Verado 'Pacemaker' Remans - great price. Good Deal?

[Deanster]

Hi all. I'm looking at a repower for my 1989 27' Boston Whaler, which currently has 2x 1995 Johnson 300HP V8 outboards, which weren't great engines on day one, and are now super-smoky, gas guzzling, etc.

I've been leaning towards E-TEC, as they seem like a great combo of power, fuel efficiency, weight, low-maintenance, etc. However, BRP is mighty proud of their products, and twin 250's will cost right at $30K for a pair through Ed's Marine, and nearly $40K installed through a local Evinrude Dealer whom I visited today. Even in the inflated pricing world of outboards, this seems a little out of control. Going through my dealer, I'd be well over $40K after state taxes, etc.

Surfing around, I noticed that at least one place has 'Verado Pacemaker' at really incredible prices. 250's are $12K each!

I'm not really a fan of the Verado concept - super heavy, and the 'charger has just GOT to be a problem somewhere down the line, but at those prices, I'm seriously re-thinking my opinion. The 'Pacemaker' moniker is what Merc applies to Remanufactured engines, which will come with the full 3-year factory warranty. Most of the other Verado negatives aren't really a big deal for me - I'm going to have to install new gauges, throttle, etc. in any case, and the Merc stuff isn't much different in price from the E-TEC versions...

Any thoughts? I've had great luck with Remanufactured or Refurb items of all kinds in the past, but modern outboards are a little touchy - I'm looking at a net savings of nearly $10,000, which is... enough to get my attention.

[savage]

I asked the guys at the Mercury display at the recent boat show, "What is a pacemaker?"
They told me that pacemakers are a factory returned, warranty returned, or dealer rejected motor. It's not a demo, guide, or new unit. There are not many of them, only a few of the largest dealers around the country can get them.

[SeaJay]

dealer rejected motor, sounds charming.

[flats392]

if you are looking for saving $$$.
i would look into the Evinrude 250 DI (direct injection) motors not the E-Tec.

Prices...
Verado PM 250 $ 12,000 (3 yr warranty)...........................
Rude 250 DI $12,500 +/- (i think 7 yr warranty)............
Suzi 250 $13,000 (6 yr warranty)............................
Yami 250 4's $13,500 (3 yr warranty)...........................
Rude 250 E-tec $15,000 (7 yr warranty)...........................
opti 250 $ 16,000 (3 yr warranty)..........................
Verado 250 $ 18,000 (i think 3 yr warranty)................

[kodiackid]

Don't be misled by the e-tec 7-year warranty--make sure it's all factory, if it's insurance after 3 or 4 years (as it was for awhile, not sure what situation is now), then it becomes a crap shoot and the winner has the best lawyer, the warranty on any engine is only really good if it's coming direct from the factory

[itwonder]

flats392 - 3/21/2006 9:24 AM
Prices...
Verado PM 250 $ 12,000 (3 yr warranty)...........................
Rude 250 DI $12,500 +/- (i think 7 yr warranty)............
Suzi 250 $13,000 (6 yr warranty)............................
Yami 250 4's $13,500 (3 yr warranty)...........................
Rude 250 E-tec $15,000 (7 yr warranty)...........................
opti 250 $ 16,000 (3 yr warranty)..........................
Verado 250 $ 18,000 (i think 3 yr warranty)................

The Suzi 250 seems like a no brainer to me. Only $1K more for 3 more year warranty and brand new compared to Verado PM. Rude 250 DI OK, but for resale it's a negative point because it will be labeled old technology. Last year when I bought my Dusky, Suzi and e-tec were same price. This year Suzi is a lot less. I'd have a Suzi if buying this year, it's a great motor.

[sundancekid]

I think it's funny that Flats posts discounted sales numbers for everything except Merc, which is listed at retail. New 225 Optis can be found for 12,900 and 250 Verados for 15,900. Are Pacemakers not elligible for the 6 year warranty? Also, read the fine print on the E-Tec warranty, FPC takes over the last 4 years of it which means you have to pay a deductible. The Merc warranty is non-declining and factory backed through the whole duration. I think Pacemakers are a no brainer, you get full warranty at a greatly reduced price on a like new engine!

