Need new OMC Cobra 3.0 outdrive. Question: rebuilt or used Craigslist??

[Starfire150]

I have a 1989 Bayliner 1950 Capri and froze the outdrive. Question is should I buy a used one off Craigslist $450 or get a rebuilt one from a marina $1,650 with a 1 year warranty?

 

[southkogs]

Only you can really answer that question ...

I've purchased a complete sterndrive off Craigslist and I've bought an upper gear case from a salvage yard. In both cases I boiled it down to 1) that's where I could get the parts, 2) I was convinced enough to take the risk on the money and 3) I didn't think it was worth it spending over half the boat's value on a remanufactured/reconditioned drive.

So for me, I'd probably risk the used one on my old boat. Current boat, I might be more inclined to do a rebuilt drive, but ... I don't wanna' know the answer to that question yet

 

[Scott Danforth]

I bought a complete OMC 400 stringer upper and lower..... And still needed to buy two vertical drive shafts and a prop shaft. Bought an entire boat and trailer combination that only needed points and made a killing, bought a new crate motor that only lasted 6 months before the oil pump died.

The Used drive may be perfect....or not. The rebuilt drive may be fully gone thru, or was a seal and a krylon job.... However it does come with a warranty. Only you can answer the question of used or rebuilt