Looking at Buying 2008 330 Sundancer

[fsudelt]

I'm currently looking at upgrading and have been looking at the 330 Sundancer, when negotiating pricing I've heard 25% is the dealer's "bottom line" usually? Is this still true or anyone have any thoughts. Compared to my current 240 Sundancer I have, going to 330 is a much larger amount of the total price. Thanks for any feedback!

 

[Newbie]

Being that the 330 is a new model for Sea Ray, I think 25% off would be OK. I would try for 30% first though, with a 10% deposit check to show your serious, if you are. Its nearing the end of the season so they know theres a good chance of sitting on it till next spring or even summer, so maybe you could get a good deal?? SB

 

[Dave S]

Being that the 330 is a new model for Sea Ray, I think 25% off would be OK. I would try for 30% first though, with a 10% deposit check to show your serious, if you are. Its nearing the end of the season so they know theres a good chance of sitting on it till next spring or even summer, so maybe you could get a good deal?? SB

My advice is don't buy until there is some Sea Ray incentive money available. That can be substantial and could mean closer to 35-40 percent off list. If there is no money out there wait until winter when incentive money is almost always available.

 

[douglee25]

My advice is don't buy new. The used market is such a better value.

Doug

 

[fsudelt]

Right now on new boats they are offering "free 3 years of gas" or you can take the rebate which is about $15,000 on this model. Their first offer of course was well off the ballpark of what the boat should sell for, so we'll see. Worst case I may wait till next boat show here which is Feb, cause salesman said there best incentives (rebataes) are when boat shows are taking place. Don't really want to go the used route even though a used 2007 340 would be less than 330 new. Around my area (Orlando, FL) there aren't any (used 340's) with the color hull and options we want. Thanks for the replies!

 

[r_moss]

Our local dealer has a new hold over '07 310 DA for list less 40%. Its a beauty!

 

[skolbe]

The problem is you have a very new trade. So unless you plan to sell your boat. The discount is not going to get super strong because they have to hide your trade in the deal.

When I was shopping I had actually placed a contract on a used 340. At that time, I went to Marine Max and told them that I placed a contract on a used 340. They asked for 1 more chance and they brought another 8% on the table. Much of which came from S-R. Ultimately they have to believe you are buying that month or the serious dollars will not come out on the table.

That being said. Looking at the price of used 320's and 340's. I would try to sell your boat outright and then look at new and used boats. Then make your decision. There are some nice 40' used boats on the market - cheap.

 

[fsudelt]

Thanks for all the comments I appreciate it. Keep them coming. As for selling my boat myself, I would think that would be quite tough in this market and could take awhile, where with a trade i'm getting that "credit" towards to new boat right away and not leaving me with having to ante up that money til it sells. The salesman knows I'm serioius about buying, he sold me my last boat there back in Feb, and we actually had a deal for a used 340 about 1 month ago but I had to postpone because someone got in just before us and snatched it away. We'll see what happens but hopefully it all works out. Would prefer new, then you don't have to worry about previous owners of how boat was run, or kept up.

 

[skolbe]

sfergson727 -

I know you had a 320 before that. So, how was the depreciation curve, and how long did you own it.

 

[Southpaw II]

Unless I win the Lotto, I'll always buy used. The depreciation hit on a new boat is too big. Just check the internet to see how much boats have dropped in the last 18 months.

Southpaw II
2001 380 Sundancer

 

[hack4alivin]

Thanks for all the comments I appreciate it. Keep them coming. As for selling my boat myself, I would think that would be quite tough in this market and could take awhile, where with a trade i'm getting that "credit" towards to new boat right away and not leaving me with having to ante up that money til it sells. The salesman knows I'm serioius about buying, he sold me my last boat there back in Feb, and we actually had a deal for a used 340 about 1 month ago but I had to postpone because someone got in just before us and snatched it away. We'll see what happens but hopefully it all works out. Would prefer new, then you don't have to worry about previous owners of how boat was run, or kept up.

When I bought my boat, I traded in the 280, with that I only had to pay sales tax on the difference between the price of the 320 and my trade. That can add up some value as well.

 

[skolbe]

Depreciation hurts. Wow - it pays to hold on to these boats. Or buy one 5 years old.

 

[DaveL]

Doesn't anyone ever downsize?

 

[skolbe]

I have seen some people downsize - but it is hard to pull off. Seems like most people just get bigger and bigger and then get out of boating.

 

[sbw1]

Doesn't anyone ever downsize?

Sure. We went from a 37 to a 32. It's a lot easier to take care of and we save a little on storage and slips.

 

[Bottom Line]

I owned the boat for two seasons after buying it new. (Bought new in 2004, but the boat was a 2003 left over)

Not including sales tax, the difference between what I paid for it, and what it sold for was $69,000. The boat itself was immaculate, had extended warranties, low time, etc. but the market sets the price unfortunately.

sfergson727...so did you trade in your 320 on the 340? I am just curious why you thought the 340 was worth that much more.(i.e. losing the 69K in depreciation)

 

[skolbe]

I see the extra space over the the 320, but I had a hard time justifying the additional $45k the dealer wanted over the 320. I saw the advantages, just the price difference was hard for me to absorb.

 

[fsudelt]

Just to update, after doing more research and looking at models, it looks like we are going to end up getting a brand new 2007 310 Sundancer. My dealer ended up getting one held over from the factory and they are offering a lot more off it. Around 35% from list plus trade. Not worth paying an extra 100,000 + for new 08 or 09 330 Sundancer. Thanks for all the replies before.

 

[spimik]

We just bought a 2008 330DA this summer. This was a showroom model that had been on the floor since last fall. We traded a 2 year old Cobalt against and saved over $5,000 in taxes alone. Both the dealer and SEA RAY stepped up and found a ton of rebates to move this new boat out. This is a very loaded boat and has options that my wife and I probably would not have ordered from the factory, but are glad they are on the boat now. We ended up getting over 35% off the list price, plus we saved the additonal money on the tax by trading and avoiding headache of having to show/negotiate/sell our boat.

I apprecaite the depreciation a new boat takes, but in some cases, this being one, we feel very strongly that we made a great deal. Depending on the market, this boat should fetch a good price or trade in value if we move it in the next couple of years.

Good Luck- you will love the 330.