New Ranger Z518c or used Z520c

[Cgs1967!]

My dealer has a used 2016 Z520C with a 250hp Evinrude, power poles and hds9 and 7. He wants $55,000.00 for it. He then tells me he has a leftover 2018 Z518C with 200hp Evinrude. He said he would get me at $50,000.00 out the door. With the new I get full warranty. With used there might be a little warranty left. I fish some big waters but not always. Which is the better way to go if I decide to? Also, is the price on each fair?

[avidbasser]

If I had the space....the 520C would be going home with me. But I'd get it at $50K so I felt good about the price.

Those 520C's are great in rough water.

[Locknload59]

It is a tough decision and one you will have to make but I can tell you that I have never regretted buying my 520C for a second. It has been a great boat and has so much room and storage.

[slipknobber bot]

520c, but 55k is too much for that boat with dinky graphs.

[jc2bg]

I agree that $55k is a tad bit high for a 2016 520c, but we don’t know the full extent of its condition, hours on the engine, and other options. Excellent condition and fairly low hours [like 150-200], I’m thinking lower 50s. And yes, the 520c is a whole different beast when it comes to ride, storage, and overall comfort. The boat that best suits your fishing style is the way to go. Price is a wash in this case; even more so because the added warranty of the new boat is cancelled out by the lower depreciation of the used boat. Buy the one you want.

[Jet-A Bassin]

We have 2018 Z520C with G2 for $58,900.00. They will be sold as new, with full warranty. They are on the boats for sale page.

[dean c]

No question..the 520. see what else is out there for 55k...Not even comparable the two boats in my opinion.

[BassinLA13]

Get the 518 = wonder about the larger 520 every time you see one. Get the 520 = see a 518 and be very glad you got the 520.

[Cgs1967!]

Update. Dealer called and gave me the firm price. The 2018 Z518C is $49,100.00 and he will throw in a new hds carbon 12 at the console if I buy it this week. He is giving me $20,000.00 for my 2014 Z117. He is also using a voucher so I have 10 years full warranty on the Evinrude. Thoughts as far as the deal on the Z518C.

[randy_almeida]

I would buy the demo boat for 58K at Jet A. That’s a whole lot more boat for another 10K and you get full factory warranties.

[Rangerdawg]

If you thought your 117 was a good size then you will be happy with the 518....if not the boats by Jetta would be hard to beat cause there will be some flexibility......

good luck enjoy whatever choice you make

[BrianFLA]

I went this year from a 2015 Z117 to a 2019 Z518 and love it!

[Ranger391v]

There hasn’t been a day I regret my Z520 or Evinrude 250HO. With that said, this is the biggest bass boat I’ve owned. All my other boats have been 18’/175 and 3 that were 19’/200. I towed all of them with a 1/2 ton 4x4 and it was plenty of truck for most of SC. The reason I bring this up is b/c the Z520 is noticeably heavier than all my other boats, but still plenty doable with my ‘12 Crew Cab Z71 5.3 6spd ..... but my ‘02 2500HD 4x4 6.0L Farm truck man-handles it easier mainly due to the suspension.

I only bring this up b/c I remember Clyde, NC being in THA MOUNTAINS of NC. If I towed up there on a regular basis, I’d have a 3/4 diesel just to handle the Z520 easier .......... or befriend a transmission shop! LOL

The other good thing about a Z520 nobody has mentioned yet, regardless of where you are in the US, everybody wants one (resale $ and the fact that they sell easy).

Good Luck with your decision!!!
-391v

[Jmhall745]

I went from an ‘17 Z185 with the 150 G2 to a ‘19 520L with the G2... If you have the storage room, get the 520. I was in the same mindset as you when I got my 185. Get a brand new 18 footer or a used 20 footer. I went with the 18 and was always side-eying every 20 footer that went by. I almost immediately regretted my decision because I had no reason to not get the 520, I had the storage room, and I keep the boat at Lake of the Ozarks for the summer, so very busy weekend water. I was just being cheap because I got a great deal on the Z185. Don’t worry about fishing the 520 on small water, It will still fish great. Go for the demo 520 from Jet-A and don’t look back!

[mactlman]

520 and a rude!!!!

[mactlman]

Update. Dealer called and gave me the firm price. The 2018 Z518C is $49,100.00 and he will throw in a new hds carbon 12 at the console if I buy it this week. He is giving me $20,000.00 for my 2014 Z117. He is also using a voucher so I have 10 years full warranty on the Evinrude. Thoughts as far as the deal on the Z518C.

wants it gone bad?? what will he throw in to make the 520 go away? likely has more margin to be made on used boat anyway?

[Finlander]

Both boats are about 5k too much. Just got quoted $45k for a left over 518c last week and that was the blow out price I got 8 plus months ago on one. That said, you should be able to find fully 2016 tour loaded boats for low 50’s.

[jimsch]

I have a 518 that is awesome for the smaller lakes I fish and the room I have for storage.
I would go with the 520 for anything else.

[Cgs1967!]

There hasn’t been a day I regret my Z520 or Evinrude 250HO. With that said, this is the biggest bass boat I’ve owned. All my other boats have been 18’/175 and 3 that were 19’/200. I towed all of them with a 1/2 ton 4x4 and it was plenty of truck for most of SC. The reason I bring this up is b/c the Z520 is noticeably heavier than all my other boats, but still plenty doable with my ‘12 Crew Cab Z71 5.3 6spd ..... but my ‘02 2500HD 4x4 6.0L Farm truck man-handles it easier mainly due to the suspension.

I only bring this up b/c I remember Clyde, NC being in THA MOUNTAINS of NC. If I towed up there on a regular basis, I’d have a 3/4 diesel just to handle the Z520 easier .......... or befriend a transmission shop! LOL

The other good thing about a Z520 nobody has mentioned yet, regardless of where you are in the US, everybody wants one (resale $ and the fact that they sell easy).

Good Luck with your decision!!!
-391v

I tow with my 2018 F250 diesel so no problem pulling either.

[Lape0019]

thats a tough one. An 18 footer is good in rough water. I imagine a 520 would be better.

If warranty is a worry to you, you’ll want the 18 footer. If big water is continually in the cards for you the 520 will be wise.

From the limited info you provided, I’d go with the 18.