Interested in a 1996 Challenger w/defective starter...need advices please.

[gabswiss]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and to boating.
I've been wanting a Seadoo jet boat for a long time now.
There is this guy at my local classifieds who is selling his 1996 Challenger single Rotax 110hp. It look rally clean from the pictures he posted.
However it need a new starter so it's a risky purchase since I won't be able to test it. He is asking $2700 for it and I'm sure I can talk him down to $2500.


What do you guys suggest me to do ?


Update: I talked to him and he said he ordered the starter but don't want/have time to install it (he is moving out of town)


Update 2: Went to see the boat and it is in very good condition (see pic. below). The owner is a young guy from the Navy and he is getting deployed to Hawaii and that's why he is selling the boat. he is going to call me once he gets the starter and we re going to change it,perform the engine tests and go take it for a ride.
Also comes with cover,lots of life jackets,Tube, tons of diff. ropes to pull skiiers, full repair manual....


UPDATE3 I'm now the pround owner of this boat. It's in excellent shape everything works great. Thanks to this forum for all the help ! I was well prepared when going to see it and it paid off.


Also what is the total wight of this boat with trailer ? (couldn't find when I googled it)


Thanks!

 

[timmyboy76]

being a boat, you have the room to install it somewhat quik, so, call his bluff, install it, and do compression test. If all good, then take for water trip before hand'n the cash. If he's hesitant, than somethings' fishy...

 

[gabswiss]

being a boat, you have the room to install it somewhat quik, so, call his bluff, install it, and do compression test. If all good, then take for water trip before hand'n the cash. If he's hesitant, than somethings' fishy...

The thing is, I have no mechanical knowledge whatsoever (well I can change the oil on my motorcycle but that's all :rofl: ).

I can get my father-in-law to hel though.

So if everything works good, is that a good deal ? And if someone can point me to the total weight of the boat i will appreciate! My car can only pull 2000lb.

 

[RobertV]

This is what I found

From the shop manual:
Dry Weight = 1056lbs
Keep in mind that is with no fluids (gas or oil) nor any extra gear.
The gas tank is 27 gals and the oil tank is 2.4 gals - so that can bring the lbs up a bit if both are full. According to the web: one gallon of gas = 5.93 to 6.42 lbs, depending on temperature, type & blend and a gallon of oil is 6 to 8 lbs.
So if it is full of both fluids that would be max 192 lbs more, then add gear, anchor, bumpers, ropes, skis, wakeboard, etc. etc..
The trailer weight depends on what make and type it is.
I would think that the trailer will be about 400lbs - but like I said it might be higher or lower.
So you could be around 1800lbs all in.
What are you going to tow this with?
I would not buy this boat without a compression check and a water test drive.
Price depends on condition, compression # and the test drive.
If you can't test it, I would not buy it since you are not mechanical, you would have to pay someone else to do any work and that will be costly. Just think about this: a new motor will be $845 for just the block and then you have to buy gaskets and the labor to swap it out. Now if there are other issues with the jet pump - the dollars start to climb.
So ask the guy to charge the battery and bring your father in-law to swap out the starter.

 

[gabswiss]

From the shop manual:
Dry Weight = 1056lbs
Keep in mind that is with no fluids (gas or oil) nor any extra gear.
The gas tank is 27 gals and the oil tank is 2.4 gals - so that can bring the lbs up a bit if both are full. According to the web: one gallon of gas = 5.93 to 6.42 lbs, depending on temperature, type & blend and a gallon of oil is 6 to 8 lbs.
So if it is full of both fluids that would be max 192 lbs more, then add gear, anchor, bumpers, ropes, skis, wakeboard, etc. etc..
The trailer weight depends on what make and type it is.
I would think that the trailer will be about 400lbs - but like I said it might be higher or lower.
So you could be around 1800lbs all in.
What are you going to tow this with?
I would not buy this boat without a compression check and a water test drive.
Price depends on condition, compression # and the test drive.
If you can't test it, I would not buy it since you are not mechanical, you would have to pay someone else to do any work and that will be costly. Just think about this: a new motor will be $845 for just the block and then you have to buy gaskets and the labor to swap it out. Now if there are other issues with the jet pump - the dollars start to climb.
So ask the guy to charge the battery and bring your father in-law to swap out the starter.

Thank-you VERY much for your help !
My car (CX-7) is still under warranty and the manual state that mx. pulling weight is 2000lb that's why i don't want to go over the manuf. limit.

 

[Gunsrunner]

:agree:
If you can't test it don't buy it!!!!!
If he does get a starter, make sure it's an OEM one.
I have been through 3 cheap starters of eBay, don't waste your time and effort(or your father in laws).
By the way, i can change one in 20mins now!!!( dont know if thats a good thing but).

 

[gabswiss]

Guy agreed that we replace the starter for him :hurray: then perform the engine tests

 

[timmyboy76]

final say....

Guy agreed that we replace the starter for him :hurray: then perform the engine tests

Guess the wifey, didnt like the financing idea....

 

[gabswiss]

Guess the wifey, didnt like the financing idea....

No......and she is right though

crossing my fingers with this challenger...

 

[timmyboy76]

great starter...

my .02...is that, and no offense to people w/ new ones..but, aint much different in the "boat" itself. Yah, newer ones have the "look" to it, and 4-stroke (if you like those) motors...but, you clean up a mid/late 90's boat, and walah, looks clean, engine is as fast as the others(new ones)...think they're all governed the same, just some get to top speed little quicker, other than that, they still only hold 4-adults......just my opinion

 

[gabswiss]

my .02...is that, and no offense to people w/ new ones..but, aint much different in the "boat" itself. Yah, newer ones have the "look" to it, and 4-stroke (if you like those) motors...but, you clean up a mid/late 90's boat, and walah, looks clean, engine is as fast as the others(new ones)...think they're all governed the same, just some get to top speed little quicker, other than that, they still only hold 4-adults......just my opinion

Agree with you...I like new vehicules just because I know they are going to be perfectlly serviced and maintained by me and comes with warranty (that's why I bought my car and motorcycle brand new). But the downside is they looses their value pretty fast in the 1st couple years.

