Buying a Dealer Demo??

[walden75]

Im hoping to sign a contract this week on a Demo CC, it has all of the features and more that I want, electronics already installed, Twin 225 Verado's and is one of my favorite boats Ive been looking at.

Has anyone ever had experiences about buying a dealer demo boat, the motors have 110hrs on em now, and I dont plan on picking the boat up till late Aug/Sept (the deal would be to put down a deposit and hold the boat till then, but with continued dealer usage) The Boat/Trailer/Electronics warranties have all begun, and will be transfered, the motors will be be registered to me 1st, so warranty will begin at time of purchase. (I worry about being able to get the Mercury Extended Warranty if they have 200+ hrs on em') I'm definently ready to get this buying part over with, and this seems like a good opurtunity for my situation, If anyone has any advice on buying Demo's and such, Im all ears.

BTW, we just left the Persian Gulf, we're done over here, Suez Canal and Mediterranian HERE WE COME!! Although Norfolk in Aug, is looking sweeter and sweeter.

Thanks for any info.

[Onewolf]

With most outboard engines you can purchase the manufacturer's 'extended' warranty right up until the regular warranty runs out.

Doug

[Mumblerone]

110 hours is nothing. In fact, they have probably done the first oil change and minor adjustments. Plus you know it runs well. Plus you get delivery now. Plus it's on warranty. Great motors, too. Welcome back. Seriously, once you make the deal...get the hours and tell them to find another DEMO. Good luck.

[gd]

I agree with Mumbles, once I put my money down I would not want them to continue to use it. Too many bad things could happen.

[Sal D.]

Putting your money down & allowing them to continue using "YOUR" boat is absoltly nuts.
Hell, the sales people could just use it everyday to go fishing in & say, hey, he said it's ok.
The extended warranty is gonna cost you alot more than you might think.
I inquired about mine & it was $2,700 for just 1 engine.
You best think about this, cause nice guys "always" finish very near to the rear when some one else is running their boat & "REALLY" dosen't care just how hard he runs it or how well it's taken care of.
Plus, if you own it, your responsible for the liabilty & if someone is hurt on "YOUR"
boat, it's your ass not theirs.
Sal.

[Glen E]

I agree - see if they can stop using the boat - congrats - you'll love the verados...email me ifyou want some addl info on the engines....glen.ersly@bmwna.com

[Frank007]

I suggest you have a surveyor take a look at the boat. A couple hundred dollars is hard to shell out, but this is a used boat. The demo boats I have seen were run hard to show the customer what the boat could take, whether it could plane on a single engine, how fast it was, etc.

Also, no question that they should stop using it as a demo once you own it.

[COOL BREEZE]

Does a dealer break in a new motor right? Get the computer readout. Save your money on the extended warrenty, that is a suckers bet.

[walden75]

Thanks for the info, the reasoning for the continued usage would be 1 to lower the price and 2 to delay taking delivery cause im 2+ months away from being in the states. The surveryor is something I will want to do, there has already been a minor accident with the boat running up on a sand bar, did some Gel coat damage to the keel right on the bow (I havent seen it first hand, only pics from my dad going to look at it)

As for the the amount of $$ down, they want 1000$ to "hold" the boat, till i return (meaning they dont sell it, but yeah it will continue to get fished) But thats the part that scrares me too, yeah i may get more money off, but I worry about the excessive use. Im sure the boat will be well taken care of, and the dealer has a great reputation, but its the other idiots out there that cause "accidents" i worry about.

I think the only way i will be able to get this boat, at a reasonable price, is to allow for the continued usage untill i return, my Dad is headed down for a test ride Friday, im hoping they will have a contract written up at that time for me to review.

We'll see......

[Afishinado]

If you're that in love with the particular boat and feel it is great deal, $1000 is not much to lock in the deal.

BTW, we just left the Persian Gulf, we're done over here, Suez Canal and Mediterranian HERE WE COME!! Although Norfolk in Aug, is looking sweeter and sweeter.
Thank You!

I remember being very excited seeing pictures of my brand new '71 red Buick GS455 ragtop sitting on the dealership lot awaiting my return from Nam.. The big surprise was when I got home, it was sitting in the driveway (the old man had a weak moment) paid for in full.

[bens2]

Get a surveyor to look over the boat as suggested.

Get their service department to do a printout on the engines. You will get one for each engine detailing the number of hours and how many hours spent at each rpm. If the recorded rpm readings exceed the manufacturers rating Mercury may consider that abuse and void the warranty but the dealer can't hide it because the diagnostic printout will show it.

Also get them to tell you and give you receipts of when the maintenance was done to prove it. If the 100hr check is due then they should be willing to do it for free in good faith.

Finally, if you decide you like it, negotiate the extended warranty on the engines for free from the dealer. Most dealers are ready to unload left over year model boats or demos for a significant price reduction.

Ben

[II UnReel]

Welcome home! We are proud of what you have done for our nation!

Please make sure that you are really getting a good deal. Is their going to be that big of a difference between this boat and a brand new ordered one? The demo boats at a dealer here are fished in SKA King Mackerel tournaments until they are sold. They are not abused at all but they are fully used. Hopefully you have sea trialed this exact boat and it will meet all your needs/expectations.