Fair Price 2003 Chaparral 180 SSE

[Jimmo2112]

I am in the market for my first boat and have been looking for about 3 weeks. Not much availble and most boats seem over priced. Live in WI.

Looking at a 2002 180 SSE with 3L Merc with 250 hours. 1 owner. All maintenance records. Boat looks clean.

I have talked them down to $6750, seems like a very good deal. Trailer, Bimini top.

Taking it out for a spin tomorrow.

Any thoughts on the price would be appreciated.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Fair Price 2003 Chaparral 180 SSE

Which is it, a 2002 or a 2003?

3.0 in an 18' boat is right at the limit for what most consider "good" or "reasonable" performance.

Please be aware that in the model years you are looking at, Chaparral made two different lines of boats, the SSi and the SSe. The SSi is the higher quality boat, the SSe is their "entry level" series.
For example, in 2001 I was going to buy either a 20'SSe cuddy with a 5.0 V8 or an 18' SSi bowrider with a 4.3 V6, and they were the same exact price. So that gives you an idea how much "value" can vary between the lines.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Fair Price 2003 Chaparral 180 SSE

NADA High Retail on a 2002 with that engine is $6885. That's without a trailer. Please note, that engine was a $1735 Deduction, compared to the 4.3 V6.

 

[Jimmo2112]

Re: Fair Price 2002 Chaparral 180 SSE

Re: Fair Price 2002 Chaparral 180 SSE

Sorrry - title is wrong - it is 2002

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Fair Price 2002 Chaparral 180 SSE

Re: Fair Price 2002 Chaparral 180 SSE

You can change the title. Just go to your first post, click the edit pictogram, and it'll let you change the title.
The boat might indeed be worth the price you are negotiating. But do you plan to have 4-5 adults on board all the time? Do you want to do a lot of wakeboarding? If so, the 3.0 is not going to satisfy you.

 

[jkust]

Re: Fair Price 2003 Chaparral 180 SSE

Which is it, a 2002 or a 2003?

3.0 in an 18' boat is right at the limit for what most consider "good" or "reasonable" performance.

Please be aware that in the model years you are looking at, Chaparral made two different lines of boats, the SSi and the SSe. The SSi is the higher quality boat, the SSe is their "entry level" series.
For example, in 2001 I was going to buy either a 20'SSe cuddy with a 5.0 V8 or an 18' SSi bowrider with a 4.3 V6, and they were the same exact price. So that gives you an idea how much "value" can vary between the lines.

Some in 02 and 03 were actually designated as SS models in between the SSe and SSi line. (see my sig) Then in 2004 they (ss) became rebadged SSi models. Those early 2000's were model designation and hull design transition years. The SSe were on the lower end, the SS's were top notch (much larger gas tanks than average, SS hardware, built in anchor locker, fiberglass sole and snap out carpet, high end gauges, well thought out design) and SSI's had just a few extra little, upscale toches and features putting them in luxuy boat territory (bigger power options, more speakers, docking lights, ss bow rails instead of handles, very heavy dry weights compared to competitive brands, etc). Of course as you go up in boat length from the tiny 18 footers to the over 20 foot class (where most of the SSi line was), there is simply more room to include more stuff. I would stear clear of the SSe line and look for the SS or SSi. Really a big difference between them and not all that much more $ in the used market.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Fair Price 2003 Chaparral 180 SSE

You points are fine, but as he clearly stated in his original post, it's an SSe. That's the lower level boat, regardless of the existence of an SS in between or a name change.
SSe = entry model line of boat, in a Chaparral.