Ok ok ok ok ok.

It got "bumped" along with games like WH20 due to new collector market insanity. Excellent examples are $3500-4000. Collector quality much more as high $6500 for true HUO. The problem is parts, NOS parts are very scarce this machine now if you want a "perfect" game. Not enough reproduction components due to initial lower interest .

Traded a Nip-It to a guy about 15 years ago. Had a choice of Centaur or LW3. I picked the LW3. Of course I would have tripled my money on the Centaur but who cares? My kids still love the LW3 and would have hated the Centaur...

What does a $6,500 Shadow actually look like?

http://www.treasurecovepinball.com/photo-gallery.htm
Select "The Shadow".
Don't soil yourself.

You will get the idea, in terms of actual HEP restoration.
Only roughly one step down from a NIB HUO.
I think this machine was a little more, around $7500 when sold, not counting shipping and crating.

Bottom line is "they are out there", but expensive.
When I restored mine I had to install over $1500 of NOS parts and that was in 2004, I believe.

I would never pay $6500 for a Shadow, even a 24k hep. Give me a Met prem all day long

I agree thats crazy as ive seen very nice ones for 3 -3500 .

I'm interested in buying a HS II if anyone wants to sell me theirs. I'm in Memphis.

I sold my bsd for 3200. It had a lot in it. Under cab flasher Led's. Topper. New plastics. Full tear down and a lot of things rebuilt. No ware playfield and ramps. And I was very happy to get that. Was also surprised not to be low balled like most of my games are.

And I did see the one listed for 2750. I thought that was priced for quick sale. And it Sold the same day listed. Which means it was under priced.

I'll tell you where, LAH! Arnold call-outs (especially with latest ROM), shaker, magnets, 6 ball multiball. Play one that is set-up correctly and I don't see how it can't be on the list.

Keep in mind tftc got new code last year! Really polished the game up nicely. New previously unused sounds, updated rules all around. Really well done.

That pin strikes me as good bang for buck <2k. Same goes for the Royal Rumble I'm picking up. Can't really think of any good BLY/WMS DMDs still <2k. It's all Data East and Sega stuff, which is fine. They made lots of fun pins.

I think you are better off spending a little extra to get a really good $3500 game as opposed to a decent $2500 game. Maybe even step up to a modern Stern pro with deep rules/features. Bang for your buck implies you are getting a lot for your money. I think a lot of those pins are priced about right for what they are. I love games like FT, HS2, T2, etc. but they are pretty shallow and not exactly dirt cheap. HS2 was my first pin and still have it. I love it but have to admit it's not a good choice as your only pin.

Bang for your buck means getting 2 System 11 pins for the $3000.

Best era in pinball

Hhm, silent majority on Fish Tales it seems, so I'll chime in as that was also my vote. I recently picked one up and have been pleasantly surprised how much fun it is. It plays fast, good flow, game times aren't long, great audio and animations, broad appeal. Everyone that has been introduced to the machine likes it including women, kids, and advanced players. I didn't think I'd have it for long, but I also recently got a great deal on a ColorDMD and threw it in. There's some attention to detail in this game, including the high score animation and music. Kudos to Mark Ritchie. It's going to be tough to let go of this one.

I agree. System 11 has great themes and good game play on a lot of titles. As long as you got some deeper rule games system 11's are fun.

I have to put my vote in for Data East and Saga pins. I've owned lots of Williams games. The others are harder to sell. And if you rebuild and put time and money into them people only want to pay bottom price for them.

My favorite game by far under 3k is Johnny Mnemonic. Ultra fast game when dialed in. I prefer it over many "A" list games.