Buying on Lot vs Ordering

[sybaris]

I am looking to buy a particular boat, the Azure AZ 200. The problem I'm having is most if not all dealers carry them maxed out with options. <br /><br /> Is special ordering from a dealer a hassle?

 

[tommays]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

Its a hard time of year to special order a boat there not that hungry right now VS january when nothings selling <br /><br />BUT its your money and you should get what you want, your going to have to have a sitdown with a dealer and see what can be done ,how long it would take ,how much money you would really save VS buying what they have in stock<br /><br />It can be a LOT like buying a car if i wait till august i GET a much better deal with no fight at all they just want it gone <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[KCook]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

If the dealer is over stocked then you may get a better discount on the boat in stock. In the end pricing is all up to the dealer.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[Solittle]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

Welcome sy -<br /><br />The reason dealers do that is that is where much of their profit comes from. The mark-up on options is astronomical. Wheel & deel as Kelly & tommays have advised.

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

Another good technique, is to keep a mental count of what inventory they have had for awhile. The longer a boat(or car) has been on the lot, the more they want it gone. If you can keep track a bit, you can pick out that one boat, and haggle with them. The longer a boat(or any big ticket item) sits, the more money it costs the dealer to have it there. They don't own them usually, the bank does. And banks charge interest on that service.

 

[sybaris]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

Reminds me of the time I went to buy a used 2000 Mercury Cougar in '01. Started out at 25k but I got them down to 15K+ which was near N.A.D.A.. Unfortunately the Azures are a new breed and the buying guides don't list them, at least the ones I've seen. So I'm kinda without reference when trying to wheel n deal.<br /><br />Yes, I've kept track of a couple that seem to have been on the lot for a while and I'm guessing because they're perceived to be underpowered. The AZ200 weighs in near 4000 dry and the lot queens have 220hp or less engines in them.

 

[KCook]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

Even when a model is listed in the guides it's still not a precise figure. Very different from the car market. Your best bet is to compare prices with similar boats in your area. Such as the deckboats by Chaparral, Crownline, Four Winns, Kayot, and Sea Ray.<br /><br />That 220HP rating can be applied to either a 4.3L V6 or a 5L V8. The 5L should be Ok (especially with dual prop drive), I would be skeptical of the 4.3L with this much boat. Of course a 260-270HP motor would be preferable.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[blouderback]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

There won't be much wiggle room on the part of the dealer as far as price goes for a boat you order. There is no incentive for him to "get it off his books", so he's less likely to give you any discounts, other than factory discounts. However, if he has a boat in stock for a longer period of time, it's costing him money to keep it there, and he'll be more likely to give you a discount to get out from under it.

 

[KCook]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

An Azure thread on another site -<br /><br /> http://www.boatingabc.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/1/5568

 

[BillP]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

Lower prices come with ordering because you can negotiate EVERYTHING. It costs little for a dealer to make a phone call and do the paperwork. Compared to dealing with keeping a new boat in inventory, ordering is the easiest money a dealer can make.

 

[6 balls]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

one thing to remember is the dealer pays so much for the boat the figure is the same for the one they would be ordering or the one they already have sitting on the floor. The lowest you are going to be able to buy the boat for is what the dealer paid for it. No dealer will lose money on a boat. No with that being said the dealer is more likely to give up more of the profit on a boat that is sitting on his lot burning up his floorplan then for a boat he will have to order i say work with what is there unless there is something you really need or want that is not on the boat that is in stock. One other thing you may want to check out is the possiblity of a dealer tradeing another for the boat you want that is done all the time in the car busines

 

[sybaris]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

Thanks for all the advice.<br />I'm going to order it. It'll take about 6 weeks but then I need to get a boat lift ordered and put together. <br />I've contacted about a dozen dealers and the difference between the price quoted for ordering and all others on the lot has varied 5-12K.

 

[sybaris]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

Originally posted by KCook:<br /> <br />That 220HP rating can be applied to either a 4.3L V6 or a 5L V8. The 5L should be Ok (especially with dual prop drive), I would be skeptical of the 4.3L with this much boat. Of course a 260-270HP motor would be preferable.<br /><br />Kelly

Goin with the 5.0L V-8<br /><br />Interesting data. Thanks for the tip!!<br /><br />I went to the Mercury website and ran through their prop selector. The results always came back with the boat/weight being too much for the 5.0L with a single prop drive. I put in dual and it came back with your suggestion. Even with the 5.0MPI 260 hp offered in single drive it said it wasn't enough engine for the boat.<br /><br />I'm ignorant about the dual-prop drive. Is that where you get into the Bravo 3 lower unit??

 

[KCook]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

Yes, the Bravo III drive is Merc's dual prop model. Here is another thread on what dual prop drives do for you - To Duo or Not to Duo Prop <br /><br />Kelly

 

[tommays]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

I am haveing a hard time believeing a 20' boat would be underpowered with a 5.0 drive package do they even offer it with a 5.7 ?<br /><br />The merc duo prop sets are crazy expensive if your thinking of going that way<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[KCook]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

Deckboats are typically on the hefty side, and Azure is no exception -<br /><br /> http://www.azureboats.com/az200.htm <br /><br />The weight given is 3620 lbs, more in line with a 21' bowrider.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[sybaris]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

Originally posted by tommays:<br /> I am haveing a hard time believeing a 20' boat would be underpowered with a 5.0 drive package do they even offer it with a 5.7 ?<br /><br />The merc duo prop sets are crazy expensive if your thinking of going that way<br /><br /><br />tommays

Top HP engine for the AZ200 is 300. Weighs in around 5000# with a skier, fuel, say 4 passengers. <br />I inquired to the manufacturer about the 5.0L carbed with dual prop and they came back saying that configuration is highly recommended. Goes along with the Merc results on their prop selector page. <br /><br />

 

[sybaris2]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

I spoke too soon.<br />I've been given a quote on an AZ200 that would be about $2,500 less than if I ordered it AND has about $3,000 worth of options that would be nice but not necessary to have. Thing is, it probably has an Alpha drive. Haven't heard back from the dealer on what drive it has yet.<br /><br />Difference between Alpha's and B3's is $800-$1K stock, not including the prop. Including the prop and labor to swap out lower units I still might be under the next best quote.<br /><br />Anyone have any experience with getting lower units swapped out?

 

[tommays]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

Your not going to get and alpha swapped with a bravo <br /><br />everything is different even the raw water pump NOT just the drive <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[KCook]

Re: Buying on Lot vs Ordering

Tommays is right, Alpha can NOT be swapped with Bravo. If you get serious about one of the boats in stock, then get a demo on the water to be sure the power package is strong enough for you. To me it seems pretty odd that this dealer does not include prop(s) in his pricing.<br /><br />Kelly