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1999 GSX Limited info

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Seadooguy10

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Looking into buying one but need help on stuff to look for on it or questions to ask. The ski is said to have low hours and the guy wants 2500 for it without a trailer. To high? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
 
Low hours mean nothing if it wasnt taken care of or properly maintenanced. If it still has grey fuel lines its an automatic that those need to be replaced, and at the very least the carbs need to be opened up.

More problems such as the fuel gauge not working (total PITA to replace on GSX/GSXLs) and VTS housings are very normal but costly things to fix.

The 951 motor is a very "on the edge" motor that typically cannot deal with abuse as far as water intrusion, etc.

2500 I think is quite high in Florida....prices are much lower there then in my area and $2500 w/o a trailer in my area would be about average. I am expecting 3200 for mine w/o a trailer next spring...but it has a rebuilt motor, and all maintenance has been performed....as well as the body is a 9/10 and shines like new.
 
I was looking for one of these skis as well. like the hull / engine and color combo.

KBB is $1670-2475, so no, i'd offer 2k no trailer assuming everything works.
 
Okay so if everything is good would you say its a good deal? This would be my first ski so I want to pick something that's fast but easy to maintain.

Thanks
 
LOL then you are picking the wrong ski...

The GSXL is prob my least favorite to work on...the motor is shoehorned in and the Fuel pickup is a total PITA.

If I were you I would get yourself a 96 XP, or 97-99 SPX...Fast, light, balanced, easy to work on, tons of parts available, and the 800 motors are a little bit better. If you plan on riding 2 up or need a big gas tank, the 96-97 GSX has an 800 motor...but be aware they have a lot of one off/one model parts.
 
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First Ski? that changes things a bit; are you riding alone, with friends? do you want to tow a skier / tube? Most states require a 3 seater to ski behind, and I do suggest a 3 seater for beginners... they are more stable, and generally comfortable... there size also makes some work easier if you plan to do it yourself.
 
Well I want a two seater that goes atleast 55-60 mph, faster is better, im 16 so if my parents want to have some fun too they can get the 3 seaters haha. I also want a ski that looks fast, I dont really want a really old one but if it has the speed I would probably take it. Also, at first I probably wouldnt do much of the work on the machine because I dont know much about them. Maybe im asking a lot, idk but Hope that helps!

Thanks
 
The 99 to 02 GTX is a carb ski that seats 3, and willl easily run 55-60 all day...

I have owned a 93,97,98,99, and now 02 one.

http://www.sea-doo.net/units/1999/gtx_ltd/specs.asp

http://www.sea-doo.net/units/2000/gtx/specs.asp

etc

the 01 is when they changed the 951 exhaust system. so if you can find a 01 or 02, it's a better setup than the 98/99

but the GTX is no slouch, it's a great ski, and will work well. I'd go with it over the GSX if this is your first.... you can always get a double trailer and a 2nd later on :) these things are more addictive than crack!

Actually my 02 GTX (my wife rides) will hold 65, even with a full tank... my XP will hold 68 all day long :)

My only mod: Solas Concord impeller. that's it. They are even cheaper than the OEM one.
 
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DIs are nightmares when they have issues. Better have a big wallet.

a 96 XP will do close to 60 and in an instant...but riding 2 up is not its strong suit. If you hold it to the bars all the time its got about a 2 hour limit to a tank.

Other than those shortfalls...its the best machine any manufacturer made ever.

the 97-99 SPX was basically the same machine as the 96 XP with minor changes..the 98 had a black bottom white top and is my favorite hull out of all of them.

The other plus is you can find a 96 XP and hold out for one that has all the needed work done, for around $1500 with a trailer...then send your parents out to get themselves a GTX. The SPX's generally get 5-750 more for...even though they are the same machine.
 
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Besides seeing how it looks (kicking the tires), get a compression gauge and take a reading. The compression should be close to the same in both cylinders. Good compression on the 717 engine would be 135 or higher. 150 is ideal. This may be the same for the 800 engine, but I'm not sure. I believe the 951 engine should have compression around 125.

The XP is a two seater, I believe.
 
You are in Jacksonville, right? It would be tough buying something used that far from you. Can't you find anything locally?
 
My bad I should have told you guys, I actually live near philly but im moving to JAX in about a month so im trying to get one up here real quick and take it down with me.
 
the X4 ski (96 and older XP and similar) are VERY tippy. the 97+ is a bit bigger / more stable and holds more fuel, but is still quite tippy... again, I'd have to suggest the GTX for fitting 2 people w/comfort, it's stability, and the ability to legally tow a skier....

But yes, if you want a crazy fun ride the X4 hull is fun, the 97+ is very fun in the turns, but you want a 98+, since that's the 130HP one.
 
Hi,

I don't really want to muddy the waters here but have you looked at a GSX, (not the Limited) I just got one a couple of months ago. There's plenty of room for two people, it's actually a little faster than my 96XP and a lot more stable. The 96XP is still my favorite ski, but the 96GSX comes close.

In my opinion the X4 XP is not a 2 person ski, it will hold 2 people but with 2 is very unstable.

Personally I think towing a skier or a tube is not worth the effort, so a 2 person ski is fine for me.

Lou
 
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Yeah I looked at the 96 gsx too but I really like the price on the 96 xp that i posted above even though it doesn't work. It would give me something to do during the winter and learn about the skis and hopefully not spend a lot of money doing so. By the spring hopefully I would have a running ski and if I want to change skis I could just sell it and get a better one. What do you think?

Thanks

BTW is there a difference between a 96 gs and 96 gsx?
 
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I think the GS started in 97 not 96, and was a GSX w/ a 720, no trim, base model.

The GSX is the greatest happy medium...2 person stable, but not as "boat like" as a GTX. Still slightly tippy, and fun to drive....but its no 96 XP.

The 787 GSX were made in 96-97 only. Great machines, but the MPEMs are one off....as well as goofy trim and hood on the 96, etc. Not a deal breaker, but compared to a XP/SPX where they made them essentially the same from 96-99 and made a ton more than the GSX, parts are a bit harder to find and more expensive.

If you are familiar with forums...dont take any one persons opinion on anything. Take it all in and make a decision on your own. There isnt a machine that is the best at EVERYTHING....theres always trade offs, and people have different needs.
 
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Correct. Have you driven/ridden any of these models yet?

HX - do not buy as first ski, even experienced riders have a hard time getting on, but damn it's a FUN ski!
SPX - similar to XP, but usually had less 'options'
XP - fun as hell... for 1 person
GSX - fun, but more stable than XP, but can't cut the turns like an XP (especially the 98+)
GTX - bigger, 3 seater, you can stand on the side without falling in (180 lbs of me) but will never 0-30 like something that's 100+ lbs lighter.... but seats 2 all day comfortably

the 951 is my personal favorite engine, the biggest/baddest 2 stroke from sea-doo. I personally like the idea of the DIs, but the replacement costs of many of the components means they are much more expensive if/when they break.

one tip; STAY AWAY from coast line skis. If they ran it in the ocean... run like hell. salt-water + jet skis + low / poor maintenance = lots of work / wear / bad parts... seriously, if you can get a freshwater only ski, it's a much better buy... the ocean is lots of fun to ride it, but it ruins these skis...
 
Sabr - Concerning salt water usage. You said stay away from those skis. I'm sure there are lots of owners who take very good card of their skis after riding in salt water...hopefully I'll be one in a year or two after moving.

But anyways, I definitely agree :agree: if the PO didn't flush and rise them off then STAY AWAY.

Besides maybe seeing salt stains, what other tell-tale signs should you look for?

Thanks for all the tips.
 
if you're a new owner, I would try and suggest buying something in running condition...
I was like you, wanting to do the same thing..have a project when i moved down here to the keys...
I am fairly mechanically inclined, can fix cars, dirtbikes, jap bikes, etc, but never owned a jetski..
bought a 2000 yamaha gp760 that didnt run as a project... learned ALOT from it, but got to the point of frustration and sold it and bought a running ski, a little older, but better condition (the one i have now)...my mistake was i heard it "run" on the dock/trailer, but NEVER water tested it...
Let me tell you, it was more than i bargained for...
after getting TONS of help on this forum, and tons of man-hours, i finally have the ski ALMOST to where i want it to be...
so, in my opinion, unless you have spare cash at your disposal, a LOT of patience, and the know how or willingness to learn, i would personally not buy a ski that i could not get on the water and test it for AT LEAST a 20-30 min run, this way, if it has issues that only happen after it warms up, you'll notice, leaks, you'll notice, etc...
just a thought...good luck
but notice how the one ad, the guy was asking $3,500, and now its down to $2,500...just cuz you're young, make sure these sellers dont think you're a sucker...toy with the prices a bit..
 
Yes; I agree, buy something working, your first ski should NOT be a problem/project ski, it will tick you off and you will sell it.

TEST RIDE BEFORE YOU BUY. Are you licensed to drive a ski? in my state (PA) you need a card that says you can drive one.... It's good to have, as PWCs had a lot of 'ass' riders who make us all look bad. Please when you ride respect local laws, wildlife, wake zones, and people...

As for tell-tale signs:

1. fading on seat or handle bar cover. these are the first things to fade if a ski was left outside all the time
2. low hours... if it has an hour meter, try to get one below 100 hours
3. what oil did they run, check the color, when was the oil filter last replaced
4. check the gas filter, is it dirty
5. what gas did they run (higher octane seems to help these 2 strokes, due to the new ethanol crap in them)
6. look for socket marks on the bolts on the top of the engine
7. look for missing bolts anywhere on the engine / exhaust
8. look for scratch marks on the pipe (exhaust). that will tell you if it's been apart
9. check the oil lines if you can see them
10. check the bailers for gunk
11. hull scratches
12. impeller condition
13. wear ring condition
14. throttle cable free play
15. choke work?
16. all gauges work?
17. trim work (hard to fix sometimes)
18. gas gauge work?
19. all OEM parts?
20. OEM tool kit?
21. OEM fire extinguisher
22. floor mats in good condition?
23. bumper peices all on / good shape?
24. check charging system, engine off 11-12v, engine on 13+v on battery posts (DO NOT JUMP START ANY SEA-DOO, EVER)
25. compression check
26. pull RAVE sliders... how dirty? pull plugs... how dirty, using flashlight, how do the pistons look?
27. starter works?
28. is the bilge clean
29. signs of corrosion on parts? green/white rust means salt water... run like hell.
29a, no, not 100% of salt-water skis are a bad deal or buy, but after working on boats in Baltimore, MD vs boats that only live on freshwater... it's just not something I'd personally buy.


I hope that helps. I'm a bit OCD with my skis, everything is 100% OEM but the impeller... and I value reliability over performance. Sure you can do 70... and I'm stuck at 68... but I was on the water 3x a week all summer... and your in the 'shop' again... no thanks.
 
Awesome list...forgot to mention the grey fuel lines, looking for non stainless hardware, and lastly...and most important if they have it...documentation of work performed on the ski.
 
I didn't forget; many skis still have and use these lines just fine, but yes, on my ski I replaced them myself, even though they had caused no issues... :)

Yes, anything rusted is bad. a lot of 'automotive stainless' clamps are not fully stainless and will rust apart
 
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