Topic: Buying Used Tornado Cyclone

[jqhuynh]

Hey guys.  I've been searching all over the place but haven't found any information about a particular Tornado Cyclone foosball table.  I'm looking to buy a used brown marble (non-coin op) table in excellent condition for $300.  Can you guys let me know if this is a good price?  I asked the seller how old the table is and he said he bought it between 2001-2003.  Does this sound accurate to you guys?  I wish I knew the Tornado history so I can validate this.  I'm taking another visit to see it before I buy.  Should I look for anything in particular other than the obvious stuff to make sure it's in good condition?  Thank you in advance for any help you guys can provide.

[jinhopark]

I am no Tornado table expert so take what I am saying with a grain of salt, but it sounds like a TP 2000???  Look at these pictures:

http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=136003&ppid=1122&image=198697937&images=198697893,198697937&formats=0,0&format=0

I think the model you are looking to buy is the one on top?

[bbtuna]

Tornado hasn't made a brown marble since 1997 (coin op or other)
the table you are looking at, is it a split top but without a coin op?  if so, $300 would be a good deal

a split top means it has hinges and opens up like it is a coin op ... same table as a coin op they just didn't put in the coin mechanism...i have one

if it is not a split top, you are paying too much

the person may have bought it in 2001-2003...USED or if he bought it new, someone ripped him off and sold off stock that was 4 to 7 years old

see my link on this subject, it gives years and what to look for and loads of other stuff you probably don't need right now

http://www.foosball.com/forum/index.php?topic=2704.0


don't pull the trigger too fast, you are in the drivers seat with this table...when you go, take pictures, good pics, lots of pics and post them here and we can help evaluate the table for you

[jqhuynh]

Thank you guys!  I appreciate the feedback.  It is definitely a Cyclone because I remember the logo on the side.  I was able to snap two pictures which I'll upload now (link below).  It's definitely not a coin-op and not a split top.  Thanks again...hope these pictures help.

http://picasaweb.google.com/jqhuynh/Tornado#

[alaskan thunder]

Wait and you can get a coin op for just a little bit more. You will just end up selling that one to buy a coin op anyways.

[jqhuynh]

I just can't see myself paying much more for a nice foosball table.  I'm really just looking for a nice high end home unit for some friendly competitive matches with buddies.  I don't think I would upgrade to a coin-op.  I still would like to know how much this is worth in your opinion and I still would like to know what year this Cyclone was released.  Thanks!

[bbtuna]

it looks to be in good shape...Brown Marble tables, as I said, stopped production in 1997 so this table is at least 12 years old...the cyclone in those days was the best it has been and for how you want to use the table this would be an okay purchase

not an okay price, just a reasonable table from the little we can see...are all the rods straight?  Rods are $32.5 plus shipping so take that into consideration

also, know that i have helped people buy a lot of coin ops and have tracked their sales on eBay coming up on 4 years...a brown marble coin op with the plastic feet sell for $350 to $450 very regularly...you will find some clowns on eBay trying to rip people off (there is one or two up right now) trying to sell them like they are near new and over a $1000 but I have NEVER seen one sold when they are posted like this

if that table is in near perfect shape and doesn't need rods, I would say $300 TOPS since it is at least 12 years old and was not more than $800 full retail when it was new

i am very leary of someone who lies straight out, don't know what they are saying with the 2001-2003...I would ask them straight up...tell them you have it on good authority that Brwn Mrbl's with plastic feet were made between 1988 and 1997 so you are confused about the 2001-2003 time frame and were wondering if they could explain - then after all the hem hawing, offer $250 (again, assuming no need for new rods, take off $40 per rod that needs to be changed) and work from there

[jqhuynh]

Thank you for the great advice.  I think I'm going to hold off.  I called the guy up and didn't really like what I heard when I asked about the purchase year.  I will continue to search online for a better used tables.  I prefer a non coin-op table no more than 6-7yrs old.  Would you be able to give me a good price range to look for?  Are there particular models from 02-present that are build better/worse and your opinions which models are best for the money.  You've seen what's out there and you know what they sell for.  Your opinion would be very valuable to me.  Thank you!

