www.iFourWinns.com

Hello Everyone,

This is our first post, but we have been lurking for about two months and have consistently been impressed with the depth of information and advice provided by members of this board. We'd like to get your opinions on our potential purchase of a new 358. To make a long story short, about five weeks ago, we negotiated with a dealer to purchase the boat. As we are first time buyers, we are fairly certain that we didn't make a great deal but we think that we did all right. Well, fast forward five weeks... We are starting to have doubts about the price given the deterioration in the markets, the credit crunch, and the fact that the market for boats has become increasingly a "buyer's" market. We have not signed the papers for the boat but we're planning to do so in the next day or so. Should we mention our concerns to the dealer (who so far has been really good) or is that inappropriate given the price was negotiated weeks ago? We feel uncomfortable appearing to take advantage of the dealer who is dealing with a bad market but we also don't want to spend more than we "should" for what is already a substantial purchase given this is a luxury item for us. Rather than ask for a reduction in price, is it more appropriate to negotiate for some freebies? In particular, we asked about a grill and the teak table in the past and were quoted MSRP which annoyed us given the size of our investment in the boat. Is this the time to ask that those things be thrown in free of charge. And, there is the matter of a $5400 extended warranty on the engines that the dealer is willing to sell to us if we accept the warranty today. Is that a place where we should be trying to negotiate given we are probably already taking a hit on the boat?

I'm sorry for the long post. Thank you in advance for any insight that you can provide.

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2008 Four Winns 358

Hi Perrys,

First of all, welcome! I have sent you a PM about your question. As you have seen on the V358 thread, there is a ton of info here based on our collective experience. It would be great to hear more about the boat you are buying and what boat you're coming out of. When the dust settles and the deal is done, you will have a terrific yacht and some fantastic boating ahead!

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Previously:
2008 V358/Volvo 5.7 GXi Inboards

I'd start by insisting that the warranty be thrown in.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

.......

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

They say that luxury items will take a very large hit but, it seems that those with resources and funds always manage to have and purchase "toys" no matter what the econmomy is like. I would be inclined to not sign the papers and look for a used boat that somebody (dealer or personal) has to get rid of. I'd be willing to bet you can save quite a bundle by doing this. Dealers will be desperate to sell some of the larger boats they have on their lots in mid March. Al local dealer here had a Silverton on his lot all last summer and sold it this past spring for $120,000 below the asking price just to get it off the yard! I think there will be some amazing deals if you keep your eyes open over this winter.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

You have all the leverage right now. If it was me, I'd walk away unless I was absolutely, 100% comfortable with the deal and with the amount I was spending. You don't want buyer's remorse right after you buy something this big. I believe that in scenarios like this, if someone is going to be disappointed, it might as well be the dealer and not you.

In all honesty, with the way the market is these days, I would hold off on ANY big ticket purchases untill we see where this economic rollercoaster ride ends up.

But if you have the means and desire to get a boat now, then haggle haggle haggle and get every penny you can out of the deal, whether it be exteneded warranties or upgrades etc..

I wouldn't give a rats ass if you had a verbal agreement on price or not with them from a few weeks ago. It means nothing. The world and its economy has changed BIG TIME since then.

Now one thing to consider. Does the dealer have the boat in stock? If not and it is a factory order, chances are you may not get as good a deal as you think since no money is being paid by the dealer in interest to keep the boat in stock.

As Millhaven suggested, look for a dealer that has one in stock, even if its a year or 2 old, you'll get a much better deal then a new factory order.

I grabbed an '06 318 from a dealer this summer that was a demo the owner personally used and he practically gave it away because his accountant told him to get it off the books. It also came with extended warranty on the engines untill 2013 plus a second canvas for it. So there are deals to be had .. you just gotta look for them

Good Luck with the purchase and keep us posted.

Cheers!

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"Kokomo"
2006 Four Winns Vista 318

Perrys -- You're new to boating and your getting the largest boat available? Something doesn't seem right with this picture... Did you look at any other boats? I think I am just jealous.

I use to be on The Hull Truth forum and there are some guy who posted to the forum that he just inherited his Grandad's Viking Yacht (or some other big boatname) and had the whole forum giving him advice. Come to find out it was just a hoax. I apologize to you if you are legit. But I just can't believe you buying the 358 Vista as your first buy. I think you should ask them to spend some time with you on the boat until your comfortable with the boat. Any idea where your going to slip the boat?

