Spoken like a used car manager....no offense meant. But since it's been brought up I'll simply state the other side of this comment to keep things balanced:<br /><br />Take it from a used car wholesaler and licensed auto insurance appraiser: Kelley Blue Book (retail) is woefully overpriced, and that particular guide benefits only the used car dealer becuase if he can convince the public it's remotely accurate, he can sell cars for more money. Even the insurance companies will scoff if you pull out a Kelly Blue Book retail value in an effort to negotiate your total loss claim. So do the courts, as I've witnessed KBB value thrown out in court more than once, usually based on KBB's very own disclaimer that's clearly printed on their values: "The Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail Value is representative of dealers' asking prices and is the starting point for negotiation between a consumer and a dealer..." Hardly a statement of actual "value" unless you're the type of person who simply buys a car based on sticker price without negotiation....<br /><br />KBB's "private party" values are closer to acceptable, but still not very useful in the real world since there is no way to accurately track and document private party sale prices, so they're essentially made-up numbers based on classified ads and random surveys. Plus it is insanely subjective with 5 different "condition" categories to choose from with HUGE price swings between the ratings, and everyone interprets condition differently.<br /><br />NADA is OK, at least they use ACTUAL final sale prices reported by all dealers in their network to get their numbers, but it's still imperfect because trade-ins are very popular, and they throw a big wrench into most final deals and therefore fog the data, but at least is uses SOME real sale data, and is therefore probably the most accurate source available to the general public. Edmunds is another more helpful and often realistic site. But they only do cars, not boats. <br /><br />The short version of all that is this: Kelley more accurately reflects the average sticker price on a used car lot, NADA more accurately reflects the average final sale price from that same lot. Each person can decide which is a more useful number for themselves. <br /><br />And unless I'm overlooking something, KBB doesn't do boats so I don't think it will help this fella anyway.<br /><br />The reality is there is NO answer to the original question. Any particular boat/vehicle is worth exactly what you or someone else is willing to pay for it, and what the other party is willing to sell it for. Any given guide might get you in the ballpark, but beyond that you need to let your wants/needs, condition of the rig, and your gut tell you how much to pay in the end. The number agreed on at the time of the handshake is the most accurate value you'll ever know...Originally posted by Tail_Gunner:<br />Take it from a used car manager in the car business NADA has little or no bearing on values.<br /><br /> Unless that is your buying NADA values are woefully underpriced, see if kelly blue book has values............ a very accurate guide.....very.
Originally posted by tommays:<br /> It really depends on the boats condition how many of the same are on the market and were you live <br /><br /><br />In my area there are so many Searays and so many dealer rebates right now it hurts the value of the used ones a LOT<br /><br /><br />tommays