Buddy buying a boat...questions

[coreynov902]

I've owned my 2000 R83VS for just under a year now, so my Ranger knowledge is not even close to what a lot of people on this board have. My fishing buddy decided that he's going to start looking for a boat and would like to get one in the coming months. He's looking in the $15K - $20K range and would like to get one at least 19 feet long. He's willing to look at other brands, but really loves Ranger boats and would like to go that route. He also said he doesn't want to go with a boat older than 15 years, so anything earlier than a 2002 would be off the board. I'm trying to help him out as much as possible, but would love to get some input from people who know a lot more than I do. Are there any motors in the 2002-2006 range that he should definitely steer clear of? Any hulls that Ranger made in that year range that had issues? Any models that he should definitely look at? We live in the midwest (Iowa) and he would like to try and buy a boat within 8-10 hours of where he lives, so that would mostly be in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Missouri. He's looking at online ads but would be willing to go through a dealer as well. Anyone have great experiences with a particular dealer in the midwest? Any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[CaymasRodney]

If he can find a nice used 2000 to 2003 Ranger 520 then that would make him a fine rig, big demand for those models right now.

[teambranham]

518vx, 519vx, 198s were great boats

[Rport]

There is a 06 520vx with a 2014 225 e-tech in Wis. it is on ranger for sale board. real close to your price range

[Screamin_Reel]

If he can find a nice used 2000 to 2003 Ranger 520 then that would make him a fine rig, big demand for those models right now.

This ^^^^^

[06 SB]

The 1999-2004 era were tough years for motors. It was the dawn of the EPA restrictions and the infancy of marine DFI MOTORS. Personally I'd steer clear of most DFI motors of those years. Newer than that, you are good. I'd want a good Mercury EFI. I think the Yamaha OX66 motors were good too but not sure.

[Screamin_Reel]

2004 was when the EPA screwed things up with the resins.

[CaymasRodney]

There were problems with the 2000 threw 2002 Optimax but 2003 on was fine.

[mikesxpress]

Always jack the hull up off the bunks and check for blisters before you bother looking at anything else. Your looking at $3-4K to get them fixed.

[buster502]

if he likes yours why not just find one like it,i have the same boat as you and really like it and got around 13,500 in it with a 175 efi

[coreynov902]

I appreciate all the input. He does like my boat, but I think he wants something in the 20 foot range. For him, I think he plans on buying a boat that he is going to keep for decades, so he wants to get something that he's not going to look back on and wish something had been different. I'll let him know about the motors, but I have a feeling he's going to buy something with a 2004 or newer motor. Unless I'm seeing the wrong boat, the 06 520VX in Wisconsin (with an 06 225 E-Tec) is listed for $32,500...much, much higher than the $15-20K he's wanting to spend. Again, thanks for the help.