www.iFourWinns.com

This should be interesting. The marina I launch from is a Chap dealer and they carry lots of Signature Cruisers. They don't have any new 290's in stock but they are going to price one out, loaded and call me back.

Oh well, it doesn't hurt to window shop, who knows, maybe the numbers will be right.

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Brett DiMichele

Everytime I have done that, I have ended up with a new boat. You have started the wheels in motion that can not be stopped. You might as well get yours cleaned up and ready for sale.

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"Where Da Go"
2002 248 Vista
Lafayette, IN
http://blueoceanlife.worldventures.biz

Unless they can hit me with some pretty astounding numbers, it's not likely to happen. MSRP optioned the way I want it comes in just under a buck eighty, if they can do 110K, I might be interested. Of course I need to either sell my 248 or trade it in, and I am not about to get raped on it. If I was to broker my boat I want 57K for it. I have 2 grand in custom PlasDeck, Windlass and other upgrades that I am not about to throw out the door.

Also I will need to get a Diesel truck, and I do not want a payment. I would trade my 04 Rumble Bee in for an 99 or 01 Diesel (prices are about equal) and slip the boat through the summer and bring it home at the end of the season. They quoted me 1100 for this season's slippage, water, power and CATV.

We'll see!

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Brett DiMichele

Brett, before you pull the trigger on a 290, our friends bought one the year after we bought our 288. We looked at the 290 and the wife took it off the list because of the cockpit design at the cabin door. We were looking the boat over, when my wife missed the step down to enter the cabin door and fell into the cabin. Fortunately our friend was right there at the bottom of the cabin steps and caught her. Phil and Sandy also said that the large well in front of the cabin door and the step up/down to the helm can make getting away from the helm a dangerous proposition. Phil said it took some real getting used to. His opinion it was the weakest point of the boat. Other than that, he loved it. The sold it two years ago and moved up to a used 50' Carver Aft-cabin Motor Yacht.

It was a big factor for me as I move to and from the helm a lot and like my egress to be as easy and safe as possible. With their design, you have a large well, the step down from the raised helm and the steps coming from the bow access all converging in the same spot.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

JV,

I've done that in the 248 as well.. You step down to the helm level, and one step to the side and you are going on your can, it's another foot or so, down to sole level.

I've been on the 290 and I could live with that flaw, to gain all that cabin space.

I really don't want a Chaparral boat to be honest with you, I'd MUCH rather have another Vista. If only they made one.....

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Brett DiMichele

Keep us posted on what the dealer says.

I think a 180k boat for 110k -- special ordered... is a stretch. Especially if you want a premium for your boat (which you should, because you've done a ton to it).

I've owned a Chap and it was a good boat.

When do you think they'll get back to you Brett?

On a scale of 1 to 10 - how serious are you?

What if they come back with 120k for the boat and 50k for your trade in? Is that a walk away deal? All depends on how serious you want to be.

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

Cougar,

We'll see what they have to say. I am not really looking to spend unless it's one hell of a deal. I love my 248 and if I have to live with it, I certainly can because it's one hell of a boat. But there are things that I've learned that I "want" and can't have or do to the 248. I WANT a GenSet and it's just not feasible to install one in the 248, I want a radar arch (glass not tubular) and I want more cabin space.

The 290 fits my niche nicely but it's going to have to be priced right. If I go by Chap's MSRP it's 187K the way I would order it, 30% off takes it down to $132. They claim there are some big deals to be had right now. Chap says up to 18 grand off on Sig cruisers, 9K on the 290, if that's works in conjunction with the typical 30% off MSRP then that takes me down to 123K.

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Brett DiMichele

Chap dealer called back and said the best they could do on a 290 is in the 160 range (almost 190K MSRP) but said they could put me into a brand new, loaded 2008 Signature 310 for 150K........ Hurm!

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Brett DiMichele

that seems awfully ridiculous for a 290. WOW.

150 for a 310 doesn't sound bad though.

What would they do for a trade in?

_________________

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

And I thought my boat was expensive enough! Ouch. You guys must have some really good jobs.

_________________
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 don't have a Great job, but I do have Great credit!


Coug,

Bear in mind 190K for the 290 is absolutely LOADED, that's 7 grand worth of GPS, 870 dollar grill, 1100 electric table, 10K Genset, 6K AC/Heat etc etc.. That's also twin 4.3L Seacore B3's with Digital Throttle Shift.

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Brett DiMichele

There was a 2008 leftover 290 listed in our area, optioned out with most of what you described, but with 5.0L engines. Price was $98K. But it's not a 2009. I dismissed it at the time because I don't particularly care for that model. I think it must have sold, the listing is not up that I can find.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Brett...

Nobody needs to remind you of this - but there is no reason why 25-30% off MSRP plus any incentives is unreasonable in today's market. The largest factor becomes your trade in.

If you really are that serious - find some other dealers and see where it gets you....

The 290 is a sexy boat... you can't help what brand you fall in love with sometimes. Just don't go too far if you go stray away. We need someone to harrass about their sleeping arrangements in their boats!

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

Coug,

Mind if I ask what sort of percentage off your 318 you was able to work out with the dealer?

I've always heard it was 25/30 percent off MSRP was the norm. Chap is also offering another 12,400 off 08 310's (boat show special pricing).


So this is what I'm coming up with....

MSRP (As optioned)
$224,459
- 30%
$157,121
-$12,400 Incentive
= $144,721 not including tax, prep and dest charges.

I don't think I am going to be able to beat them up a whole lot more than that! Assuming they gave me 50K trade in on my Vista (it's worth more than that, I would like 60, but I might as well be realistic! That puts me at $94,721.00 I would have to finance.

What sort of rates are out there right now for someone with AAA Credit? I am probably nuts to think I can get 3 to 3.5%, I am guessing more like 5% or so on the financing.

Any tips anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated! Again this isn't set in stone but if I can work them hard enough, this may happen!


And just as an FYI, this is on a LOADED 2008 Signature 310, not a 290. The said they could get me into this 310 for a much better price than custom ordering an 09, 290.

The 310 has every option except Radar.

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Brett DiMichele

Brett -- Are you really contemplating going up to a 33 footer?

You lose the layout you love... the 310 has the forward berth you so despise!

I can tell you that for what they want the 08 310 for... you are not very far from a special order 09 FW 318 that would be nicely equipped.

If you are starting to think outside the 290 and go to a bigger Vista -- you have ALOT more options.

I'd also say look at the 288... That would probably be in the 120ish range.

I looked hard at Chaps... they are great boats. But - if you don't mind the layout - the FW should be in your consideration.

_________________

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