What to look for when buying a XP 951?

[wreckless]

Over the next two days I am going to go look at two different XP 951's. Both look to be clean, but I want the communities input on what to look for when I look at both of these skis and your impressions of what you see in the ad. Both sellers say they are lower hour machines and both run great. Both have the non working gas gauge issue. One is a 1998 and one is a 2000. Let me know your thoughts and what to look for. See listings below. Thanks

The 2000
http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/boa/4555960893.html

The 1998
http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/boa/4546085508.html

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

You want a 99-02. Fuel level gauge is an easy fix.

That "1998" looks a lot like a 97 to me.

Make sure they ran XPS-II oil.

Make sure the trim works.

Umm, check the head for wrench marks.


Umm, at these prices, RIDE before you buy.

 

[Coastiejoe]

I agree,,, 99 up.

 

[Matt Braley]

Yes let the compression test and the water test help make your decision for you. Either one is worth having but yeah, they are asking top dollar there. If you have a GPS then use it, stretch it out and see the 61mph.

 

[AdamXP800]

1998 xp with an 02 front cowling?

 

[wreckless]

Thanks guys, let me know if you have any more suggestions.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

just RIDE IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT.

after you warm it up (NEVER REV A COLD ENGINE)... IN THE WATER... a 951 should see 6800-7k WOT if it's in PERFECT shape. 6500 means some tweaking 6,000 RPM max means most likely something is very, very wrong. 5k means you bought a lemon.

and that's 7K WOT with your ass ON the ski... in the water. not on the trailer.

don't even bother running it on the trailer... tells you it starts... out of water.. that's about it.

don't bother with the speedo. the tach will tell you the health of the engine.

 

[wreckless]

Thanks, I will do that. About the RPM ranges, do they basically tell you how healthy the internals are? So you are saying if wont rev over 6000rpm don't even consider buying it?

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

if you like working on skis, you'd adjust the offer price, if you want a ski ready to run, at 6k, I wouldn't buy it.

 

[wreckless]

I am not afraid to work on them, I just don't want to have to rebuild the motor. I am assuming anything under 6K means the motor could have issues. Thanks

 

[wreckless]

1998 xp with an 02 front cowling?

I just did bunch of research and this is correct. The 97 had a yellow lower hull. The 98 had a black one with a silver cowling. The cowling did not go black into 2002. Good eye.