What's a realistic budget for a first pin?

[Bennyfactor]

What's a realistic budget for a first pin?
I'm in Perth and looking to get my first pinball in the next 6-9 months, and just looking ahead I'm wondering what sort of money would be sensible to have put away when looking for my first pin?

I don't want a big project first up, but something that needs minor work is ok - i like pulling things apart to find out how they work
I'm not tied to a particular era of pins, EM SS DMD are all fine by me but I do want something that's going to be fun to play and isn't going to get boring quickly

[Pintoxicated]

$2000-2500 will get you a nice machine that will hold your attention.  It won't be an A list machine but alot of them are over rated anyway.

[Strangeways]

It really depends on what you want to sink your teeth into - EMs are usually under $1000, SS are under $2000 and DMDs can cost $2000 - $4000 depending on the title.

[Caveoftreasures]

i feel it is best to buy a dmd fully working for your first pin. best bang for ya buck.

(buy a working machine, because if u get bogged down fixing something, it might put you off buying more pins in the future).

a great dmd machine can be had for around 2 grand. Oscar should still have some great titles left for around that money.

It all depends where you live.  plenty of great machines available for around 2 grand.

[narf]

maybe try a working project

me and daics cut our teeth on one from morrie and gibo

was working just needed a really good clean and shop out. that way you get your hands dirty and learn the machine as you go

[ajlaird]

If you can do it, buy two machines straight up, even if one is a project. The beauty of owning two machines is that you get some variety, and if one machine is down then you can still play the other while working on the one that has problems. If you had around $3600 - $4000 you would be able to get yourself two decent titles.

[Bennyfactor]

I see your point cave
I have been wondering if I'm better off getting into an older pin first and over time moving to the DMDs, but I can't help thinking that a DMD has more to offer and so will hold my attention longer

I like that idea Narf, i'm happy to get a pin that needs a really good clean, and an overall shop, but I'm not looking to be restoring a playfield or fixing anything major

I wish i had the $$ and space for 2 pins, but I've gotta be realistic and 1 cheapie needs to be what I'm looking at first time around
so something like a fish tales or judge dredd would be what I'm looking for?

[wonder]

Fishtails is a great game,will take one before a JD.You want something you can play not fix.

[Prince]

How about Popeye?
One on ebay at the moment - http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Popeye-Pinball-Machine-/380236447589?cmd=ViewItem&pt=AU_CoinOp&hash=item5887dbbf65

Curious to see how much this goes for + freight to Perth, might be ideal for your first pin.

[Ric]

Popeye is considered to be a dog of a machine

If you are coming into the hobby, I would recommended a working pin  as a first pin and maybe a project as a second or third. Projects can create unforseen hassles and may actually turn you off pinball.

for a first game, you want to be able to turn it on and play it.

as for what tyepe of game, it is personal preference. Try to get out and play some to get an idea of what you like. Some people love the feel and skill of an EM whilst others find them slow and uninteresting. Similarly some people find the speed of a lotof DMD games to be frustrating.  

Play some games and narrow down an era and then research ipdb to see the types of games made at that time.

[indazone gav]

What's a realistic budget for a first pin?
I'm in Perth and looking to get my first pinball in the next 6-9 months, and just looking ahead I'm wondering what sort of money would be sensible to have put away when looking for my first pin?

I don't want a big project first up, but something that needs minor work is ok - i like pulling things apart to find out how they work
I'm not tied to a particular era of pins, EM SS DMD are all fine by me but I do want something that's going to be fun to play and isn't going to get boring quickly

$9,000 get a MM

[ajlaird]

I see your point cave
I have been wondering if I'm better off getting into an older pin first and over time moving to the DMDs, but I can't help thinking that a DMD has more to offer and so will hold my attention longer

I like that idea Narf, i'm happy to get a pin that needs a really good clean, and an overall shop, but I'm not looking to be restoring a playfield or fixing anything major

I wish i had the $$ and space for 2 pins, but I've gotta be realistic and 1 cheapie needs to be what I'm looking at first time around
so something like a fish tales or judge dredd would be what I'm looking for?

Fish Tales is a good fun title. Some people regard it as too shallow to be a long term keeper; others see it as a definite in their collection. I suspect $2500 would score you a real nice one, although they can be had for less.

[Bennyfactor]

Thanks for the suggestion Gav, MM doesn't quite fit my criteria this time around 

I wish i had the $$ and space for 2 pins, but I've gotta be realistic and 1 cheapie needs to be what I'm looking at first time around
so something like a fish tales or judge dredd would be what I'm looking for?

[Pinmem]

Thanks for the plug Brett, There is still a few machines at that price.

[Caveoftreasures]

Believe it or not, POPEYE is a bloody good machine to play and own !
The title seems to be "kid like", but from a pure pinball point of view, it is a Williams widebody, and has alot going for it.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is another "kid like" game, but alot of fun. Another keeper.

Some machines can be serious, some "kid like" machines can be lots of fun.

Go for a DMD machine, buy it shopped, cause sellers like Oscar in melb have machines suited to your budget that will not let ya down like a Ebay surprise machine might ?

Be quick but, cause all the bargains get snapped up real quick !