pricing help

[bigler]

I'm looking into jetboats now and am seeing some 1997 speedsters/challengers going for 2500-5000. I am wondering if they are really worth that much or if they have some hidden problems. what kind of price should i expect to pay for a 96-97 challenger or speedster? what would you consider a good deal to jump on?

 

[cjb]

wait till the off season.

 

[fun4-2]

Just purchased a 97 Challenger

I just purchased a 97 SD Challenger this week. it's in very good condition with a single 110hp which run out well, great interior, bimini top, cover and ton of documentation. Paid $4,000. higher than NADA but i was ok considering the overall condition.

good luck.

 

[cjb]

<--- You see the boat in the picture, I paid 2k for it in October last year. Boat was mechanically sound and all it needed it was reupholster but got lucky and found all the seats in great condition for $400 on ebay. Is all about timing.

 

[Comfortably Numb]

I think timing is an issue; you also need to know what you are looking for. I picked up a 97 speedster (twin 85hp) about three weeks ago for just under $4k. The seats are in good shape with some fading but overall a great running boat. I have burnt probably 8-9 tanks of gas thru it and the only problem was I realized the wear ring was shot. I replace it and boat runs awesome.

Good luck!

 

[timmyboy76]

<--- You see the boat in the picture, I paid 2k for it in October last year. Boat was mechanically sound and all it needed it was reupholster but got lucky and found all the seats in great condition for $400 on ebay. Is all about timing.

See this boat....$1500 buks (everything)....Sppedster..knock on wood (keep'n this one)

Next boat...2200 buks....Challenger (everything)..sold for $6300.00

Yup...timing everything and/or they're hurt'n. Have boat/sold others, made $$$, but , you get picture.

 

[cjb]

They are both nice boats man for low low price. How you got that challenger for so low?

 

[timmyboy76]

800 mile trip to Tucson, AZ...for 1400 buks (100 for gas to/from), another 5 bills in upholstery, then a few little things...filters, remove 3-broken head bolts..etc,

Speedster came from Vegas...4 for upholstery, 800 for boat, and 2-bills for wheels/tires...did my own "rpeair/tune-up"...walah..1500 buks...:hurray:

Craigme...i no ur read'n...take these 2-strokesz anyday over that damn shittycharger, i mean supercharger

 

[cjb]

800 mile trip to Tucson, AZ...for 1400 buks (100 for gas to/from), another 5 bills in upholstery, then a few little things...filters, remove 3-broken head bolts..etc,

Speedster came from Vegas...4 for upholstery, 800 for boat, and 2-bills for wheels/tires...did my own "rpeair/tune-up"...walah..1500 buks...:hurray:

Thats what i am talking about. Nice boat no monthly payment.

 

[Dr Honda]

They all go for way more than NADA says they are worth… so don’t try to use them as a guide for the SD boats. (at least the older ones) I got mine early this spring when it was still cold in PA. I got it for $1500. It was ugly, but had a NEW engine. (not even fired) I put about $800 into it cleaning it up… and a lot of labor. So, now I have a boat that looks great, and I don’t have a payment.

Sure… without saying… there is always that smoking good deal out there… but expect to pay $4000 for a 96 to 97 in good condition. (fresh engines, no gouges in the gell, no rips in the seats) also, for that price, you would expect to get basic boating gear. (life jackets, flag, ropes, anchor, etc.) Also… for that $4k… it won’t matter what model it is. If there are flaws… don’t pay more than $4k because there are lot’s of these boats out there.

Lastly… you are looking for a boat in prime boating season, so don’t expect to find a good deal anywhere… and if you do see a good price… junp on it, because there are a bunch of people like you looking right now.

Good luck with your search. :cheers:

 

[Dr Honda]

Oh… I forgot… there is always that guy who has put an A$$ load of money into one cleaning it up… and will post it up for over $5k. Don’t even bother trying to reason with him because in his mind, that is his price. I just went back and forth with a guy on a 1996 SP. He wanted $2500 for it, when the market was only supporting $1200-$1400 for them. In this case, he had a dealer put a new engine in it, and that cost him $1700, so he didn’t want to loose any money. (new engine, plus what he paid last year for it) Idiot!!:ack:

 

[timmyboy76]

:agree:

Worked on 96 Challenger other day, and dude is fed up, took it to ..... to have carb work done, 650 buks later, still run'n like s***..so rolled me up, and HE told me, not to f-with the carbs, so I said, ok, put new oil in pump, cleaned raves, checked out W.R....etc. not much else I can do.. He then picked it up, just to find out, he lives in Big Bear, 8000ft above sea-level...???

