Parker 2520 XL Order new 2005 or buy 2004 out of state?

[ESfishdoc]

As you know, buying a new boat is agonizing at times. So far all the suggestions from people on this forum have been great. Here is another request.

Examine the options and tell me what you would do and why.

I’m going to be choosing between ordering locally a Parker 2520XL 2005 or buying a new 2004 2520XL from an out of state dealer. Assuming the same boat, same engine (F225), same trailer and same options…… How much less should the 2004 model be to make it advantageous to make the purchase out of state?

Factors that I’ve identified:

1. 661 miles away versus 30 miles
2. boat is there on the lot versus 12 week wait
3. 2004 versus 2005
4. warranty service with a smile versus frown?
5. as is with current options versus ordering precisely what I want.

Any thoughts? Certainly only a couple of thousand cheaper would get eaten up by getting the boat home…… but 5K…… 7K…… 10K cheaper. What is the cut point for leaving the local dealer behind?

Help!

[Glen E]

at least 10K for me to leave my local dealer behind...

[ESfishdoc]

Gersly.... you win the prize for the quickest response..... what is the prize......a ride on my new Parker!

Thanks......

[Glen E]

actually maybe more than 10K to buy outta town...a competant local dealer is worth a ton - especially if the local is a big parker deraler ..the bigger the dealer the more pull with the factory when it come to warranty...

[Megabyte]

2. boat is there on the lot versus 12 week wait

Is the boat on the lot a boat that you can enjoy, or... can you wait 12 weeks for a new boat and be happier?

[danielb]

let's see to ghet the boat (2004) home it would cost say $1k) and save alot for next seasons gas, you got your baby to play with all winter. you save a bundle, some of which you might want to share with your honey. the local dealer does not need to know where you got it from,right? If they ask tell them you inherited it or whatever.
for service etc. take it local and be happy.
get the boat surveyed for peace of mind and go for it, life is to short to sweat the little stuff.

[ESfishdoc]

Silly question..... do you get a new boat surveyed?

[ESfishdoc]

Megabyte...... I tried sending a PM but I don't think that is working for me. I know that in the past you were thinking about adding a 2nd steering station to your boat.

The boat on the lot has no second steering station. I believe if I ordered a new boat I would order the 2nd steering station...... and of course I could add a station to the 2004.

From reading previous threads I've seen where you have considered adding a station. Did you ever do it? What do you estimate the cost to be?

Right now the difference in the two boats is 5K without the steering station. If I order the boat new with a 2nd station I pay a total of 7K more....... is it worth it?

This Sunday I'll probably know when I'm in Florida.

[Megabyte]

I do not have the rear steering station... yet. That is the only option that my boat doesn't have, but it is something that I do plan to add - it just might not happen this year.

I got an estimated price of $3k to add the free standing rear station, which would include the pedistal, the steering, and replacing the engine controls and cables. One benefit to having the rear station added later is that you get to place it where you want it. I would center mine half way back in the cockpit so that I'd be standing in the rear third of the cockpit while driving.

In my case, I want the rear station so I can tend my lines while trolling, to drive the boat while doing the run-and-gun LTJ, and to stay off the bridge pilings and rockpiles while casting from the cockpit.

Moving between the helm and the cockpit is easier on my boat than most 2520's because of the open-back pilothouse, but I'd still like the ability to drive her from the cockpit at some point in my future. It just isn't in the budget right now.

[fmeyer2]

For a 5000.00 difference .. I would buy locally. Nothing like having a guy close if you need help or need to be pushed to the front of the repair line.

[BobT]

I think I would talk to the "local dealer" and tell him about the other boat etc.
He may make it worthwhile to stay local.

Good Luck!

[HookMan]

If both are identical rigs then it depends on Price & Parker. The 04 should be considered a Leftover, it must be new & never titled.

I would talk with Parker regarding their position on having warrenty work and service at any dealer of your choice. Also, will Parker intercede if you have any problems with dealer cooperation.

The 04 should be discounted 5-8% (IMO). If you do purchase Out of Town then spend a full day in the water & going over everything.

Find out about Sales Tax and registration expenses if this will be an Out of State purchase. You should only be required to pay your home states Sales Tax and title fees.

After you have a sales agreement in hand for your review and signature, photo copy and mark out all details on Selling dealer and Hull ID. Walk into local dealer and give them a chance to near match the price on the Parker you will have to wait for.

This worked for me, purchased Out of State and saved alot of bucks.

[Bill_N]

If you oder the boat consider going to the F250. A friend has a 23 with the F225. Seems to struggle getting out of the hole. Good Luck!

[round2it]

Even tho factory rigged with Yammy, several dealers will put the power of your choice on the transom. Put the ETEC 250 on and you'll have a sweet package with the power to get out of the hole. Without a doubt.

[Reel-Rascals]

round2it - 12/9/2004 5:58 PM
Put the ETEC 250 on and you'll have a sweet package with the power to get out of the hole. Without a doubt.

That too would be my power of choice !

[atom]

Assuming that I had done all my negotiating with both dealers and the choice was a 5k-7k dollar difference, I would choose the '04. Per the company motto "simple, safe, seaworthy". I fish a 2002 2510dv, 400 hours, not a single Parker issue: gelcoat crack, broken seat, snapped bolt, creaking T-top...nothing. Any Yamaha dealer will service the engine and be more than happy to deal with you. Buy parts and supplies from that dealer to establish a relationship, have them do the 10 hour, 100 hour service. Get to know their names....play the game and save the money. imo

[skypoke]

If I thought I was going to have enough warranty issues to justify spending another 7K for one new boat vs another...I'd look at another brand. Suggest a little more aggressive negos with the local dealer. If he is the wood which will not bend, go for the cheaper one. Hard to see where a Parker would have many problems.

Chuck

[Reel-Rascals]

atom - 12/9/2004 9:09 PM
I fish a 2002 2510dv, 400 hours, not a single Parker issue: gelcoat crack, broken seat, snapped bolt, creaking T-top...nothing.

Gotcha beat ... I run a '92 Parker SC, not one gelcoat stress crack one the hull, even after a 32' druiser crashed into me and wiped out the starboard bowrail. It literally tore the heavy gauge 1" SS tubing off of the chain plates, twisting them up off the gunnel ... and not one strss crack anywhere.

[ESfishdoc]

I'm not real worried about issues with Parker...... I feel confident they have a great prodcut and will stand behind what they build........ it is more of an ease of access should I need them. There is also a question of electronics. I would like to bundle about 6K worth of electronics into the price of the new boat. If I have all this done in Florida and then bring the boat home and have problems, I don't have the dealer who did the work to fall back on.

Well I'm off to Tampa in a few hours. We will detour to Fernandina Beach for a day and back home late Monday.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Thanks for all the input.

Richard

[Stanooch47]

I believe that when you go to sell the boats, the '04 will bring in about $4K less than the '05. Therefore, to make it worthwhile, the '04 would
have to be discounted well more than $4K - something like maybe $8K.
I'd get the '05 and order it with the options that I wanted. Talk to the local dealer.

.....Nooch