Force (Mercury)

[Tony T.]

I recently purchased a pontoon boat that had a 1995 70hp Force engine. The powerhead is bad,but prev owner stated the lower unit was still good. Motor still has several parts that are good to be robbed including good calin.

What would be a fair asking price for this motor?

Tony

 

[cmjust0]

Re: Force (Mercury)

It's hard to say what the asking price should be, but I can tell you that I've looked around for used parts off the very motor you're talking about on ebay, and I'm fairly certain that with a little work, you could probably get as much out of the engine by parting it out as you could get by selling it used in running condition..

I saw a lower unit on ebay for $375.. The control box, if it works and is in good shape, is probably worth $100 or more.. I've seen cowls anywhere from $35-$100.. Mid sections (aka exhaust housing, mid leg, lower leg, etc) from $50-$100.. Motor mounting plates, about $75.. Starters, new around $100...working, but used?...probably $50, easy. Used heads were around $75, if they're good.. Power tilt/trim, provided it's working -- $350 or so.. And that's all kinda the "low hanging fruit" off the engine. If you started tearing down the smaller parts on the power head...shift levers, carb, ignition components, stuff like that, you could pretty easily pick up $20 here, $50 there, etc..

Start adding all that up and it seems to me that anybody with a socket set and an ebay account could probably could make enough back to buy a used, working motor in reasonable condition off craigslist or something...lol

It's a lot of work, though. Personally, I wouldn't give more than the *good* used lower unit alone would fetch...and that's NO MORE than $400, at the absolute most.

ETA -- Let's put it this way.. If were were closer (I'm in KY :-/ ) and I saw your blown motor listed on craigslist for, say $400, and I could get it for maybe $325 or $350, I'd *probably* buy it from you because I have a 1992 70HP Force and it would be worth it to me to have a donor in case something goes bad. If you came down to $300, I'd buy it for sure. Hope that helps.

 

[bentle]

Re: Force (Mercury)

How about you pay me 400 and ill come get it out of your hair.lolololol!! Ok just kidding. Seriously you could get alot more on ebay by parting it out than by selling
the whole motor. You should look at the going prices on the parts for that motor
new and on ebay and go from there. Heck some of thoughs parts are obsolete
now, new anyways. Part that motor out and im sure you will be pleased.

 

[Tony T.]

Re: Force (Mercury)

OK thanks guys for the replies back I may go the ebay route.

Tony

 

[tater76]

Re: Force (Mercury)

Beware of the Ebay route Tony. If you do your homework you will see that folks have buy it now prices on everything. This is misleading to say the least. For example, Lower units for Force outboards are advertised anywhere from $375 up to $425 right??? Well the reality of this is, that that seller has sat on that lower for over a year waiting for some dope to pay that outrageous price. Will he get it?? you bet, is it worth it??? nope, because of the wait.. This whole practice drives people like you and I to think we can get $400 bucks for that beat up broken Force or Chrysler part when in reality it's only worth $100. Another good example is CD units, but I will spare you the speech. The fact is that Force and Chrysler parts are not that difficult to find, and there ARE folks making NEW parts for these motors.

I have a large inventory myself, and frankly, selling anything is difficult right now. The moral of the story is be good to your fellow Force/Chrysler boaters, and someday they won't try to sink you

 

[cmjust0]

Re: Force (Mercury)

This whole practice drives people like you and I to think we can get $400 bucks for that beat up broken Force or Chrysler part when in reality it's only worth $100.

First of all, I'm not talking about "beat up broken" parts -- I'm talking about good used parts in running condition. There's a difference. Sounds to me like what you're talking salvage price, in which case, yeah, a non-running lower unit with a few salvageable parts may only be worth $100..

I can't say as I've seen anyone selling busted lower units, though, so I would have no clue what the market would be for that.

Having said that, what something is worth "in reality" all comes down to supply and demand.. If I had a lower unit go out on my '92 70hp Force and saw a *good* one from a '95 on ebay for $375, I certainly wouldn't consider myself a "dope" to purchase it.. Afterall, the only other alternative would be to pay $800+ for a new lower unit, or exit the market (i.e., part out my own motor, scrap it, etc.).

Could I find a good used lower unit in running condition for $100? Maybe, but I certainly haven't seen it.. I can't say as I've seen *any* good lower unit in running condition for $100, regardless of make or hp rating.. Now, perhaps that's because people sit on lower units and other used outboard parts until someone comes along with a need and ponies up the cash, but when that eventually happens, it still serves to uphold $375 (or whatever) as *the* market price, and it takes one more item off the market..

Indeed, I'd actually go so far as to say that having to sit on product until someone comes along with a need it is just the nature of a low-volume marketplace...and used outboard parts is definitely a low-volume marketplace.

 

[tater76]

Re: Force (Mercury)

Ahh gotta love the good old supply and demand principle My response wasn't meant to upset folks, I just think as an avid ebay seller and buyer that when I list a lower unit for say $275 it sets a precedent on which others often base their prices. I just sold a good 50hp lower for just over $100 bucks, could I have gotten more?? you bet, could I sleep at night if I sold the nearly 30 year old used part for $400?? never. I am not in the business of selling parts to make a living, so I don't need to make much over what I have in them. Plus, I love to help out other boaters. If you blow your cd or lower or whatever, and I can sell you a replacement for next to nothing to get you and your family back out doing what we love, then I am satisfied. Oh, one more thing, don't forget about your ebay fees after you sell your parts. This will eat up profit real quick.