Parts Boat Value

[Ryan50]

Hello all. I am about to make an offer on a rotten 87 Sunbird on a rusted out trailer because it has a good 3.0 engine and Alpha 1 outdrive (I need the engine). It runs great, all gauges work, appears to shift well and has new prop. I doubt however, that it will even float. He is asking $1000, I am considering offering $500. How much should I be willing to pay? My plan is to remove engine and outdrive and junk the rest. Any help or guidance is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ryan

 

[Bondo]

Re: Parts Boat Value

Ayuh,... I wouldn't give 'im anymore than you say yer gonna offer...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Parts Boat Value

$500 sounds fair. That boat is only worth about $2k in good condition so with a junk hull his $1k is a little high (though not an unreasonable "starting point" if you know what I mean).

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Parts Boat Value

If you have to take the whole thing I'd offer him a couple hundred max, going to be expensive to get rid of the hull and everything else.

 

[Ryan50]

Re: Parts Boat Value

Thanks for your help. I am going to offer 3 to 4 hundred. If the block turns out to be cracked or something, maybe I can recoup some $ with the sale of the outdrive.

 

[Ryan50]

Re: Parts Boat Value

Well I offered $400 and he was matter of fact in stating that he will take no less than $600. I was willing to give $500. I am hesitant to give $600, but it will get me on the water. What should I do?

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Parts Boat Value

If like you said, if the block is cracked and the whole deal goes south, can you get $600 for the outdrive? I think if you really need it, stick to your original $500 and let him deal with it.

 

[Ryan50]

Re: Parts Boat Value

I understand that if the engine turns out to have a cracked block once its on the lake, I'll never recoup all $600 from the outdrive and other spares. However, it would minimize my loss to a degree. I do not want to gamble with more than $500, but $600 and several afternoons and weekends I can afford, $2000 for a new engine I cannot. I've got to think about it. I sure hate to miss this weekend to work on it.

 

[Stamey]

Re: Parts Boat Value

Well, there's always what it's worth, being what the general population would/has paid for a given item in a given condition, then there's what it's worth to you. If deals on engines are hard to come by in your area and you want to get on the water, it makes this worth a bit more to YOU. If you can walk away, offer what you think you can salvage out of it and walk away if it isn't accepted. In many cases, if he has your number, he'll be calling you later, unless someone else comes along and sees a diamond in the rough somewhere in that heap.
Do you think you can get anything out of the trailer?
You might get 300-500 for the outdrive, depending on the buyer and condition of the outdrive. Have you pulled the plug on it to see what the lube inside looks like? If it's milky you can plan on getting less for that.
Why would you be suspecting the block could be cracked? Do you know it hasn't been winterized properly? Can you see evidence on the block?
I went to look at a Chaparral advertised for 1200.00 once, needing a ring gear. Couldn't turn over the engine due to the bad ring gear. I crawled all around that engine with a flashlight looking for damage. Couldn't see any on the block, but I saw evidence of leakage in the exhaust elbows and what appeared to be the repair of cracks in one manifold with silicone sealer, so I pulled out my knife and scraped it away. My knife hung on the edge of the crack that wasn't obvious just by looking at it. I questioned the seller about the winterization of the boat and he didn't give the answers I expected so I knew it wasn't winterized properly and I dropped my offer by over half of asking price, telling him why I had done so. He took it, and I got a parts boat with a tandem axle trailer that I'm confident I can sell or use, what appears to be a perfect outdrive, judging from the fluid, and what turned out to be a 350 Mercruiser with water in the cylinders for who-knows how long. I planned on the engine being junk when I bought it, but it would have been icing on the cake if I was wrong.

So, the question is, can you walk away and find another deal?

Chris

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Parts Boat Value

I sure hate to miss this weekend to work on it.

Pay the man the $600. You can get that or close outta a trailer and other parts (windshield, controls, gauges maybe, etc etc)

 

[Ryan50]

Re: Parts Boat Value

The owner just picked it up a month ago thinking it would be restorable. He has no idea if it was winterized, but no signs of water in oil after 15 minutes on muffs. I think I'm going to offer 500 and pay 600 if he refuses any less. These engines are not easy to come by around here, and I am fortunate enough to have a fully equiped auto restoration shop at my disposal (thanks to FIL). I wish I could afford a new engine, but just can't justify it with new baby on way. The glass in it is good, controls are good, gauges are good, outdrive is good-I did not pull drain plug-but I will prior to dragging it away, there may be a little value in the trailer but it needs work. Thanks to everyone for the sound advice. I will post pics of this heap if it works out.

Ryan