Expride or Loomis IMX?

[Timbuktree]

So I won some money in a Super Bowl pool and decided to spend my winnings on a new rod; namely a Shimano Expride 7'2"MH.  I ordered it, but the tentative delivery date on my order is May 10.  I happened to find a used Loomis IMX MBR 844 for sale at a local shop and it appears to be in good shape (not sure how old it is), and I can pick it up for $175.  Which is the better deal - get the used Loomis, or wait for the new Expride?

[ResoKP]

Exprideeeeeeeeeee

[Spy]

That particular flavor of Loomis is my next rod purchase be it IMX or GLX. I have the IMX in 6'6" MH and have never fished a more versatile stick. In fact I would take the MBR series over anything else just because it can do everything and do it well, important when you can only bring a couple of setups and use multiple techniques with effect. 

 

If it's of the last two variations of this model then the price is on point if using eBay as reference. Being used should provide some haggle room so try for $150ish and consider it the best purchase you'll make this year..and the next and the next. If I was closer I'd buy it myself!

[Diggy]

What lure weights and techniques are you fishing?

 

If you want a 7'2" Heavy Expride they have them on eBay from Simmons for $242. Someone in another thread says they fish 1/4oz with no probs, but it's listed at (7/16-1 1/2oz)

 

The IMX844C MBR is heavy powered also and the lure rating is 1/4-1oz

 

 

Personally, I wouldn't wait until May. I'd rather get a "barely" used rod than wait until May personally, but I'd rather move up to the Heavy Expride rather than buying the used rod. The used rod also sounds questionable from your description based on age and the condition being "good". I like my used product condition descriptions to be something more spectacular like "Splendid" ?

 

If you don't mind waiting, then wait, because it's already ordered. It may come in earlier or someone else may stock it before TWH does, assuming that's where it's from and then you can cancel the backorder.

 

edit:

 

 

[waymont]

The IMX MBR rods are fantastic. They have one of the best tapered blanks ever imho.

Excellent rods. I have never fished an expride.

[fishwizzard]

I am an enormous fan of the MBR rods and $175 is an OK/Good price on a IMX MBR 844 if the condition is good.  If the store will go down to $150 I would go for it so long as all the guides are ok and the cork is reasonable.  They only offer the MBR tapers in the EX6, GLX, Conquest lines now, so the IMXs will dry up at some point.  

[5by3]

If you’re going Loomis, just get the GLX. Imx pro is a decent rod, but not worth the money imo. There are $200-250 that outcompete it. Have not fished an Expride but they get great reviews and are always sold out at my local tackle store.

[fishwizzard]

2 hours ago, 5by3 said:

If you’re going Loomis, just get the GLX. Imx pro is a decent rod, but not worth the money imo. There are $200-250 that outcompete it. Have not fished an Expride but they get great reviews and are always sold out at my local tackle store.

I don't think they offer the MBR tapers in the new IMX Pro line, so this would be one of the older ones.  They are great rods and at $150 in good condition, I would take one over any current production rod at that price point.  

[5by3]

Oh I misread the original post. Didn’t realize it was an older Imx mbr. 

[Timbuktree]

Thanks for the help, guys - since I’m not sure about getting any more discount on the Loomis, I think I’m going to stay with Expride 

[Matt_3479]

I fish 2 imx pro rods and they have to be one of my favorite rods in my line up! Both are light, balanced, plenty of power! Would highly recommend the imx pros. 

 

I finally got my hands on a couple different expride (2 casting, 2 spinning) and now all I want is to add one to the lineup. Boy was that a nice feeling rod!

[Dan Bures]

I own the 873c Loomis and the 6'10" Expride both in M/H. The Loomis comming in at 7'2" seems to handle finesse type baits better than the Expride, maybe because of the added length. Both of these rods are excellent choices.

 

[waymont]

On 3/24/2019 at 4:53 AM, Dan Bures said:

873c Loomis

Which rod? 873 is a Loomis?

[RoLo]

 

I'm a poor reference for Loomis rods, because I divorced that brand after a warranty dispute (post Gary Loomis).

On the contrary, I'm fully onboard with Shimano rods and Shimano reels.

The Shimano Expride is by no means cheap, but rivals the Poison Adrena  

 

Roger