First this guy: https://www.ebay.com/itm/302495401269 MSRP is $130, they want $210(!) for it as a starting bid. Next, what would be a fair price for this Kato N GE ES44AC GE Hybrid Demonstrator? I can't find it anywhere. http://katousa.com/N/ES44AC/old/176-8911.jpg Either way it sounds like I will be paying out the nose. Is one manufacturer better than another? How would you compare the two? As far as I know these are the only companies producing an N scale GE Hybrid Demonstrator.
The first one (Fox Valley Models) is in demand and I haven't seen many for sale so when they do show up, they ask above MSRP. The second listing (Kato) #2005 shows up more often. There are a couple recent sales for $80 and $90. There is an active listing for $115 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kato-Ge-Demo-2005-ES44AC-/253212094810 You can always "Make an Offer"...looks like the seller has agreed to some offers in the past. FVM made the UP 7605 that is similar to the #2005.
While I can't speak for the running characteristics of either the FVM or the Kato models, the MSRP and some recent sales history for Kato's version is provided below: Kato 176-8911 N GE ES44AC GEVO GE Demonstrator #2005 MSRP $120 Kato 176-8911 N GE ES44AC GEVO GE Demonstrator #2005 (Kobo Shops Exclusive Decoder Equipped) MSRP $160 Three used ones recently sold on eBay for $79.95 - $89.95, from September 26 - October 17, 2017 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kato-N-Sca...418141?hash=item2cc702ea9d:g:4pkAAOSwP2dZyo49 https://www.ebay.com/itm/N-Scale-Ka...504733&hash=item56a2b4eb3d:g:cxYAAOSwixhZhMPa https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kato-N-Sca...636960&hash=item2cc7c5da13:g:HkIAAOSw7o5Z3S3B
Caveat Emptor! The locomotive mentioned in Ryan's eBay link is used and not new; as the seller has incorrectly indicated in the Item Condition that is displayed under the listing title. Further down in the item description is the following line of text: "Damage/Broken/Missing Pieces: missing 1 window insert on the front of the engine"
