Question about buying 1988 merc 20hp

[Nick51786]

Found this on Craigslist tonight here's the post " have a Mercury 20 horse power electric start gas powered boat motor. It has the gas slide throttle and all the cables that come with it... All been tuned up and is ready to go on a boat. Asking $200 or best offer"

Now I texted him and he said he has no way to let me fire it up before I buy it, but said I can trust him that it runs I have his word on it, we've all heard that one before I know. What can I check before I buy it without firing it up. And is this just to risky and should I move on thanks for the help

Here's a pic of it

nick051786's Library | Photobucket

 

[carholme]

Re: Question about buying 1988 merc 20hp

If he says it has been "tuned up and ready to go", how did he do that without running it? If you can't run it, you are just trying to talk yourself into buying it. And I am sure you can trust him, he said so didn't he?

Gerry

 

[Greg Judge]

Re: Question about buying 1988 merc 20hp

Is it the motor in the trunk of the car or the other pic of theone running in a bucket of water?
The first one looks like a motor from 1968 not 1988 and the second one I can`t tell if its even a Mercury.
Plus don`t see water from the pee hole so he probably just screwed up that water pump.

 

[cincinnati]

Re: Question about buying 1988 merc 20hp

Is it the motor in the trunk of the car or the other pic of theone running in a bucket of water?
The first one looks like a motor from 1968 not 1988 and the second one I can`t tell if its even a Mercury.

Exactly! Classic craigslist scam. Run away.