Thinking of purchasing 97 GTI an GTX PWC's

[JJLee138]

Hi there, I've been thinking of purchasing a pair of PWC's for a while so I started lurking around a couple watercraft forums. I've read posts such as this one ( http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?t=134 ) on buying used PWC's etc.

Well on the way home from my vacation last week my girlfriend and I stopped at her uncles house and he saw me surfing Craig's List for PWC's from my cellphone. He mentioned that he just so happened to be selling a 97 GTX and 97 GTI with a double trailer. He then told me to think about it and make him an offer.

The only info I have to go on atm is that he said they have been winterized every year and stored up until this last winter when they were just winterized, covered, and then left outside on the trailer. The current batteries are also dead. He said that they both worked perfectly last time the skis were taken out (Which was over a year ago). I just got a brief look at them by peering under one of the covers. There was a hornets nest up there, so I didn't get to see much. As far as I know the engines have never had a rebuild.

I have looked up both skis and know the bluebook value on them. My question is what would you offer? Personally I'm not inclined to go over $4000 max since I don't know what all could have happened while they endured a Chicago winter outside, and most likely need a engine rebuild... It's a 6 hour round trip for me to even go back to look at these things, so I can't just run up there and report back with more info unfortunately. I've never owned a PWC/Boat etc in my life, so feel free to give me any and all advice that you feel could help me out. Thanks for your time!

*Edit*
Oh, as a side question, are there any major differences between the GTX and the GTI? From looking them up it appears that the GTX may have a little more HP, but is that about it?

 

[1648aws]

I have two 97 GTX's. We have had a lot of fun with them.

Things to consider:
Toys cost money to buy, operate, winterize, maintain and store.
I paid $9,000.00 Cdn 4 years ago for two machines and a double EZ loader trailer. One seadoo cover came with it and I purchased another (used) for $200.00 The machines had 135 and 155 hours on them.

Hope this helps.

Keith

 

[JJLee138]

I have two 97 GTX's. We have had a lot of fun with them.

Things to consider:
Toys cost money to buy, operate, winterize, maintain and store.
I paid $9,000.00 Cdn 4 years ago for two machines and a double EZ loader trailer. One seadoo cover came with it and I purchased another (used) for $200.00 The machines had 135 and 155 hours on them.

Hope this helps.

Keith

Understood, but even the blue book on them is $2000 for the GTI and $2500 for the GTX. Now considering that they have been left out in the Chicago Elements for a year and have never had a rebuild etc. I was wondering if $4000 would be a fair offer.

 

[JPX]

$4000 for a pair of GT class boats of that year on a double trailer is pretty fair.

But you need to know that there is still money to dump into the boats that cannot necessarily be factored into the sale price. For example, it is fair to sell the boats like this at book value WITHOUT a carb rebuild AND dead batteries.....because that is the BOOK value. It'd be nice if this wasn't a factor, but it simply is.

Where you take off from the price is when there is damage or missing hardware.

But think about it $4000 for 2 boats and a trailer + $250 (both boats DIY) for carb rebuilds + $100 for batteries. You still aren't doing so bad as long as the engines turn freely and isn't seized.

 

[JJLee138]

I appreciate the replies. I'll have to look into a small loan and then see what he says. As far as the other question, is there any major differences between the two PWS's other than the engine size?

 

[JPX]

Here is a useful model reference link
http://seadoosource.com/seadoomodelreference.html

For 1997, the GTX and the GTI shared the same hull. GTX is known for being the top of the line model, pimped out gauges modern dark green color, and the big 787cc motor. It is indeed fast and powerful.:boxing_smiley:

GTI has the standard 717cc motor. So less power, but still a great boat. A fewer gadgets than the GTX, but storage, manuverability are the same.

I suppose as a tinkerer, my only qualm about having similar-but-different boats is that if I need engine parts for one, I can't cannibalize the other. Carbs are the only interchangable engine part I can think of between a 717 and a 787.:ack: