Questions about collecting Pinball Machines.

MrHiu2

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I'm looking to buy a pinball machine in the future that is right for me, but also one that stays within a budget.

So far, I have considered the following:


White Water Rapids
WhirlWind
Lord of the Rings

I am assuming that Pinball machines are moderatley more expensive than arcade games (depending on age, of course.) But I do not know how much an average machine costs. At first I was looking at dealers, but I'm pretty sure that is not a good way to figure out the cost. Anyone know what a good price to pay for a machine in good condition?
 
I'm looking to buy a pinball machine in the future that is right for me, but also one that stays within a budget.

What's the budget?

So far, I have considered the following:
White Water Rapids
WhirlWind
Lord of the Rings

All good games but on the higher side in terms of price.

I am assuming that Pinball machines are moderatley more expensive than arcade games (depending on age, of course.)

That's a good assumption. I don't know how much you've looked at prices but I would use the word considerable in place of moderate.

But I do not know how much an average machine costs. At first I was looking at dealers, but I'm pretty sure that is not a good way to figure out the cost. Anyone know what a good price to pay for a machine in good condition?

This is a good place to start. Average ebay sale prices.

http://www.bostonpinball.biz/eBay112310.htm
 
Assuming you meant:
1.) Whitewater
2.) Whirlwind
3.) Lord of the Rings


1.) Becoming a very popular game driving prices up a tad. $1800-$2200
I didn't much care for it because the pf is mostly covered up.

2.) Another fairly popular one but peoples prices on this are quite skewed. Price on this is $1200 - $1800. People can call prices all they want but I've seen several of these in NICE condition multiple times for the price range I listed. I owned one and sold it. Not my cup of tea either. The voice calls are gawd awful terrible quality and to make matters worse and annoying.

3.) HELL YES in my book. This is a stop and go game. When you get decent enough the ball times become very long. Some people don;t like long games. But the other benny to this game is the deep rule set that will keep you coming back for more and more. Not too many people have completed LOTR.
Price - I've seen several HUO units for $3200 - $4200 and a new LE can be had for $5K + shipping.

To each their own but if i had to choose two it'd be WH2O and LOTR. Whirlwind gets pretty old pretty quick. But it also goes without saying you REALLY need to seek these out and spend some time on them and THEN decide what fits your style.
 
I'm shooting for things that go less than 1500 on average. I really like a game with ramps and rails, or things that happen to the ball.
 
What I really want, however, is a decently priced (less than 1000) well designed, complex, not too fancy pinball that I want to come back to, and gets the job done.
 
What I really want, however, is a decently priced (less than 1000) well designed, complex, not too fancy pinball that I want to come back to, and gets the job done.

$1500 will buy you #1 and #2. #1 would be in pretty rough shape for that money though. #2 decent shape for sure.
$1000 won't buy you much in the SS territory I'm afraid. At least in decent condition anyway.

But on the bright side keep scanning Craigslist or eBay. Sometimes a person gets lucky.
 
Assuming you meant:
1.) Whitewater
2.) Whirlwind
3.) Lord of the Rings


1.) Becoming a very popular game driving prices up a tad. $1800-$2200
I didn't much care for it because the pf is mostly covered up.

2.) Another fairly popular one but peoples prices on this are quite skewed. Price on this is $1200 - $1800. People can call prices all they want but I've seen several of these in NICE condition multiple times for the price range I listed. I owned one and sold it. Not my cup of tea either. The voice calls are gawd awful terrible quality and to make matters worse and annoying.

3.) HELL YES in my book. This is a stop and go game. When you get decent enough the ball times become very long. Some people don;t like long games. But the other benny to this game is the deep rule set that will keep you coming back for more and more. Not too many people have completed LOTR.
Price - I've seen several HUO units for $3200 - $4200 and a new LE can be had for $5K + shipping.

To each their own but if i had to choose two it'd be WH2O and LOTR. Whirlwind gets pretty old pretty quick. But it also goes without saying you REALLY need to seek these out and spend some time on them and THEN decide what fits your style.

LOTR is stop and go? Since when?
 
Dude have you ever played LOTR?
The ring shot - STOP
Orthanc shot - STOP
Bar-Dur shot - STOP
The Shire - STOP
Gimli shot - STOP
I could also add the sword ramp on multi ball - stop

Now add the lanes feeding the bumpers for slow down and especially the POTD for slow down. Not sure what your idea of stop and go is but I would say this is the epitome of it. But please by all means express how you see it.
 
I never really thought of it being stop and go. The mode intro can be skipped, and the other shots aren't really held long other than POTD and shire. It seems to me that it plays fast compared to TZ or TSPP.
 
If you are looking for a DMD machine for under a grand, you might want to start looking at some Data East games. Lethal Weapon 3, Last Action Hero, WWF Royal Rumble, Rocky and Bullwinkle just to name a few. There are also some Bally games that come to mind like Dr. Dude (not a DMD) and Party Zone. Start by looking local. You could add $300+ to the price of the game if it needs to be shipped and you never can be sure of the real condition of it.

Good luck with your search. It's a great hobby to get into.
 
LOTR may not be as bad as TZ or TSPP for ball holding times but it sure is not a fast game like SM which only stops the ball in the Doc Oc and Sandman VUKs. Practically every shot in LOTR stops the ball, if only for a couple of seconds.
 
Where are you from in Michigan, MrHiu2? I am in Grand Rapids and I have two pins I am looking to sell soon for $1000 each. A Baywatch and a Bride of Pinbot. Both are in good condition and fully working, but not collector pieces. If you are local, you are welcome to come out and play them!
 
I may be partial since its my one and onlr pinball for more but get yourself a getaway. Rule set is no as in depth as other pins but its a fast game and super charger I
s a hit
 
If you like ramps and good flow you might be able to find a decent Demolition Man for $1200 or less? It's a very underrated and undervalued pin as many will tell you. It is also part of the Williams wide body super pin series. If this is your first pin I would suggest you buy one that is in good working condition and bigger bonus if recently shopped so you can get a few years of enjoyment before you have to do it again. Again this would depend on how frequently you play it but best to get a fully working machine as your first so that way you don't get discouraged from getting into this hobby.
 
What I really want, however, is a decently priced (less than 1000) well designed, complex, not too fancy pinball that I want to come back to, and gets the job done.

In your price range I recommend Terminator 2. It has a dot matrix display and is the pinnacle of flow and fun. Only downside is the rules are quite shallow compared to some other modern games. That and the theme and art aren't for everyone.

good luck and prepare for the addiction!

Shawn

my pins: BoP, CFTBL, TSPP, NGG, cyclone
 
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