I've posted a couple of questions on here as I'm looking for a good deal to get me on the water again. I'm going to look at a boat this weekend that may need a new motor but hopefully just needs some lower unit work. The owner acquired the boat in divorce and doesn't know much about the condition. I won't know until I do a compression test and look at it if the engine is worth fixing. It's a mid 90's Johnson 115. I need to know my options before I try to make an offer if the motor is really just an anchor.

So my question is where is the best place to find used outboards? Do dealers have many from re-powers or is CL the best bet? If I need a new motor I'd be looking for a 130-150hp or close to it. I feel like I should be able to find something from the late 90's early 2000s for around $2-$3K. Is that reasonable and where could I find one?

My problem with CL is the pricing is all over the map. Occasionally a good deal on a good motor comes up but goes quickly. Otherwise the motors are severally broke and still people want $1-2K when it would take $3K to rebuild and the motor is only worth maybe $3K running. Some are old enough to buy alcohol but the price is half of a brand new motor. It seems like hours are hardly factored into price even on newer motors that have that stored in the ECM. Either I'm looking in the wrong place or outboards hold their value much more than I think they do.

used outboards are like used pickups if they are in good condition an they run they bring top money. the price on new ones is what is driving the used ones.

Having a trained eye and a lot of friends help. Knowing how to do some simple repairs is worth gold when negotiating that used motor. "You know the Hematron is going out" is a powerful statement.