Nitro Z-7?

[Dourque]

After looking at a refurb. on my 89' lund pro-v, asked the wife if we could get a new boat, took her to the boat show here in fargo, she really like the Nitro Z-7. anyone got any reviews/time in this boat. seems like a good mid-range boat at a decent price. any help would be great.

PS just about passed out when she said we should get a new boat, cause you could stick a lump of coal up her butt, and get a diamond in a week!

[Deitz Dittrich]

I suuuuuuuuure hope she doesnt read here on HSO!!!! LOL

I dont know anything about the Z-7.. Just wish you good luck in finding your new boat of your dreams.. My personal opinion, In this economy I think your way better off buying a 1 year old boat from someone. Let them eat the depreciation. No matter what you decide(unless your wife reads the diamond comment) Im sure you will be happy,. Keep us updated!

[Superduty]

I have been buying one year old boats also. Deitz is right about the depreciation. You might be able to get into another brands one year old boat for the same or lower price than a new Nitro and have better resale value down the road. Nitro significantly lowered the price on their boats for 2010. If a new Nitro is what you want, now is a good time to go for it. Good luck!

[mozy]

I believe one advantage of getting a '10 over a used or carry over is that they changed the hull this year. It's supposed to get up on plane much quicker. If that is not much of a concern, going with a used is a better option. Nitro dropped the price on the Z-7 $6,000 this year and that should definitely reduce the resale value on the used models.

[TR21HP]

Another vote for a used boat here as well for all the reasons listed above. I wouldn't hesitate buying a 2-3 year old boat versus new now. There are a lot of advantages to buying used plus there are a lot of boats out there for sale.

[TB Basser]

While there is something to be said for buying a used boat,

you can get exactly what you want in a new boat and not have

to settle for less than you want. Not saying anything wrong with used but I couldn't /can't ever seem to find exactly what

I wanted and when I started adding things to the used and got

pretty close to a negotiated price new boat exactly like I wanted it set up.

[Central Bassman]

After seeing the prices of new bass boat at the boat show, Nitro seems to be the best bang for your buck when it comes to a new boat. I never used to be a fan of Nitro's bass boats but after sitting in a Z-8 and looking it over, Nitro really has built a great boat at a great price. I'm going to take one for a spin this summer to see how it is on the water!!! i think you are looking at a great boat at a great price.

[TonkaBass]

Another vote for the used boat over here... Hard to justify the high ticket price of a new boat when a slightly used boat with a warranty is just as good!

[Bassman55]

I have fished out of a Z-7 for the last two seasons and absolutely love it. If you have any more specific questions I'd be happy to answer them. I do know that Nitro is putting out a much better product then they were in the 90's.

[bassNspear]

bassman, it would be interesting to hear why you love it so much?

[Bassman55]

There isn't anything I don't like about the boat except that there is no step up to the back deck which they have now changed. The storage is awesome. The back compartments hold plano 3700 boxes, and the rod lockers are huge. The front deck is the size that you would find on a 20' boat. Like I said there is not much I don't like about this boat. I do know that I rode in a 18.5' triton thats a few years older (03-04) and would even consider trading.

[Larson15]

I checked out the Z-7 and for the money its hard to beat for a new boat but..........I did notice the lack of quality of certain things on this boat which in my opinion hinder durability.

[TR21HP]

I echo Larson's comments butnot just durability issues, the fit and finish compared to a more expensive boat is lacking. But, in saying that you are not paying the same as the more expensive boat. I do applaud Tracker for trying to initiate something and trying to make new boats more financially possible for the common man.

[bassNspear]

I checked out the Z-7 and for the money its hard to beat for a new boat but..........I did notice the lack of quality of certain things on this boat which in my opinion hinder durability.

just curious as to what?

[Larson15]

-the carpet is cheap and the one at the show was already pealing up from the floor

-no rod organizers in the lockers

-plastic components and switches are cheap

-trailer upholstery does not seem very durable

-trailer seems to lack quality compared to others

[Dourque]

Thanks for all the input guys, really do enjoy all the feedback you all give. Can't wait for open water season so I can get in one for a test drive, I did take the advice and did a little looking and can find some decent 08/09's for a good bargin and even came across an 08' Z-9 with a 250 mercury optimax at a steal(repo), just would have to drive to Florida to pick it up/have it shipped. In your guy's mind is now the time to buy, with the economy down a bit, or hold off another year?

[bassNspear]

buy now, dealers want to get rid of everything they have, there priced low now for a reason! They need them sold

[Bassman55]

I have not had any problems with the carpet. The rod locker rod organizer is an option if you buy a new boat.

[TR21HP]

Dourque,

Don't be afraid to buy a boat a long ways away. You can get most boats shipped in an enclosed trailer for usually around 600-700 bucks so it isn't too bad.

[beeflover]

I think you're pretty smart asking opinions on your new boat interest. I think Larson must know something about boats maybe he's been in the business.

I own a 2005 Nitro and I am envious of the price you have now. You could not have bought a new boat with a 150 at $22K for many years now.

It is certainly a buyers market for boats this year.

I've loved my Nitro but little things have not worn well, like switches and some hardware. The biggest thing to look at is the steering I've always felt mine steers very hard, my wife and my 14 year old boy do not like to drive it because they can't turn it.

Another thing is the boat likes to porpoise like crazy, you can't trim it without porpoising until you do about 35mph

If your any kind of all round angler don't get a bass boat, I sometimes miss my old tiller boat.

What is a warranty on the 150, is Mercury at 3 years now? In 2005 my warranty was only one year. If a 3 year warranty that definitely adds some value.

Good luck keep us posted

[Raider4ever]

Remember kids, if you buy a used boat from a private party, you do not pay sales tax on the boat, just the trailer (in MN at least). That was a pleasant surprise for me after I spent two years looking for just the right boat. So, if you think you see one on one of the various websites and feel good about it, I would go that way and save around $1200.00 on a $15K boat.