How this came about, ran into them, at lake, and saw this guy "paddling" in this boat, only to say, hey wats up, then find out, that "this" guy, was here to buy it, and I told him, ur -f-in crazy to, if he's paddling it in. What the sucker do,..buy it for 4k, then another 650 buks for carb work, "if that needed to be", then what I did to it, and now, he's fed up, what to dump it for 5k....NO WAY....idiots.

 

[bigler]

yeah good info guys. i put my XP on craigslist for trade for a seadoo boat. got one decent offer. he has a 97 challenger with a new engine but the seats "need attention" he wants to trade for my mint XP and i give him 500$ but i think i can talk him down more. i can sell my xp for 2600 in a heartbeat but a trade would be easier. i really dont want to spend more then 3k on one. minnesota is very seasonal. boating stops arround late september. and starts in late may. when should the best time be you think?

 

[timmyboy76]

out of season, but then again, your ski, will be out of season. Jump all over it, and worry about seats later. You can throw some towels over them, for now.

 

[Dr Honda]

out of season, but then again, your ski, will be out of season. Jump all over it, and worry about seats later. You can throw some towels over them, for now.

:agree:

Yep… I feel the same way. Jump on it if you want a boat. If your XP is worth $2500… his boat is worth $3k. (if it’s in good shape other than the seats) If there is more wrong with it… then an even trade would be in order. You will have all winter to recover the seats.

Now… I watch PWC prices closely… and realistically, with the economy down… your XP is worth closer to $2k. I’ve seen a few recently go for $1500. (with a trailer) In your area, it may be a different story… but sales are down right now. A dealer could get $2600 for that XP right now… but they offer financing.

Lastly… like Timmyboy said… PWC’s are running in the same season as boats… so, unless you want to pay cash for one… there is no reason to wait to do a trade, since both items will go up, and down in price. Also, people wanting to get rid of a boat in the winter will want cash. The best scenario would be to wait, and buy a boat in the off season (while it’s snowing… close to X-mas when people need money) then, sell your XP in the beginning of summer. That way you would buy the boat while it’s cheap… and get prime $$$ for the XP.

If it were me… I would jump on the trade offer… but make sure it’s mechanically sound, and take it out for a water run.
Just my 2 cents… take it for what it’s worth.

 

[bigler]

yeah well i have gotten more people asking me to sell the XP instead of trading it. i could sell it for 2600 in a heartbeat. i told one guy 2600 and he said whats your number ill be at your house with cash tomorow. but i dont want to be without a watercraft for the rest of the summer. these boats look like a ton of fun. i can fish/tube/cruise with friends. stuff that doesnt work so good with my XP. im getting really excited to get a boat. lost of mods i want to do.

 

[Dr Honda]

yeah well i have gotten more people asking me to sell the XP instead of trading it. i could sell it for 2600 in a heartbeat. i told one guy 2600 and he said whats your number ill be at your house with cash tomorow. but i dont want to be without a watercraft for the rest of the summer. these boats look like a ton of fun. i can fish/tube/cruise with friends. stuff that doesnt work so good with my XP. im getting really excited to get a boat. lost of mods i want to do.

Like I said… your area could be different. Also, we are in the prime season right now.

Anyway… I understand about not having something to ride, so if you do the trade… you will have something the same day you get rid of the XP.

Yes… without a doubt, they are a good time. Even my little sportster will put a grin on my face, and anyone else who gets in it. BUT… it’s a different kind of fun. It will spin, jump, and slide like your XP… but it won’t have the same top speed, or will it accelerate as fast. (It’s bigger and heavier) The boat you are looking at has basically the same engine and drive as your XP, but it out weighs it by double. (over 1000 Lbs dry) The reason I changed over to a sport boat was because I have a wife who really doesn’t like the water, and I have a 3 year old. For now… something with seats in the hull is a better option for me. BUT… I kept a Superjet in the garage for when I feel like getting wet.


Oh… BTW... sometimes, these little boats don’t take to mods very well. Since they are heavy… if you up the power… they have a tendency of cavitating badly. But, if you have a good drive shaft seal and wear ring… a skat trak swirl impeller will help get rid of almost all the cavitation. (I use a swirl 16-21 in mine)

:cheers: