Used Stihl 180 c-be

[Cfran88]

Saw an ad on CL for uses Stihl 180 c-be for $135 with 14 inch bar. Just emailed so not sure if it's still for sale. The price is $100 less than dealer (also no tax). When I chatted up a dealer, the 180 or 251 c-be were my options because I need the easy start, the bigger saw was the better option long term. But I couldn't pull the trigger on a $400 saw that I'm unsure how much I'd use. $135 is money I wouldn't miss as much and could be a great intro gas saw (I only have an electric). Of course I'd want a bigger saw eventually but based on what I've read, the 180 wouldn't be useless even when owning multiple saws.

But I don't know much about chainsaws so maybe buying used is a bit over my head, but maybe not. What should I be sure to look for and ask?

The only real useful info the seller wrote is "Always used Sta-bil and Ethanol Shield"

 

[PaulOinMA]

I have a Stihl MS 180 C "Mini Boss" with a 14-inch bar. Good little saw for light-duty homeowner use.

The chain adjusting is a "nice to have."

 

[salecker]

Pull the muffler to check the health of the piston.
If he will not allow that set the saw down and walk away.

 

[Zack R]

Saw an ad on CL for uses Stihl 180 c-be for $135 with 14 inch bar. Just emailed so not sure if it's still for sale. The price is $100 less than dealer (also no tax). When I chatted up a dealer, the 180 or 251 c-be were my options because I need the easy start, the bigger saw was the better option long term. But I couldn't pull the trigger on a $400 saw that I'm unsure how much I'd use. $135 is money I wouldn't miss as much and could be a great intro gas saw (I only have an electric). Of course I'd want a bigger saw eventually but based on what I've read, the 180 wouldn't be useless even when owning multiple saws.

But I don't know much about chainsaws so maybe buying used is a bit over my head, but maybe not. What should I be sure to look for and ask?

The only real useful info the seller wrote is "Always used Sta-bil and Ethanol Shield"

If you are new to chainsaws I'd spend a little more and get a new one from the dealer($249 brand new). If the used saw was really cheap ($50 or less) I'd say give it a shot but its a used homeowner saw and isn't worth $135 (at least to me).

It's a small saw and will be good to learn on. Just don't expect it to cut up any huge logs