Nada Used Outboard Prices

[EvanT123]

Hey guys looking for some advice on the above. They have a suggested retail, low retail and average retail. There is quite a gap between the suggested retail and the low average retail.

An example.

http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/1989/Mercury/25EL/20008919/Outboard-Motors-Values

I'm looking at this motor and the gentleman is asking $1500. I can't tell based on the nada if this a decent deal or not. Thanks for any advice.

[Jig Man]

Most people who have something like that have it way over valued.  They are not realistic in what something like that is really worth.  $1500 is an insane asking price for a small motor that is 25 years old.  If it is pristine $700 should be top dollar and that is probably too high.

[EvanT123]

Most people who have something like that have it way over valued. They are not realistic in what something like that is really worth. $1500 is an insane asking price for a small motor that is 25 years old. If it is pristine $700 should be top dollar and that is probably too high.

I kind of had that feeling. Boat and motor prices around here an insane. People want 3-4 grand for a rusted rotted 12 foot boat with a beat motor. I don't get it.

[J Francho]

Another $1000, and you can probably get a brand new 4-stroke and a warranty.  It's not worth more than $600.

[J Francho]

BTW, suggested retail on NADA is what they were new.  In that case, that's what it cost brand new 26 years ago.

[EvanT123]

Thanks guys. Just offered the guy $600 he turned it down. As they say " there is a sucker born every minute" especially on Craigslist.

[zachb34]

1500 is a joke I got my 2014 15 horse for 1800 brand new with a warranty

[WIGuide]

There is a sucker born every minute, but you don't have to be one of them. I think that price is on the high side especially for the year. Unfortunately, the reason prices are so high is because the price of new has went through the roof. A new 25 hp 4 stroke list price is $4,705. Now I'm sure you can get them cheaper than that as it's just suggested list, but you're still looking at over 3 grand for new. The price of boats has followed too. If you're looking at matching that motor to a new 16' jon boat or 14' v-hull and trailer you're going to be spending between $7,000 - $10,000. That is priced without electronics, battery, gas tank or lines, or frills of any kind. People with used stuff when looking to sell check out the price of new and price and figure if a new one is worth that much then theirs has to be worth more than what most of us think is reasonable. 

[Way2slow]

Two years I found that same motor for a friend of mine, in a 1986 model that was like brand new, for $500. It had not been run in 15 years and the original prop that came on it barely had a few scratches on it. I rebuilt the carb and fuel pump, replaced the fuel lines and water pump impeller because it had not been run in so long, and it was like a new motor when I finished. There is no way on gods green earth I would even pay half what you say he wants.

$600 was more than a fair offer and if he was not willing to negotiate on that offer, you did the right thing in walking away from it.

[Boatman]

The reason those old motors are so expensive is that the NEW small motors are all four stroke and VERY expensive. a lot of people are looking for a motor for around $1,000-$1,500 because a new 15 -25 horse motor will run between $2500-$4500. I would have not giiven him $1500 but do not be suprised if he does sell it for over $1,000. Depends on how bad you want it and how bad he needs to sell it. I work in sales at a large marine dealership and we have guys coming in all the time looking for just what that guy had.