• This site contains eBay affiliate links for which Sea-Doo Forum may be compensated.

Sparks on craigslist

collinsone said:
I think some are right...they advertise 4999.99 but when you get the 2 up H.O. ACE w/conv pkg, trailer, tax etc...it ends up over 8k.

I have a 2014 with FIVE HOURS im trying to sell for payoff (7300) and can't get a nibble. This is with the 450.00 graphics kit, bumpers, dock bumpers, hydro mat, hydro turf seat cover, vests, trailer, stickered and tagged thru may 16.

I've paid over a year on it, but I've had guys email me and say "you're trying to rip me off I can get one for 5k" so I gladly tell them to go to the dealer and get the same setup w/trailer and all the extras for 5k. Simply not happeneing.
Click to expand...


While I understand your position... but here's the deal on a used toy....


1) Your mods have to all be deducted from the price. Sure, you paid for the hydro-turf, and stickers... but it may not be the next guy's idea of what looks good. (so pull that $$$ from the price)

2) Things like bumpers, and life-jackets also have to be pulled from the price. Someone like me... I already have water toys, and I have at least 20 lifejackets in the garage.

3) Even if it was only used once... it's still used. And in your case... there is one year of lost warranty. To me... that's a biggy.

4) If you didn't beat up the dealer for a better price when you got it... that's not my fault. So, the used price also has to take into account of what the current discounts may be.

5) The final issue is... your financials. OK, you have been "Paying" on it for a year... but you have also been paying on all the other junk too. (most likely) Did you roll in all the stuff into the loan? If you did... and you didn't get a great rate... then you now have really only paid off the stuff. Not to mention... I'm sure you rolled the tax and registration (both the ski and the trailer) into your loan. Because of that... you are basically asking the new owner to pay your tax and title... when I'm sure he will have to pay his own tax and title when he buys it from you.



Coming from the side of the guys saying "Are you trying to rip off someone"... he has some truth to it. I can get an 2up OH for less than you are asking. (With a full warranty) Oh... and you can't say that "Tagged until 2016" is a bonus. I'm sure the new owner has to put it in his name... and then he will get his own tag.



Anyway... I'm not tying to take a side, and I'm not saying you are wrong in your thinking... but I just wanted to bring some things to light, that I've seen over the years. (Working in the industry) And, your payoff, may just simply be above the market since depreciation is generally faster than the payment in the first 2~3 years.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You are competing against dealers that can offer financing and may or may not throw in extra coverage to boot. It does not make much sense for someone to pay the same or nearly the same price they can get the ski retail and have to deal with a person. Which means they either have the money or must deal with a bank. The dealer makes this part simple,,,,

Best of luck on the sale,,,,


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Coastiejoe said:
You are competing against dealers that can offer financing and may or may not throw in extra coverage to boot. It does not make much sense for someone to pay the same or nearly the same price they can get the ski retail and have to deal with a person. Which means they either have the money or must deal with a bank. The dealer makes this part simple,,,,

Best of luck on the sale,,,,


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Yep... that's another point.

If I'm buying a toy... if I can get a great rate... I'd rather finance, over putting out my own cash. (That generally takes a dealer) And new rates, are always better than a used rate though a bank.
 
To be clear,, I am not bashing on you, just trying to give you a view of what you are up against. Not saying your ski isn't worth every penny, just that the pennies are close enough in value that it is easier to go through a dealer when the values are pretty similar.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Dr Honda said:
Yep... that's another point.

If I'm buying a toy... if I can get a great rate... I'd rather finance, over putting out my own cash. (That generally takes a dealer) And new rates, are always better than a used rate though a bank.
Click to expand...

Dr. Honda tony nice to hear from you! (Sorry not hijacking this thread) :)
 
yeesh.....just for giggles I went to nada guides to see what that spark would be "worth" with trailer and it's $6185. So I guess I could see why people think they're being ripped off. That's including the trailer. They value the trailer at $735. Interesting......

Sucks, but that's gonna be hard to move at $7300. Better off just holding on to it and pay it down some more until you can catch up with depreciation. I ran into a similar issue on a car we bought that we thought we'd own forever. It was a stupid impulse buy so we put nothing down on it and financed it for 98719801290810928312 years. We ended up trading it in not more than 2 years later. Lost $2k outta that mistake. Live and learn.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
suke said:
yeesh.....just for giggles I went to nada guides to see what that spark would be "worth" with trailer and it's $6185. So I guess I could see why people think they're being ripped off. That's including the trailer. They value the trailer at $735. Interesting......

Sucks, but that's gonna be hard to move at $7300. Better off just holding on to it and pay it down some more until you can catch up with depreciation. I ran into a similar issue on a car we bought that we thought we'd own forever. It was a stupid impulse buy so we put nothing down on it and financed it for 98719801290810928312 years. We ended up trading it in not more than 2 years later. Lost $2k outta that mistake. Live and learn.
Click to expand...


Yep... I did the same thing with a Toyota FJ. I bought one when they first came out, and I just wanted it. The thing was... I had 2 other cars, and I would drive my truck daily... so after 2 years, I got tired of looking at it. Fortunate for me, I had it paid off... but I sold it for $10K less than I paid for it. In my book, that's an expensive rental.


