Hello I am a newbie here! I know I want a 35 fountain-I have a chance to buy a 2005 w/pair of 496 or should I buy a 2002 w/500efi. Both have similar hours and are priced about the same. Both are executioners- Please which one for the same money? also if I were to sell in 2 years which one will be worth more? thanks

When you go to sell a boat the buyer really only seems to consider two things 1) age, and 2) condition. They could care less that you spent thousands of dollars on an outdrive, or put $20K into the motors. Are the 496's factory? If they are and it is set up right I would be willing to bet that you will always be able to get more for the 2005.

Additionally... There will be more buyers for the 2005. When a bank loans money on a boat they generally only consider factors 1 and 2 above as well. They will generally be willing to lend more money on the 2005 than will on the 2002.

Do you really want to go 3 years older for 75hp per?
Get the '05.

45hp per side...? I thought the 496's are 425pshp and the 500's are 470pshp.

Blue.

Set the horsepower aside because the performance difference is not that big between the two set ups. The newer boat for the same money is in my mind a done deal. Hard to get financing on a perf boat over 10 years old right now, without some real good cash into it, even then it can be tough. That may well get worse before it gets better. Likely not an issue for you as either would be fine right now. But consider the effect when/if you go to sell a couple years down the road. Good Luck!

are they 375hp or 425hp 496's? the blue motors will need a little more attention. i dont think 496ho's are 425hp at the prop but i could be wrong and i think 500efi are a lil over 470hp at the prop.

side note: the blue motors will look way cooler that the lame looking 496s.

Thanks! The executioner has a clear windshield what does it cost to upgrade to a white fairing? also on the 05 is there a problem w/x-dimension where it is hard to get up on plane

that can be fixed real easy with the use of drive spacers, way cheaper to move them down than up,..... the 500's have nice cmi headers

Im also new to posting but have been reading for years. Go newer year and upgrade exhaust and ecm and your comparable to a 500. also the set-ups change from year to year set-up in 05 is better then 02.