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__________________________________________

2004 268 Vista "Satisfy My Sol"

Why buy now? It's not like you'll be able to use the boat between now and next spring, right? Sure, you CAN use it but realistically you won't. That and it'll have to be winterized and that's an added first expense. So why not wait until, say, the January boat show? That's when we picked up our 348 back in '06. Took delivery of it in April and avoided having to pay for it being winterized that first winter.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Howdy,

I sure hate to say this but since you haven't "signed on the dotted line" AND you have no earnest money on the deal?

I would tell the dealer that in view of the market dump I must walk away and reconsider the deal.

It's a drastic thing to do but it's your money!

You are the one in control.


Good luck on what ever you do!!


Rick

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1987 Four Winns Liberator 211, formerly OMC 460 King Kobra powered, replaced in 2006 by a 1997 Mercruiser 454/Bravo III

Hi Perrys: Good luck. Try a few other places to get some idea of the
price you paid is reasonable. Don't forget boating is very enjoyable with a lot of rewards but it isn't cheap either. If you are sweating this now, start to add up insurance, slip fees, storage, fuel. You may be better off going for something a little smaller--at least you are out on the water and you have some extra coin to pay for the normal operating costs. It proably won't be the first time your dealer has
dealt with a buyer with cold feet.

Yep, slips ain't cheap. Where are you planning on keeping it? Have you priced slips and found an available one for next season? Depending on where you're considering you may need to do some planning well ahead of time.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I purchased a new (Aug 2008) never been in the water, but was preregestered to a couple, and for lots of reason, some i don't know about never took delivery of the boat it is a 2008 with I\O 5.7 300 Volvos, basically nearly all options put it this way i got that boat for $100,000 of list it not a bit more. The main agent has been very helpfull so i would say search around there are alot of failed deals or just some very crazy deals, but make sure you check all the paper work with the main agent otherwise you could get stung.

Anyway what ever the price i would go for an 08 not the restyled 09

Good Luck

Sean

Hi Perrys,
First off, you have made an excellent decsion to buy a Four Winns product. I have a 2008 358 and could not be happier now that all of our initial issues from purchase have been resolved. The boat has run flawlessly all season and we have not had one new issue crop up.

In February at our local boat show here in NoVa, we thought economic times were tough then. Now, it is far worse. Our boat was in the show and she retailed for about 292K with all the options, power, and upgrades. The dealer had it listed at the show for a traditional finance of 20 years for 207k. Quite a discount. In addition to that he gave us our slip fee paid for the year at our marina, 3800.00. He installed and gave us a new gas grill and pole to hold it. The bow sun pad, full fuel, installed two rod holders, tee shirts and very nice windbreakers included. Oh yes, the boat was also bottom painted and the name was installed on the transom. He also included haul out for the season and winterization but unfortunately he is now out of business and we wont be able to collect on that.

Personally, unless you are getting this 358 for less than 200k and it is loaded, I would wait. If you have to buy it now becasue you just can't stand it. Insist the dealer includes winterizing and storage at no extra charge.

Also, make sure your interest rate is low, not sure how that will happen given the current lending crisis. Good luck.

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2008 Four Winns V358 (T 6.2L Merc Bravo III's with DTS and SeaCore)
2006 Sea Ray 340DA
2006 Sea Ray 320DA
2005 Maxum 3100 SE

Thanks to everyone who replied. We're now officially boat owners. We went down to Florida on Thursday and signed on the dotted line. This weekend, we stayed on the boat. We tried out everything and only had about seven items on our punch list. And, most of those were minor.

To answer some of your questions, the boat has almost every available option. (One notable exception is the flexiteek cockpit but it sounds like that gets mixed reviews on the forums anyway.) It is slipped at a marina in Daytona Beach for now. Although we live in Maryland, leaving it in Florida made sense for the time being. Aside from the obvious advantage of a year-round season, our dealer is providing great training and customer service. He stayed out with us for hours over the last few days, and he's indicated that he's going to keep spending time on the water with us until he's comfortable that he "won't be reading about us in the paper." If all goes well with our courses and training, we hope to be skilled enough to get the boat up to Annapolis ourselves next spring.

The primary motivation for our purchase is memory building with our two young children (5 years old and 14 months). We cannot wait until we can safely get them out on the water with us.

The pictures aren't great but they are all that I have for now. I'm not sure how I forgot to take some daylight shots.

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2008 Four Winns 358