[bbtuna]

read my article/post on recommendations on buying a table...i don't go into detail about why buy a coin op verses home model but i will give you a few here - http://www.foosball.com/forum/index.php?topic=2704.0

* you can get the coin op for near the same price and often for less with the right shopping

*  the coin op is built much much better...I have played on Cyclones and have had friends who owned them and they play okay but they don't last near as long - you can play the entire game and learn to be a good player on a Cyclone, a regular poster who won Worlds Semi-Pro Singles 2008 (very hard to do) got to that level practicing on a Cyclone so it can be done BUT BUT BUT - why bother if you can get a better table at or near the same price

*  you buy a coin op, even the oldest Brown Marble, that is in reasonable shape, and with very least amount of care, that table will last you the rest of your life...literally  - I played for years on a 15 year old Brwn Mrbl that had been bar abused its entire life and it was still a good table and still playable...in your home, you can triple the life and so that would give you 45 years...I have seen a lot of metal feet brown marbles in decent shape and that means they are 21-26 years old - that table in decent shape is better than a brand new Cyclone

*  resale is better on a coin op since you have a wider audience because those who might want to place the table at a bar can also consider buying it

*  i have known a number of people on this board who skipped our advice and bought quick and then regretted it later but I haven't had anyone ever regret owning a coin op...they are such beasts, it is a table to be proud of even if you are a casual player

Summary, better table, lasts longer, better resale, same price - no brainer

[GeneT]

Pretty much just get any year coin-op.   When you look at them , look at the playing surface, if it is in good shape, you can replace everything else. Thats the good thing about Tornado. The tables are built well and with some minor effort you can bring any coin-op table back from the dead.  The playing surface is the most imporant thing to look at.  Some people with more experience may look at the bearing holes, but I have never found any that were that bad.

[bbtuna]

gene is 100% correct but i would add two caveots

1.  the table surface AND the inside walls...sometimes these blister or the rim around the goal is blown out...this can be changed too, as can the surface, but it is a lot of trouble and much money

2.  everything can be replaced but if everything needs to be replaced, it can get quite expensive and you need to take that into consideration...if you are just replacing a few things here and there, then no big deal but if you have to replace eight rods with shipping that is around $300 - all new men $125 - all new bearings $100 all new handles $40 new coin op over $100 etc

thankfully you never have to replace all of these but you get the idea...you need to assess this before making the purchase and use it as leverage to get the right price for the table

[jqhuynh]

Hey guys - I found a used Cyclone II (teak wood).  The seller wants $400 for it.  I haven't seen it yet but wanted to check in with you guys first before making a visit.  He says it was purchased back in '98.  Do you guys know what years the Cyclone II was in production and any key differences between Cyclone I and II?  I know you guys only recommend coin-ops but I am only a casual player looking for a solid built table.

Thanks again as always!

[bbtuna]

jqhuynh,

and 11 year old cyclone for $400 is not a good deal...even if you are a casual player, why not hold off and spend a little more, and get the best table made...even a 20 year old Brwn Mrble coin op is better than a brand new Cyclone II

takes a little more work but you will buy yourself a table which will literally last you the rest of your life with minimal basic care

how much is your budget?

[jqhuynh]

Yeah it seems a little high.  My budget is $300.  I know the right table is out there.  Just need to be patient about this.  What do you think this Cyclone II is worth and how much would you pay for it?

[bbtuna]

i wouldn't buy it so i wouldn't pay anything for it....if you could get it for $200 to $250, assuming it was in perfect shape, i guess that would be okay

if you are willing to pay $300 you are at the entry level of a brown mrble coin op....they range between $300 and $450 and I have seen a dozen or more sell within the last 12 months for this amount

if you want to pursue buying a non-coin op, i won't be of much help because i do not keep up with them

i have had friends who owned Cyclone II's and while they played fine even though the table is light compared with the coin op, they both started wearing out within two years and both were bought brand new...they paid about $950 brand new this included shipping...both have coin ops now