Crc_Error Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Is it worth buying an Atari 400 in used condition for $250 Canadian? Can it be improved with upgrades etc? I saw it listed locally..... Comes with what you see in the photos. I already have a 800XL and 65XE. I know the vintage Atari bug has bitten me and it will get out of hand but I am curious on your great opinions...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MrFish Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Not worth it in my book (250 CAD = 205 USD). All the carts are common (read: not worth very much -- maybe $30 - $40 as a group), the machine isn't in any great condition -- doesn't even include a power supply. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Westphal Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 (edited) I have two completely restored 48k 400’s that come with a dust cover for $125. All my comps are tested on a official Atari factory testing station. FYI - The Uno cart works on these, but NOT on an 800. Eightbitfix.com Edited May 11, 2021 by Paul Westphal 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MrFish Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 8 minutes ago, Paul Westphal said: I have two completely restored 48k 400’s that come with a dust cover for $125. All my comps are tested on a official Atari factory testing station. 48k... that makes a big difference, given a stock 400 is a mere 16k. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Westphal Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 I have found that the 48k 400 also greatly benefits from Sdrive2. To see Koronis Rift running on a 400 is epic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugarland Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Yeah not sure about prices up there but it seems high for what you are getting. Completely with you on the bug bite!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TGB1718 Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 No, don't feed the greedy ones ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinjinhawke Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 The Atari gods keep sending me gifts on a platter and I keep failing to take them. During the winter I could have a 400 for $65 CAD and didn't bite and on the weekend was a complete Atari 65xegs for $150 CAD. I already have 600xl, 800xl and 130xe so what do I need them for but I have serious regrets. $250 seems like a lot to me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faicuai Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 10 hours ago, Crc_Error said: Is it worth buying an Atari 400 in used condition for $250 Canadian? Can it be improved with upgrades etc? I saw it listed locally..... Comes with what you see in the photos. I already have a 800XL and 65XE. I know the vintage Atari bug has bitten me and it will get out of hand but I am curious on your great opinions...... If you can post pics. from underneath panel (showing manuf. label) and top-lid OPEN, up-close, that would help a lot. By just looking at the case, it has NOT been stored ptoperly. That's very likely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hwlngmad Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 In my opinion, no. Now, if it was for around 100 and was proven to be in good, working, and pretty clean condition. Otherwise, I would say that this is a hard pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+slx Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 I'd go for the 125$ ones from @Paul Westphal (if I hadn't one already). IMHO the main attraction of the 400 (apart from being safer if you have drooling dogs or kids) is its razor-sharp 1970s design that would not look amiss on the bridge of the Enterprise. Until the mythical "400 Incognito" is released, it won't be able to play many newer games even with 48K installed). I have not used mine in ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faicuai Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 14 hours ago, Crc_Error said: Is it worth buying an Atari 400 in used condition for $250 Canadian? Here's what appears to be a better, solid deal: ATARI 400 Personal Computer WITH BOX - VINTAGE!! | eBay That machine shows unmistakable signs of having been well stored. This pristine condition of the decals on the back-panel (especially the WHITE one), is sure sign, plus the fact that is coming with boxes. It is not color-perfect, but I would bet it would not need more than 30mins on a good sunny day. Just ask the vendor if we would accept shipping to CANADA, and what price. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillC Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 19 hours ago, Crc_Error said: Is it worth buying an Atari 400 in used condition for $250 Canadian? Can it be improved with upgrades etc? I saw it listed locally..... Comes with what you see in the photos. I already have a 800XL and 65XE. I know the vintage Atari bug has bitten me and it will get out of hand but I am curious on your great opinions...... Here's another 400 complete with box in Point Roberts that does ship to Canada, final price is unknown(currently ~C$135) since it it an auction ending 7:17PDT this evening. It doesn't include cartridges but since you already have other Atari models you probably don't need any other than BASIC. https://www.ebay.ca/itm/353482664197?hash=item524d356905:g:UC4AAOSw9~Ngkf5n&shqty=1&isGTR=1#shId Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atarialoha Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 (edited) LOL I don't even have one physical Atari 8-bit machine. The problem is storage space. I get yelled at enough already for keeping my "stuff" around. Do you know I have to put away ALL my electronics gear when I am "done" with them? (This means maybe 1 week, tops!). So if I have to solder anything, I need to get them all out again. And I'd better not flick any hot solder onto the furniture! ? Anyways, you guys keep buying the vintage gear. I say that because I know you folks will take good care of it. Then later sell some to me, when I finally can afford my own 2,000 sq.ft. "super secret scientist lab™". One of these days LOL Edited May 11, 2021 by atarialoha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WizWor Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 Value is something no one can decide for you. If you want it and can afford it, buy it. I would look a bit before paying any price. I paid $99.99 for my 400 around 1983, I think. It was $149.99 out the door with a $50 mail in rebate. My first computer and my first rebate. I clearly remember the moment -- seeing it on an endcap at Zayre's department store and thinking, "Who can't afford a $100 computer?" Probably my best impulse buy ever. I was kind of surprised to see how much a 400 is fetching on ebay. I did, however, find one buy it now for $170 shipped and another that ends in four days which has no bids and starts at $120 shipped (all USD). Might be worth contacting the seller about shipping to Canada. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+kheller2 Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 AT $250 CDN you are approaching 1200XL territory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 7 hours ago, slx said: I'd go for the 125$ ones from @Paul Westphal (if I hadn't one already). IMHO the main attraction of the 400 (apart from being safer if you have drooling dogs or kids) is its razor-sharp 1970s design that would not look amiss on the bridge of the Enterprise. Until the mythical "400 Incognito" is released, it won't be able to play many newer games even with 48K installed). I have not used mine in ages. Agreed. +1 for Paul. I have spoken to him many time, and he is a great guy. He has been around a long time, and knows what he is doing as far as repair and refurbs. Class act. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbking67 Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 No its not worth it... nothing there is uncommon and you'd be able to get an 800 or 800xl for that price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crc_Error Posted May 12, 2021 Author Share Posted May 12, 2021 Thank you to all who have replied. I'll make him an offer of $75 CDN. I'll probably be told to take a really polite hike. I do agree it is approaching 1200XL territory in price. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1814474392053328/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Westphal Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 On 5/11/2021 at 5:33 PM, scotty said: Agreed. +1 for Paul. I have spoken to him many time, and he is a great guy. He has been around a long time, and knows what he is doing as far as repair and refurbs. Class act. Wow - Thank You for the endorsement ♥️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+x=usr(1536) Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 (edited) On 5/11/2021 at 4:48 PM, BillC said: Here's another 400 complete with box in Point Roberts that does ship to Canada, final price is unknown(currently ~C$135) since it it an auction ending 7:17PDT this evening. It doesn't include cartridges but since you already have other Atari models you probably don't need any other than BASIC. https://www.ebay.ca/itm/353482664197?hash=item524d356905:g:UC4AAOSw9~Ngkf5n&shqty=1&isGTR=1#shId If they're in Point Roberts, just drive down and collect it. Worst thing that happens is that CBSA asks for CAN$20-30 coming back in. Or just have the seller huck it over the border; nobody'll ever notice that Edited May 13, 2021 by x=usr(1536) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crc_Error Posted May 14, 2021 Author Share Posted May 14, 2021 9 hours ago, x=usr(1536) said: If they're in Point Roberts, just drive down and collect it. Worst thing that happens is that CBSA asks for CAN$20-30 coming back in. Or just have the seller huck it over the border; nobody'll ever notice that LOL! Worse that can happen is stay in hotel for 2 weeks at my expense. LOL! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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