www.iFourWinns.com

As some of you know, I have a post in the Horizon section about an 03 FW that I've decided to pass on buying. I am now thinking of waiting till late fall or winter to buy a new boat. In January of this year I bought an 08 Ford truck for 15 grand off sticker and wonder if it could work that way with a boat (never bought or owned a boat before). Just thinking now that with as much as I'd spend on a newer used boat, could I get a great deal on a 08 or 09 in 2010? Any advice or tips appreciated.

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2003 Four Winns Horizon 210
VP 5.0 GXI SX
"THE GREEN HORNET"

We bought our 08 H220 in Dec 08 and got an incredible deal (over $25K off sticker - the economy was just starting to tank when we bought it) since it was nearly a year old and had been sitting on the lot for over 11 months. You can't be as picky if you are looking for a great deal though. If you can, hold out as long as you can because no one sells that many boats in the winter (unless you live in a tropical climate) so they may be more willing to deal with you. Also, don't be in a hurry and search the internet everyday and keep tabs on what boats are going for. Shop around and don't be afraid to drive 500+ miles to pick up a boat either. Competition is your friend, especially if you are willing to drive a little to get a good deal. Good luck!!!

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2008 H220 Frenzy - 5.7L VP SX Drive
2013 Tahoe LTZ Tow Vehicle (admiral's ride)
2011 Ford F150 XLT Ecoboost Tow Vehicle

Oh yeah, one more thing... DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT WALK INTO A DEALERSHIP AND TALK TO ANYONE. Stay out of the showroom and do EVERYTHING over email. Do not use a phone either. I've purchased my last 2 vehicles this way and my H220 FW's. By doing so, they can't see your facial reactions and you can't see their's. When you eventually get to the offer, don't be afraid to low-ball them...BIGTIME low-ball them. You don't know them and you won't see their face when they hear your offer. This takes the emotions completely out of the picture. There's always another dealer down the road who will work with you.

That's the beauty of a sour economy... YOU have ALL the power!!!

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2008 H220 Frenzy - 5.7L VP SX Drive
2013 Tahoe LTZ Tow Vehicle (admiral's ride)
2011 Ford F150 XLT Ecoboost Tow Vehicle

Right now, most all dealers are so hard hit, there are deals everywhere.

Find the boat you want - and go after it.

jacknbella is right about containing your 'love' for any one particular boat. Be ready to move on.

Bigger boats -- 30-35% off sticker is pretty easy these days (sometimes more, or at least a bunch of 'free stuff'. For smaller boats --- maybe 25-30%.

Good luck! Keep us posted!

Check with the guys at Winnisquam Marine - they always have low prices, inventory in stock, and great service!

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

For sure take your time and shop around and don't be afraid to travel to get the right deal. I went 300 miles each way to pick my boat up, but got a great deal.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

I would be very careful about beating all the profit out of the deal. I know it can be done, I've done it, but I learned that letting them make a few dollars on the deal can mean the difference between you sitting out several weekends for warranty or repair work or getting your boat back fast and enjoying it. The summers are short enough when you love boating and you don't want to spend a couple of great weekends waiting for the phone to ring telling you your boat is finally ready because the dealer is now paying you back for being an "A hole". Everyone deserves to make a buck for their work, and I know from experience that this pays off in the long run.

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Steve K
1993 Four Winns 210 Horizon
5.8L EFI OMC

I agree 100% Steve. Face to Face is the proper way to make a deal if at all possible. E-mail shoppers are like strangers when they walk into the dealer for service, knowone has ever seen them before. They get serviced last. Or when time permits.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

My wife and I bought an 08 318 Vista last month and saved thousands (80K) because Four Winns needs to get them off the books as well

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King Of Battle
2007 318 Vista
2003 254 Monterey
2003 Fisher F/S

Hey King - not to hijack the thread (maybe start a new one) -- but fill us in on your new 318? Where ya from?

We picked up our 08 318 in a similar circumstance!

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

I recently bought an 08' F204. I first contacted the dealer via phone and email and they gave me a price. Once I visited them with my old boat, they gave me a better price and more than I expected for my old boat... more than book value actually. I ended up getting the new boat for 35% off of retail price. I drove 340 miles roundtrip to make the deal. I know this is a Horizon forum, but I was also looking at some similarly priced 08' H210s and they would have given me the same deal on those. You have to remember that the boating industry is hurting in this economy and unlike cars... no one NEEDS a boat!

BTW, my old boat was a 97' Larson 186 LXI

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2008 FW F204 - 5.0 VP "Stand On It"
Former Boat: Larson 186 LXI - 4.3 VP

I did my deal for the 260H in January about the time my dealer picked up FourWinns. Although it is a 2007 model it was never sold (brochure boat) and is considered new. End of the deal was near 50% off list of an 09 (with a few extras added in as well). I had the salesperson and the Four Winns rep working the deal with me just to get it off of Four Winns books. It seems that my dealer picked up all the stock of another local dealer who had gone out of business in fall '08 and Four Winns was working with them to get rid of that inventory. Plus I ended up with a good deal on my trade (95 Sea Ray) which the dealer moved in about two weeks. Point is: dealers need to have clean used boats to sell right now...they need inventory. Also, work with the Four Winns factory rep...they can offer the dealer one-ff incentives to move boats...especially '08s.

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Optimus Prime
Now: 2007 Horizon 260, (2007/08 brochure boat)
Previous: 1995 Sea Ray Signature Select 220
Tow: '07 Avalanche LTZ
Seattle and Chelan, WA

I am knew to the forum -- I realize this thread is a little old but thought I'd throw out a question. Obviously, the best deals are on boats that have been sitting in
the showroom, the dealers really want to get rid of them. However, I was wondering if anyone has had much success special ordering a boat through the dealer?
I currently have a '99 FW 190 that I bought that way and I still got a screamin' deal (albeit 10 yrs ago). My plan is to go to the boat show this winter and make
an offer at least 30% below MSRP on a '10 H220SS. There is no way that the dealer is going to have one configured exactly like I want at the show. If I can get them to order me one for anywhere between 15 - 20% below MSRP I'll be happy. This is the same dealer that I've had service my current boat for the last 10 years, and I've spent quite a bit of $$ in their store, which I will continue to do if they make the right deal. Thoughts??

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JD
Colorado Springs, Colorado

2008 H210 SS w/6.2L, 320 HP Merc
1999 Horizon 190 w/5.0L, 220 HP Volvo Penta (Sale Pending)
2004 Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel

Sounds like you've got it worked out!

Keep in mind that any boat built after January is going to have an extra 1500-2000 added for the new catalytic converters that are mandated... might want to be sure to figure that in.

Worst a dealer can do is say no, right?

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

You could also check your dealer's available inventory. If there is something really close.... Perhaps a 220SS, and you want (or in my case didn't want) the tower/arch maybe you can wheel and deal. They can always accesorize an otherwise "plain" boat.

In my case I wanted a Red 210SS 350 mag without the tower. On the lot they had the Black 210SS 6.2L with the tower, and gave it to me for about 30% under MSRP.

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Walt B
"Debt-Charged"
Black '07 H210SS
6.2L Bravo One turning a 21P HIFive
Wakeboard Tower with Perfect Pass Stargazer version
Missouri River; Kansas City, Mo.

Thx cougarcruiser. I had not heard about the new catalytic converters. I will reluctantly figure that into the price.

Cheers

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JD
Colorado Springs, Colorado

2008 H210 SS w/6.2L, 320 HP Merc
1999 Horizon 190 w/5.0L, 220 HP Volvo Penta (Sale Pending)
2004 Dodge Cummins Turbo Diesel