Thinking about buying a Challanger 180se very soon, cpl questions

[Freddie1275]

Hi all i just found this site and have read the about 5 pages so far and have found alot of helpful things on here. I do though have a few more questions as i plan on going to look at the sea doo shop tomorrow.

I have been leaning towards buying a new 08 seadoo challanger rather than buying one used as it seems most used boats have some problems with them, is this usually true?

The reason im attracted to the challanger is because it will fit into my garage and none of the other ones will, but will i still be able to do tubing and possibly sking, this boat is listed as recreation so will it have any problems pulling and what not? This boat has only 1 jet most all the others have two. How does that effect you? and also i read somewhere that the tow rod bends easily on the challanger is this true for the08 models as well?

Im also very very mechanically challanged, i dont know how to change the oil in my car or anything like that but would like to learn how to do all this on my boat as i want to keep it in tip top shape, when i take it to the dealer for the first time if i asked for them to show me what there doing would they, or is it something you learn on your own?

I live in S.E. Michigan and would be using this boat alot on lake erie alot, is this boat big enough for the waves ? If im out goofin off and tryin to get wet thats one thing but would hate to always get smashed by the waves.
Also i have read some things about how seaweed,lil pads and other debris not far from the surface of the water can get stuck and or go through and damage the jets, can this happen easily and does it happen often in areas there are debris? If something gets sucked up in there is there an a way i can get it out from inside the boat or do i have to have it on my trailer, swim under neath it too or what? as i mentioned before im not fimiliar at all with boats as this would be my first one and would not have the slightest clue on how to fix something like that should it occur and dont have alot of money to pay some one to fix.

As i mentioned above ive never had any experiences with boating so this is all new to me, and tips you could give me about this boat would be great, and things for me to ask the dealer before i make my mind on weather to buy or not would be nice.

The msrp is 24500 how much should i offer him, i mean is it like a car and they will go down or how does that work? And and all information is greatly appreciated.

again thanks, Freddie

 

[robertm]

I just bought an 08 challenger SE about two weeks ago. I haven't pulled anybody behind it yet but I can tell you this thing is very powerful. I had it up to 49mph (indicated) before I backed out. Its really fast. I have read lots of posts from people using to pull tubes/ski/wakeboard so I wouldn't worry about that.

There is no ski pole on this model. It has the traditional eyelet in the back so no need to worry about bending the pole.

As far as changing the oil goes, just ask the dealer if you can watch. He might or might not let ya. There are a bunch of resources on this site if you become a premium member. You can get various shop manuals etc. I am mechanically inclined but will still take it to the dealer once a year to change the oil and spark. It seems like good ins. to pay them to have a good look over the engine. This is assuming they are competent of course.


As far as debri, just be careful. What I have read if you suck up the occasional lily pad or vegetation its almost certainly not going to damage anything. Anything larger and harder should be stopped by the grates over the intake. If you do get something lodged in there you will most likely want to get it on the trailer to remove. Think of it this way, if you hit something hard or get tangled in rope with a prop engine you would be in the same situation. At least with the jet you will not be able to suck up large hard objects because of the intake guards. Check out what I'm talking about when you go to the dealer.

As for price, yes DEFINITELY haggle on price. I got mine for over 7k off list including destination charges. There are great deals out there right now. You just have to look for them and be willing to travel. Note my deal included the 2k off incentive they had last month. Now they are offering the 2k gas card.

As far as buying new or used, I couldn't find a better deal on a 2-3 year old challenger as I paid new. When you buy new you get the 1 yr warranty, 6.5% financing (that's really good for a boat) and the confidence of knowing exactly what has/hasn’t happened to your boat.

As I said above, I’ve only been a boat owner for 2 weeks now. If anything I said above isn’t accurate I’m sure one of the more seasoned boaters will chime in.

Good luck and you won’t be disappointed. This boat is Fricken awesome!!

 

[Freddie1275]

Ok so i just got done signing the papers and all that for the boat, i will be picking it up 2morrow. Can someone make me a check list of things to ask the guy to show me what to do/maintain the boat. Thanks a bunch

 

[rexsteiner]

have them show you how to install the coushion across the front seats. and how to use the ICS system.

what dealer are you buying this from? just wondering for my own reference.

you will love that boat!:cheers:

 

[clint]

I was at a dealership in SC last weekend and they quoted me 21500 OTD for a 180 SE. Also, if you buy it tomorrow you would still get the $2000 gas card which is basically a visa debit card.

 

[Freddie1275]

i bought it from k & W Cycle in utica. i got it for 22,000 out the door(taxes,plate,delivery) and the 5 year extended warranty. I called a ton of places thats the cheapest i found it with the extended warranty. I just hope there good at show u everything you gotta learn hehe. Also i was wondering how loud is the horn on this craft? and hows the radio system sound? thanks


ps whats ics system?

 

[xrider]

they stoped putting ICS after 2006 I think so we dont have it. I paid 21700 OTD on my regular challanger with extended warranty. sales guy told me he will give me extra key and cover when he comes back from vacation. they also need to fix one chip on back anyway. its a fun boat, too bad it rained out today.

 

[xrider]

horn is loud enough, sounds system is ok, you might need to turn it up when driving. make sure youy got all the extra equipment to go inside, fire ext. jackets, and such. check local laws about it.

 

[Mueller]

New Challenger Owner

I had some of the same questions and bought my SeaDoo in Woodbridge three weeks ago. My Challenger 180 SE was 19200, and I just got my Visa debit card which you can pretty much use for anything. This was a great deal, but my boat is now having a problem starting and I have to haul it to the dealer tomorrow to have them look at it. It won't start and gives me four beeps which I think is the message that it is not in neutral... but it is. Very weird.