[Deanster]

OK - just talked to a very helpful lady at Ed's Marine - she says that on the Verado Pacemakers, Merc is offering only a ONE YEAR warranty, and that they will NOT allow purchase of a factory extended warranty. Not enough tea in China to get me to touch a Verado under those conditions, at any price. Speaks volumes about Merc's confidence in these engines.

Secondly, Merc won't allow Ed's to ship to me here in Seattle - I assume that limitation covers all kinds of other places as well, but the nice lady didn't say that.

Soooooo... I'm back on the hunt - next stop is the Suzuki dealer, after that Honda... All I want for Labor Day is twin 250 repower for right around $30K... how hard can that be?

[Deanster]

Hi all - where are you getting the $13K price on the Suzuki 250? Just got off the phone w/ my local dealer, they're pricing at $16146 for standard rotation, $16587 for counter... they admitted to having some wiggle room, but I doubt $3000 per engine worth... I'm happy to buy online (I'd actually prefer to, given the sales tax situation), but Ed's doesn't offer the Suzuki's... any advice where to start looking?

[cgrand]

http://www.bayracer.net/boats/nm_new_motors.php

[flats392]

sundancekid - 3/21/2006 6:16 PM
I think it's funny that Flats posts discounted sales numbers for everything except Merc, which is listed at retail. New 225 Optis can be found for 12,900 and 250 Verados for 15,900. Are Pacemakers not elligible for the 6 year warranty? Also, read the fine print on the E-Tec warranty, FPC takes over the last 4 years of it which means you have to pay a deductible. The Merc warranty is non-declining and factory backed through the whole duration. I think Pacemakers are a no brainer, you get full warranty at a greatly reduced price on a like new engine!

I'm glad you find it funny..... But I got the numbers straight from Ed' marine & we are not talking about the 225 opti either.

Verado PM doesn't come with full factory warranty like you said. Shouldn't you know this info since you call yourself the largest dealer of Verado’s in the south?

Deanster - 3/21/2006 6:26 PM
she says that on the Verado Pacemakers, Merc is offering only a ONE YEAR warranty, and that they will NOT allow purchase of a factory extended warranty.
Secondly, Merc won't allow Ed's to ship to me here in Seattle - I assume that limitation covers all kinds of other places as well, but the nice lady didn't say that.

Sundance, Why don't you sell him a pair of Opti 250 or 250 Verados
for 28K????? You keep saying that you are the largest Verado dealer in the south. You should be able to give him a great deal for that reason only, right?

[flats392]

Deanster - 3/21/2006 6:39 PM

Hi all - where are you getting the $13K price on the Suzuki 250? Just got off the phone w/ my local dealer, they're pricing at $16146 for standard rotation, $16587 for counter... they admitted to having some wiggle room, but I doubt $3000 per engine worth... I'm happy to buy online (I'd actually prefer to, given the sales tax situation), but Ed's doesn't offer the Suzuki's... any advice where to start looking?

Pelican Nest in Jensen Beach Florida.
Dean sells Suzuki via the phone & the net. He has great prices on outboards.

[JeffSpencer]

Mercury is offering an additional 2 years warranty for all purchases befor mid- April. I would go with OptiMax.

[Deanster]

Thanks all -

I know the Opti's have gotten a LOT better in the last couple years, like most of the advanced two-strokes, but I had a couple of rough experiences, and am a bit Opti-shy...

Flats - appreciate the line on the Suzis! I'll give them a ring today.

[flats392]

Deanster - 3/22/2006 1:47 PM
Flats - appreciate the line on the Suzis! I'll give them a ring today.

NO PROBLEM....... Dean.

Diamond Suzuki in also has great prices on suzuki.

http://www.diamondsuzuki.com/