Whatever comes up. I had a TAF offered once to me for $1k, and a no name EM for 7k.

I learned early to just see what comes up, buy it, and if it doesn't pan out, I sell it. You would be amazed at the games you never thought you would like, and vice versa.

double post

I wouldn't buy a game based on some ranking. Some top 10 games don't do it much for me. Some games that I think I would like, I don't and vice versa. The only way to figure out what you like is by playing. You can do what Atomicboy suggested and just buy whatever is available. I rather not waste time and money and figure out exactly what I want.

The updated prices on the game pages are much more realistic than they were a year ago. I don't see anything in the Top 20 going for much less than $4k unless you're super lucky or the machine needs work. From a pure rankings perspective, at $3k in great shape you're looking at some of the B/W titles in the 30s - FH, TS, WW, BSD, NGG. Like the previous poster said, you're not going to get a great response if you're basing primarily off ranking and not style of game.

Plenty of good, affordable pins a little deeper in the rankings. Getaway HS II, The Shadow, Judge Dredd, Fish Tales, BSD

Basically 1/2 the price of pins in the top 20.

Ripleys believe it or not ....

I pick up whatever is cheap. There are a handful of pins I'd like to try to get above others, but I'll grab whatever bargains pop up. And if I don't like a pin after fixing it up and playing it, I can always sell it to someone else who will enjoy it for a while.

If you want to get a chance to play and learn rules before you buy, check out the pinball arcade app.

Also, since you're in NJ, the Silverball Museum looks to be about an hour away from you. They have a good selection of games to play, though the last time I was there, pretty much all the DMD games had weak flippers (I'm hoping that has been corrected by this point).

Highly underrated and/or undervalued games:
2k-3k
Demolition Man
Johnny Mnemonic
World Cup Soccer 94
Tales from the Crypt
The Shadow

If you need something in the top 20, Star Trek:TNG and White Water are undervalued for the high level of play you get. You will not find either under 3k tho.

Get a short want list of games that are acceptable to you and your wife. Keep theme in mind also. If she hates fish, then do have her try out Fish Tales. I would send a friendly PM to locals in your area that own a game you are interested in and ask if you could stop by and give it a try. Use the Pinside map to find locals in your area that have one you are looking at. I tried out games at friends before I bought on my last few pickups. Bring your wife if you go also. Have her involved in the decision and you will both be happy. If a game that you like may seem to hard for her or yourself just put it on 5 ball until you are comfortable with it.

I think you are on the right track with The Getaway and Whirlwind. DM, WCS, T2, JM, I500, BK, BK2000, and Shadow are great in the $1500-$3000 price point. Mustang Pro's HUO have been selling in the mid $3,500's if you can find one.

If you ease into the comfortable $1500-3000 price point on a top 100 game and you will be happy. You can sell these for around what you paid all day long.

Road Show is in the $2-3k range and has two heads and two shooter lanes. You can't get that kind of value with the other games mentioned so far. Funhouse has only one head and sells for more. In terms of heads for your dollar, Road Show is ridiculous.

I always point people to this article. It's not a definitive list or anything like that, but it is a great starting point. The prices have gone up long since this blog was first published (I would say current prices are 50% higher than those mentioned in the blog). But the sentiment regarding relative value is still valid:
http://gameroomblog.com/guides/the-top-ten-best-bargains-in-pinball-today

Add JM to that list. Awesome and fun pin I just added and I love it. Even my family loves it which is really saying something.

Great article. Thanks for sharing. I've had a few of those titles listed and I can't agree more. Still have never played Shadow or BSD but certainly would love to some day.

Add WPT, Stargate and Doctor Who...

Since you're not looking to do a lot of maintenance, I recommend a newer Stern. ACDC Pro and Xmen Pro are both pretty damn good and can be had for around $3500.

Or for $2500 you can skew older and get a Fish Tales or World Cup Soccer. Or for $2000 you can skew creepy and get a Tales From the Crypt or Frankenstein. All excellent bang-for-the-buck titles.

Getaway

I have not seen any X-Men Pro at that price recently. Most have still be above $4,000.

I am new to all of this, but I, too am looking for titles within my budget (UNDER $2500), obviously that are not top 10 or 20. But I find a HUGE disparity in prices - is that norm? For example, I really want a Xenon for sentimental reasons, but one seller was asking $4000? Are you kidding me?

Sometimes you might find that a person tries to sell something for more than it's worth. Crazy, I know.

Hey Stevevt,
I sense sarcasm, but go easy on me, I'm new to the whole pin scene and some of the prices for older units make my jaw drop!

Sorry about that. Welcome to the hobby. A couple good resources for determining market prices:

bostonpinball.biz (click the eBay Sales Summary link on the top right for the most current list)
pinballprice.com (figure out the horrible interface, then do some searching)

When you see a "crazy" price, it's at least possible the condition and/or restoration level explains why it's above the average market price. It's also possible the person selling it either has no idea what it's worth, will only sell it for more than it's worth for whatever reason, or is just looking for a sucker. The longer you hang out, read, learn, talk to other pinball people, etc., the easier it will be to figure out.

Get a budget that you are comfortable with. Go play as many games as you can and get a want list. Meet as many people as you can along the way and they can help you later and become your friends forever even. Look at the sales forum history for certain games to help gauge a value. Buy from a local Pinsider as a first one. Thank you!

Thanks for the links/advice stevet! IT'll take a while before I soak in the 'normal' prices of particular machines. I'll check 'em out.

pinnyheadhead - thanks for advice on past sales - I didn't know that was a feature!

Old pins are like old cars.

You can get a rusted '67 Fastback Mustang for $10,000 or you can get a '67 Mustang show car for $150,000.

-

You will find lots of average Xenons for $1000, but a completely re-manufactured one will certainly run you $4,000+