The last pin I bought was a HS2 about 1.5 years ago. At that time there were a lot of good titles available for $2k or less. Based on the price check posts it looks like pin prices have climbed fast. So what do you recommend for under $2k these days? I'm located in Michigan by the Ohio line if region makes any difference.
Thanks!
Tim
I'd recommend a System 11 machine. Definitely best "bang for buck" deal out there. Earthshaker, Whirlwind, Diner, Taxi, Elvira and the Party Monsters, to name a few.
In average (or below) condition? You can buy a LOT for 2K. You should ask this question providing more details like. "I don't care if it's a beater" AND if you want a DMD or digital scoring solid state. I am still thinking the best DMD games for under 2K are Starship Troopers, Mario Andretti, Baywatch, and Royal Rumble. X Files, Godzilla, Goldeneye aren't bad games either... but they may only be under 2K in the summer months or if an unshopped/routed game. The themes are so-so but they are all good games for 2500 or (WAY) less.
Be patient is the best advice. I too have around 2k to spend, and I have seen a Judge Dredd, Star Trek, and Lethal Weapon 3 all very close to me in good shape, all under 2k, but just not what i'm looking for. Still holding out hoping to find an Elvira and the Party Monsters or Tales from the Crypt in that price range, no luck. I do believe prices for popular machines are a bit higher here in the Lone Star State.....
We've just got a bunch of pins in, and while most of them are dirty and need work, I'd be happy to shop and sell just about any of 'em for 2k each. We're in Cleveland too, so it's not a bad drive. Let's see. We have:
World Cup Soccer
Gilligan's Island
Whirlwind
Judge Dredd
Rocky and Bullwinkle
Tales from the Crypt
Goldeneye
DE Batman
The Machine
Terminator 2
Diner
Baywatch
plus we have (not sure on the price, but probably not much over 2k)
X-files
Black Rose
MSF
Beat up South Park
Stargate
Flintstones
We also have a BSD, but the jerks removed the main entry ramp before they sold it to us, so until I can find one, that's not available yet. 
and possibly a couple other I'm forgetting.
I got one for sale. (a WCS) Mike
http://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/fs-swep1-wcs-and-nbafb
Lots of good games out there for $2000 and less. look at Sega and Gottlieb for the best bang for the buck in my opinion. $2000 is actually the most I have spent and all of my current collection has been bought in the last 3 years.
Quoted from CadillacMusic:We've just got a bunch of pins in, and while most of them are dirty and need work, I'd be happy to shop and sell just about any of 'em for 2k each. We're in Cleveland too, so it's not a bad drive. Let's see. We have:
World Cup Soccer
Gilligan's Island
Whirlwind
Judge Dredd
rocky and bullwinkle
Tales from the Crypt
Goldeneye
DE Batman
The Machine
Terminator 2
Diner
Baywatch
plus we have (not sure on the price, but probably not much over 2k)
X-files
Black Rose
MSF
Beat up South Park
Stargate
Flintstones
We also have a BSD, but the jerks removed the main entry ramp before they sold it to us, so until I can find one, that's not available yet.
and possibly a couple other I'm forgetting.
Sorry I don't see anything on that first or second list that would be over 2k and a beat up SP over 2k yah right,, xfiles over 2k come on man are you for real. The second list should be cheaper then the first. 
I've got a fully working (no credit dot) No Fear in Columbus that I would sell for $1800. It's in pretty nice shape but does have cabinet fade. Just let me know if you'd like pics or more info.
Quoted from Brtlkat:Sorry I don't see anything on that first or second list that would be over 2k and a beat up SP over 2k yah right,, xfiles over 2k come on man are you for real. The second list should be cheaper then the first.
*shrug* I'm not making him buy them. It's just ones that will make money for us on the route. Naturally we're selling them for more. Considering anyone else who does retail tends to mark up by over $1000, I don't think it's unreasonable to sell them for $300 more than 11-month-old book price.
Thanks for all the ideas. I think I will be patient as many of you have suggested and maybe look for a WCS94 or Whirlwind to come on the market within a reasonable distance.
@CadillacMusic - I appreciate the list but I really don't want to pay a premium... although I do give you credit for being in the retail market and not marking things up by $1000... which I agree seems to be the norm.
Personally I like the old 80s games (meteor, black hole, blackout, flash gordon) but the kids can't seem to get into anything that doesn't have some bling.
Quoted from garman411:Can you still find a Fish Tales for 2k?
I haven't in quite a while but if you could find one for $2k or less that would be an excellent choice for a first pin.
Quoted from Skypilot:I have a SST that just about shopped and ready to go at 1700
quiet down about SST's. I don't need temptations. Especially if the cabinet is very nice and florescents arn't faded.
HS2, WW, Dr. Who or T2 are 4 games you should be able to get for under $2K and all four are a lot of fun.....I would rate them HS2, WW, T2 and then Dr. Who. You also might be able to find a JP for under $2K and that is a pin a lot of people like as well....the days of a Shadow or BSD for under $2K are probably gone !!!!
Quoted from pinmods:A Jackbot. One of the most under-rated and low production run Williams pins in existence.
+1
Or Whirlwind or Elvira, two of my favorites, or HS2/Getaway.
Quoted from PW79:Anyone else hear the 2liveCrew/FullMetalJacket line when reading the thread title?
That was "What can I get for $10?. Evwy fing you want! Everything!....evwy fing!"
Captain Neo... how are you my old friend? If you can point me towards one of those, I would be a buyer!
Thanks
Steve
mostly over here. Your kinda stuck in the corner of the world over there. Only one direction to drive....diagonal SW 
Makes your traveling limited. Need to be over here to get good deals. More available all directions.
If ANYONE has a Batman Forever at 1500.00 I would be very interested, located in RI.. moving to MA soon
Quoted from Iamdarras:I'm in the NW and ya can't get muffin for 2gs
But we do gots us really cheap cases of Shasta at WinCo!
I'll say it again. JackBot. Only 2400 produced with an awesome theme and great video modes.
Oh and did I mention that I have one for sale?
Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.
Great to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!
This page was printed from https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/what-can-i-get-for-2k/page/1 and we tried optimising it for printing. Some page elements may have been deliberately hidden.
Scan the QR code on the left to jump to the URL this document was printed from.
Sylvania, OH
Breda
Kelowna, BC