It is a little rough riding on the Potomac River when there are waves over 1 foot, and it can definatley jump wakes, mine have been mostly by accident, hard to see in the river. I am breaking mine in so I haven't had mine past 40 yet, only a few hours left till it hits the first ten. It is a little rough riding except early in the morning when the water is like glass, my favorite time to get out. Personally I wouldn't want to get caught out in 3 feet chop in this boat.

 

[texasmojo]

Yeah it gets kind of rough in choppy waters.

 

[xrider]

Mueller, Im in woodbridge but my boat is in alexandria! maybe we can meet up sometime. I knew we should have bought the SE, the tower is gonna cost me too much to add and its not as good as OEM!

 

[adambomb]

As far as wakeboarding goes, i just bought a challenger 180 and it is great. I was very surprised because my challenger 2000 was not good for skiing/wakeboarding, it had problems with jet spray, speed variation, and the boat pulling from side to side when i cut outside the wake.

I felt like I was being pulled by a $40k tow boat by the challenger 180!

:cheers:

 

[Dae180se]

Hi all i just found this site and have read the about 5 pages so far and have found alot of helpful things on here. I do though have a few more questions as i plan on going to look at the sea doo shop tomorrow.

I have been leaning towards buying a new 08 seadoo challanger rather than buying one used as it seems most used boats have some problems with them, is this usually true?

The reason im attracted to the challanger is because it will fit into my garage and none of the other ones will, but will i still be able to do tubing and possibly sking, this boat is listed as recreation so will it have any problems pulling and what not? This boat has only 1 jet most all the others have two. How does that effect you? and also i read somewhere that the tow rod bends easily on the challanger is this true for the08 models as well?

Im also very very mechanically challanged, i dont know how to change the oil in my car or anything like that but would like to learn how to do all this on my boat as i want to keep it in tip top shape, when i take it to the dealer for the first time if i asked for them to show me what there doing would they, or is it something you learn on your own?

I live in S.E. Michigan and would be using this boat alot on lake erie alot, is this boat big enough for the waves ? If im out goofin off and tryin to get wet thats one thing but would hate to always get smashed by the waves.
Also i have read some things about how seaweed,lil pads and other debris not far from the surface of the water can get stuck and or go through and damage the jets, can this happen easily and does it happen often in areas there are debris? If something gets sucked up in there is there an a way i can get it out from inside the boat or do i have to have it on my trailer, swim under neath it too or what? as i mentioned before im not fimiliar at all with boats as this would be my first one and would not have the slightest clue on how to fix something like that should it occur and dont have alot of money to pay some one to fix.

As i mentioned above ive never had any experiences with boating so this is all new to me, and tips you could give me about this boat would be great, and things for me to ask the dealer before i make my mind on weather to buy or not would be nice.

The msrp is 24500 how much should i offer him, i mean is it like a car and they will go down or how does that work? And and all information is greatly appreciated.

again thanks, Freddie

Hi everyone! I too purchased a used 07 215hp Challenger and just love the boat. Performs great! Very happy with purchase.

 

[Jeffy]

I'm glad to hear all the positive reviews. I have been mulling over either the 08 150 Speedster SCIC or the 08 180 Challenger.
I have decided the Challenger is a better boat to suit my lifestyle but was concerned about the power. I have been doing some price shopping and will be going out again tomorrow.

The last price I found was $25610CDN for the boat, PDI, taxes, license all in. I am going to keep shopping around for the best price and possibly wait for the boat show in January. I may either by an 08 non current model if no changes to 09 happen, but am concerned that they may put the 255HP Rotax into it and want that.

Jeff

 

[xrider]

if I was to do it again I would try to get a year or two old boat. get it almost new and usually just take over the payments. I will be moving up to something bigger in couple years, 18 foot is not big enough for me but it will help me gain exp. in boating. Im good at jet ski but boat is something new to me.

 

[robertm]

Jeff,

I started out thinking I wanted the speedster 150 too. In the end I realized the Challenger was the better boat for us. Reason being the 150 can only hold 4 people. The challenger very comfortably holds 6 and can fit up to 8. Plus there is tons of storage space for coolers, life vests, big tube, all the gals crap etc.

We have had no issues with the power. With 3 people on board and 3 people on a 72" tube the boat launches out of the water and pulls them as fast as they want to go. With 6 in the boat it will still go faster than I'm comfortable going with so many people aboard. With only 2 people it is fast enough to make me think what in the hell am I doing?

I hear ya about the 255hp motor that you know is going to be coming. Look at it this way though. You can buy the boat now and get several months enjoyment out of it this season. Or you can wait 6-8 more months for the new season to get the boat with the bigger motor. You will have more power but really the 215 hp engine is just fine.

Inevitably, the 2010 boat will have something the '09 doesnt' have. Same with the '11. Point is the 215hp boat is awesome and really needs for nothing (in my opinion). You can get it now and enjoy life this weekend instead of cont. to wait for the newer/better/etc thing sometime in the future.

I was going to try to wait until the off season to get a deal on a boat. I am SO glad we got it this summer though as it has already paid huge dividend in our happiness. Good luck to ya!

 

[Jeffy]

Thanks for the info Robertm

I was at the dealer today and have decided I will get the 180 Challenger. I asked about the 09 model and the salesman told me that BRP hasn't told them any details yet. He did however say that the going thought with dealers is that the boat may come in an available 155HP X2 option for next year but has no confirmation on that. While he has had no complaints about the power, some have thought a bigger HP option should have been available.

Right now he still has 4 standard and 4 SE models available. I will be waiting for the Toronto Boat Show in January and will decide between the 08 or 09 models and wait to see what the incentives offered by BRP are. Usually that is one of the best times to buy a boat since all the dealers are together in one place.

Any thoughts?

Jeff