So... for the guys who don't want to eat a $1,000... it's not the end of the world, and it's what you have to do when you sell a new toy.


Oh... and I'll tell all of you guys one more thing... if you want a premium price... you better have it paid off !!!! I would NEVER give a privet party cash for a vehicle if they couldn't hand me a title at the same time. IT IS NOT LEGAL TO SELL SOMETHING YOU DO NOT OWN !!!!!!!!!! And, as long as the bank holds the title... YOU do not own it !
 
Dr Honda said:
So... for the guys who don't want to eat a $1,000... it's not the end of the world, and it's what you have to do when you sell a new toy.


Oh... and I'll tell all of you guys one more thing... if you want a premium price... you better have it paid off !!!! I would NEVER give a privet party cash for a vehicle if they couldn't hand me a title at the same time. IT IS NOT LEGAL TO SELL SOMETHING YOU DO NOT OWN !!!!!!!!!! And, as long as the bank holds the title... YOU do not own it !
Click to expand...

It does take a little trust to purchase something without a title in hand. However, I've known plenty of folks who have done it without issue. I've found the scenario that works best is to finance it with a bank and for them to pay off the loan directly with the other bank. That way if something goes sideways the banks fight it out. Instead of you fighting with an individual to get the title once it's paid off, etc.
 
I'm happy to report, I was able to get 7100 for the Ski, and just sent the title to the new owner. He was happy, I'm happy..

Now, anyone wanna buy a hydro turf 2 up seat cover in the package?!?
 
collinsone said:
I'm happy to report, I was able to get 7100 for the Ski, and just sent the title to the new owner. He was happy, I'm happy..

Now, anyone wanna buy a hydro turf 2 up seat cover in the package?!?
Click to expand...


Post it in the for sale section. I'm sure someone will grab it.
 
collinsone said:
I'm happy to report, I was able to get 7100 for the Ski, and just sent the title to the new owner. He was happy, I'm happy..

Now, anyone wanna buy a hydro turf 2 up seat cover in the package?!?
Click to expand...

Wow dude luck went your way good for you... Send me a pm with a picture..
 
I recently saw a spark on craigslist with 4 hours, a lot of accessories and a trailer for $7,500. The ad said he paid $8,500 two weeks earlier as part of a mid life crisis and that he wanted to get rid of it. Two days later the ad was gone, I can't believe someone paid $7,500 (or close to it assuming the guy was accepting offers) for a used one but maybe.....
 
Never seen a delarship flash to electronics to 110hp, I thought that voided the warranty?

If I didn't have one, I'd go see them and see if they will budge on the price. A trailer is one of those things that you can either get really cheap or they cost a fortune, so you may be able to use that to negotiate. I'd tell them that you are really interested (after you look at it and if you are interested), but that you have to go find a trailer to take it home. if you have some CL listings of trailers in your area, I'd print those too, to show the sales rep what their pricing is.

I'd have to say that price of $6k is at the upper range of what I'd pay, for a used Spark though. My niece just bought one (A 2014 demo) for $4k without the flashed upgrade. I think her's is the 60hp model though.
 
I've never been on a spark, but I get the general idea from all the info out there. They are very basic, relatively slow, small, are hard to work on, etc. I guess they serve a purpose to interest people in riding again with a lower price point, but if we are talking about used what would be the reasoning for paying 6k for a used spark when the same cash will buy you something a lot nicer like a 2010 RXP or a 2012 GTX. Is it just the novelty of owning a 2015 something? To me it would be like people wanting a 2015 Ford Fiesta instead of a 2010 mustang GT convertible. Other than the novelty of owning something that is current year or one year old, I can't see any advantage.
 
For some people, like me, I had a smaller car and pulling a Spark at 400 lbs was way easier than lugging around a 850 lb behemoth. My niece just bought one, and she loves it. She is really small and the Spark is a lot easier for her to handle. Plus, it has a warranty, so she is covered for most of her repairs, should anything go wrong. Most new PWCs are financed, and it's a lot harder to get an older Doo financed, than a brand new one.
 
Those are good points, I can see someone wanting a smaller craft for a few reasons. Although at that point I would probably pick up one like your 96 XP for 1/8 of the price of the spark. 90% of the speed, and easy to work on. You could buy 3 or 4 of them for the depreciation alone.
 
90 percent of the speed? A 96XP is WAY faster then a HO Spark and it accelerates faster. To get Spark performance out of a 787 you have to weigh it down with a big GTX hull.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

W
Help needed! First time working on a seadoo.
Replies
5
Views
242
William_j_vega
W
treimche
Oil Tank Repair or Replace?
Replies
12
Views
419
treimche
treimche
A
01 Challenger Twin 717s BLEW AN ENGINE!!!
Replies
1
Views
323
splishy
S
S
hello - looking to buy a 2010 RXT 260is and I have a quick question
Replies
1
Views
173
syncrocrick
S
Carboncow
  • Locked
2021 GTi SE: trying to figure out l-key
Replies
2
Views
694
200mph
2
Back
Top