 

[gabswiss]

Went to see the boat yesterday.
Updated my original post with pictures.
He told me that previous owner did a mod at the exhaust (or whatever it is called..) for better performance (see pic. of the motor I posted) and the boat run a little rich (need to change spark plugs every 8-10hours)
What kind of mod is that ?

 

[scooper77515]

Are you sure that isn't a 97 Challenger? It looks just like mine and Snipes. I have never seen a 96, so maybe there were no changes in the design and looks.

 

[gabswiss]

Are you sure that isn't a 97 Challenger? It looks just like mine and Snipes. I have never seen a 96, so maybe there were no changes in the design and looks.

Noo I'm not sure...that's what the guy wrote on the ad. but I never verified.

 

[scooper77515]

I just posted a pic of my 97. It looks exactly like yours.

There is no reason for why they HAD to change the looks, but usually there is at least different decals from year to year.

So it could be 96...

By the way that is a KICKA$$ Boat if you swap out the impeller with a swirl impeller. It will hop out of the hole as good as any other boat i have ever been in, and better than most, even when overloaded.

Mine even had the worn out "SEADOO" on the seats. I took that off with a rag damp with lacquer thinner and just quickly rubbed it out, then washed with soap and water.

 

[gabswiss]

I just posted a pic of my 97. It looks exactly like yours.

There is no reason for why they HAD to change the looks, but usually there is at least different decals from year to year.

So it could be 96...

By the way that is a KICKA$$ Boat if you swap out the impeller with a swirl impeller. It will hop out of the hole as good as any other boat i have ever been in, and better than most, even when overloaded.

Yours look nice !

I'm really excited about this boat....I try to refrain myself until everything has been checked and tested on the water.

 

[scooper77515]

Good idea. I bought mine, and blew the engine up on it right after I got it. It checked out OK, but just decided to throw a rod one day.

New engine cost me about $800, and I went ahead and swapped the impeller, new starter, did the wear ring. Now I have what seems like a brand new boat.

I paid much more for mine than you are paying for this one, though. So you might have a good deal on your hands.

 

[RobertV]

Yours look nice !

I'm really excited about this boat....I try to refrain myself until everything has been checked and tested on the water.

We all know it is hard to resist a great deal - welcome to seadoo anonymous - my name is Robert - Hello Robert just put the money back in your pocket and walk away :rofl: ONLY if the motor compression and sea trial are bad. If the motor is bad then negotiate down from asking price
Half sounds about right to me - yeah that is the ticket - half the asking price. Since you are not mechanical I would even call the local Seadoo shop and ask them what a new motor would cost you just in case you need to bargain hard with the seller.

 

[scooper77515]

He sounds like he is taking it easy and not jumping into it.:cheers:

 

[gabswiss]

Good idea. I bought mine, and blew the engine up on it right after I got it. It checked out OK, but just decided to throw a rod one day.

New engine cost me about $800, and I went ahead and swapped the impeller, new starter, did the wear ring. Now I have what seems like a brand new boat.

I paid much more for mine than you are paying for this one, though. So you might have a good deal on your hands.

yes...will let you know how it turns out.
he was asking $3500 at first but as the time where he have to leave comes closer he got more "desperate" to sell it I guess. Plus the state of economy doesn't help. It just happened that I was looking for one and have cash in hand.
I hope he was right about only the starter being bad.
He drove it for the last time 2 months ago then winterized it.
Starter wouldn't work after he de winterized it to sell it.

 

[timmyboy76]

relay...

hey stud, possibly, if starter installed and still dont turn, look into electrical box, where the red cables are goin into/exiting...where they connect, thats the relay, jump the post and see if motor turns,if so, its a $40 part...plus you got new starter.

 

[gabswiss]

hey stud, possibly, if starter installed and still dont turn, look into electrical box, where the red cables are goin into/exiting...where they connect, thats the relay, jump the post and see if motor turns,if so, its a $40 part...plus you got new starter.

Ok thanks for mentioning that ! I wrote that down :cheers:

 

[Seadoopilot]

First thing , Thats a BAD place for the toung jack unless you want to hole your boat , Install the starter and compression test for that money , without it running $1500 would be fair , I bought mine for $900 not running . since he is moving you cant come back if it is being held together with chewing gum. if he has a clean title its up to you . I am sceptical when they are saying I have to sell it quick since I am moving. but it can work out to your advantage

 

[gabswiss]

First thing , Thats a BAD place for the toung jack unless you want to hole your boat , Install the starter and compression test for that money , without it running $1500 would be fair , I bought mine for $900 not running . since he is moving you cant come back if it is being held together with chewing gum. if he has a clean title its up to you . I am sceptical when they are saying I have to sell it quick since I am moving. but it can work out to your advantage

The boat is now sitting in my driveway :hurray:
The guy called me yesterday and told me the starter was working again and he went to test it.
Today, I went there with my with father-in-law and we checked everything.
Compression test showed around 140-150 PSI on both cylinders then we went on a test ride and everything sounded fine.
Guy gave me the brand new starter and all kinds of stuffs.

I think I did good for $2700

Going out for a ride Monday since it's going to be warm and sunny :reddevil:

 

[Seadoopilot]

I have a 96
same color