This may be the ultimate answer right here...they were probably so outrageous priced new that it demands the used price be so high??

I agree that equipment obviously costs a lot of money but as been pointed out already..many of the 01-03 T/S are close to end of service life on that equipment so that being said...what's a 3-400 hour 525 worth? What about the XR that's hooked to the back of it? I would say that should seriously reduce the price but it's not from what I've seen...any other boat that has hours with that powertrain you can't give away to any knowledgeable boat buyer but it seems to not affect the gun pricing which is crazy to me. Oh well...is what it is...maybe in time this will start going the other way and the T/S will become available to us not so fortunate folks lol

Performance Boat Center had a T/S Gun with outdated paint, 500 hour 525's(fresh top ends), sitting on a sub par I-beam trailer listed for $210k! I find it really hard to believe that a 15 year old boat that IMO is ready for about $70k of work is worth that.

Exactly!!

Economics 101...............................And there you have it!

just a reminder.. asking price and selling price are two different things.

That's true...but I have a hard time offering something WELL below asking...never been much of a wheeler dealer in that aspect haha

I think boat prices would be the least of our problems if that happens lol

that's someone who can't understand depreciation, who still may owe on a note, and/or tells their significant other "well, I put it up for sale..." so they can still go boating! (this is all just my opinion and the first one or two may be a little harsh. All in good humor)

OUCH! What are our picks here;
1. Creepy touchy Biden
2. Creepy grabby Trump
3. "Give me all your stuff" Bernie

hmmm... How did this spin to politics so fast?

Figured they would get drug in at some point(politics) lol

creepy grabby trump :funnypost:

It can always spin into politics. LOL I too find it amazing the price of a TG compared to a Tiger, that's why I bought a Tiger when I was looking, and am very glad I did, just for the ride alone!

I have no problem low balling the price when you're dealing in the quarter million dollar range and used also consider many owners tend to disregard maintenance as they lose interest in the boat. The worst thing that can happen is the seller says something bad about you or your family and hangs up.

hahaha I guess that's true....so hypothetically if a boats listed for say 165k...what's a good starting point...100? 110? assuming its as the one listed before 01 T/S with wore out 500's or 525's?? Just trying to gain some knowledge in that area as well if something were to pop up..don't want to insult anyone but at the end of the day a boat that needs a lot of work should go for a lot cheaper than that I would think?

Seriously, I think youd get your A$$ kicked ...............:funnypost:

The boat Dock78 is talking about has already been sold. I know how much it sold for, and it wasn't that far off of the $209,950 asking price. I think recently people have realized how great of an all around boat a 38 Top Gun T/S is and people are holding on to them....which brings the whole supply VS demand and why the prices have not dropped. Again, go ride in one and you'll see what everyone talks about.

This is just my opinion but....you could try offering that much less to a dealer but no private individual sets his asking price so he can take $50,000 less on a $150-160k boat. I also seriously doubt PBC sets there prices so they can negotiate $50,000 on similar priced boats. If you think the boat is that much overpriced just wait and see if it comes down. I think all your going to do by offering a private individual that much less is a dial-tone. My advice to you is to wait until you see a boat your interested in that is priced right and jump on it. The days of seeing $100,000 38 T/S are long gone.

Well that was my point...I personally would never do that but when I hear the term "lowball" offer being thrown around this is what I think of lol

https://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/2001/Cigarette-Racing-Team-Inc/TOP-GUN-38-TS-OS/10042067/values

this is what a bank is going to see....so the difference from 100k to the price...assume 60-70k is going to have to be put down?? I don't see a bank loaning 175% on a 17 year old boat..not saying its not worth it but how would this work??

damn don't think the link works...loaded up it said average retail on an 01 is 101,000

Oh no I totally get that but someone like myself is going to play hell getting one financed with a loan to value that far upside down...again I realize they are worth more than what NADA says but when I bought my current boat that is what my credit union used for value was NADA and they would not finance over 95% LTV no matter who you are or how good your credit is....was just getting some more clarification is all...not trying to turn this into a sh!tshow thread lol...I know that the vast majority are probably worth every penny they are asking but I compare this purchase to be almost as significant as my house purchase was so just doing as much research as I can from you guys that have bought one or several of these boats that's all. No disrespect intended

Good point

What made you decide that you want a gun next?

Rough water capability and comfortable cruising...same as everyone I would assume...my heat is ok but I have to watch the weather/waves to make sure I'm not going to beat it or myself to death lol. I'm sure I could get what I'm looking for at a better price from a different brand but I've wanted a gun since I was a kid...love the looks, the history, everything....which I realize you have to pay more for that list of likes/wants haha

A straight bottom would suit me just fine and honestly cruise speed is more important to me than top speed but I would like to run 80 if I wanted to and I'm concerned about the reliability of the HP its going to take to push one to 80...then of course there's the drives to think about lol

My interest is also peaked for a flat deck that's for sale semi close to me but no way I could finance a boat as old as this one and I don't have that kind of money laying around so I started looking a little newer and saw the huge price difference between straight bottoms and T/S and figured I would ask the experts here about it

How many dealers will tell you your car/boat is worth more than blue book when trying to trade it in ?

If you find one please let everyone know lol

Yea I realize that...wanted to be around 100 maybe less maybe a little more if its the right boat...I just know that at the end of the day I'd probably still want a gun...maybe just roll around in mine for a bit longer than I hoped and save some loot and go from there....I'm in no huge hurry mine will be just fine for the time being really...just have to watch the weather forecast hahaha

BBYSTWY , I run a 1995 Cig flat deck with 605 cu with naturally aspirated motors that put out approx 725 horses . It has number 5 drives and will run 76mph . With a bit of tweaking it shd hit eighty . I have had Formula's and big Scarab's this bost is by far the most fun . I will agree it is all about the cruise and not the top speed . If you find a solid older cig with decent power and SSM drives and don't beat on it you will find that they will give you a lot of years pleasure with minimal grief . Other than routine maintenance i really haven't spent a lot of dough on it in the past 3/4 years .There was a thread on here a few years back discussing the pros and cons of stepped and non stepped hulls and I think the science proved that stepped hulls were only about 10 % faster on flat water and no real advantage in big water . The other big contributing factor was reduced weight due to improved construction methods . ( but lighter boats don't crush waves like big old resin buckets did think 41 Apache) What got lost in this discussion is that although the newer stepped hulls are more efficient and may cost less to operate is it worth playing 100k more and how much better off will you be in the long run . It is an interesting discussion though I always seem to learn new things here all the time . Cheers RG.

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92 Kevlar TG Smith power 540's and #5's......my old boat pretty sure its still for sale. if you're serious about buying a TG you need to have the cash in hand to make the deal

TS Top Gun pricing is way up because of the demand at LOTO. Prices on the same exact TS Guns is higher now than it was 10 years ago.
I know several 2001-2004's that sold for 120-130k 10 years ago and some in the very low 100k's and now they are going for 150k.
Keep in mind the listed prices are not cash prices.
Its the same thing car dealers do. Boat 1 has a cash value of 120k and listed at 140k. Boat 2 has a cash value of 150k and listed at 175k.
Boat 1 is traded in on boat 2 and contract shows Boat 2 bought for 175k with a 140k trade. Now dealer list boat 1 for sale at 150k and says he gave 140k on it when he took it on trade.

Exactly what I have been getting at lol

F2...do you have a link for your old boat or is it privately for sale?? Thanks

I do lota of dealing, if someone is asking 165,000, any less then 145,000 is a go F off response, even at 145 is the case if it needs lots of tlc….