First off, I'd like to introduce myself since I'm new to posting here. My name's Don, I'm 29, from the Niagara Falls area of New York, and I'm looking to buy my first PWC.
So, I've done a bunch of research and I am REALLY stuck! The current Yamaha promotion of getting either an extra 2 year (making it a 3 year) warranty or choosing $450 in Yamaha accessories ends at my dealership this Saturday at 4pm! So, I have to make a quick decision if I want to take advantage of that promotion.
The contenders...
1st contender... a 2010 Yamaha VX Cruiser.
$8,999 + tax + trailer
I'd take the $450 in free accessories over the extended warranty because I feel if something goes wrong, it'll go wrong within the 1st year of ownership, so I'd get a free cover for it, 2 life jackets, an anchor, tow rope, a retractable paddle, 2 fenders (bouys), and 2 dock lines. Free is good!
It has 15 gallons of cargo space (seems low to me, my buddy has a '03 Sea Doo GTX di with over 52 gallons of space!)
It's only 110hp, so the fuel economy is good = cheaper trips out!
2nd contender... a 2009 leftover Sea Doo GTX 155
$9,499 + tax + trailer (dealer claimed it was a $1,200 savings)
I believe it came with an extended 4 year warranty? 1 free basic life jacket.
It has 34 gallons of storage (19 gallons more than the VX, which is more than double the storage space, but still has way less than my buddy's '03 GTX, and I find this odd! Must be because of the size of the new engines?)
It's 155hp, so peppier/sportier, but not as good on fuel economy. Probably not a huge difference though?
Both sported comfortable seating!
Yamaha seems to be the best with reliability, but Sea Doo also seems to be a trusted brand name, however I hear it's named bashed more than Yamaha, actually I've never heard anyone bad mouth Yamaha.
I know the Sea Doo has a closed loop vs Yamaha's open loop cooling system, but I will be on fresh water, not salt, so I don't think it'll matter much.
I do like how the Sea Doo's reverse level is on the left.
Wish I had money for a '10 model of the GTX because the new brake lever is pretty neat and I think it even comes with a cruise control now.
I also really dig the FX HO (the non-supercharged one) in the Yamaha lineup, but where I'm at right now, $-wise, is as far as my budget will allow. If I could spring the extra money, I'd lean towards a newer Sea Doo, probably the new GTX, because of the features it has and it would also be the cheaper choice.
If I go for the Yamaha, I'd have to jump on it quickly to get the current promotion, which seems good, but I don't know if I would "out grow" the VX model quickly or not. I'm 29, buying my first pwc, and I've only ever ridden my buddy's '03 Sea Doo GTX, which I enjoyed a lot. I believe his is 130hp and a 2-stroke, so it was peppy - to me anyways.
I'd prefer to buy new since the used selection in my area only consists of REALLY (10+ year) old skis. I've been watching Craigslist and other sites for about a month with nothing eye catching has popped up, so new it will be, but which one... PLEASE help me decide!
So, I've done a bunch of research and I am REALLY stuck! The current Yamaha promotion of getting either an extra 2 year (making it a 3 year) warranty or choosing $450 in Yamaha accessories ends at my dealership this Saturday at 4pm! So, I have to make a quick decision if I want to take advantage of that promotion.
The contenders...
1st contender... a 2010 Yamaha VX Cruiser.
$8,999 + tax + trailer
I'd take the $450 in free accessories over the extended warranty because I feel if something goes wrong, it'll go wrong within the 1st year of ownership, so I'd get a free cover for it, 2 life jackets, an anchor, tow rope, a retractable paddle, 2 fenders (bouys), and 2 dock lines. Free is good!
It has 15 gallons of cargo space (seems low to me, my buddy has a '03 Sea Doo GTX di with over 52 gallons of space!)
It's only 110hp, so the fuel economy is good = cheaper trips out!
2nd contender... a 2009 leftover Sea Doo GTX 155
$9,499 + tax + trailer (dealer claimed it was a $1,200 savings)
I believe it came with an extended 4 year warranty? 1 free basic life jacket.
It has 34 gallons of storage (19 gallons more than the VX, which is more than double the storage space, but still has way less than my buddy's '03 GTX, and I find this odd! Must be because of the size of the new engines?)
It's 155hp, so peppier/sportier, but not as good on fuel economy. Probably not a huge difference though?
Both sported comfortable seating!
Yamaha seems to be the best with reliability, but Sea Doo also seems to be a trusted brand name, however I hear it's named bashed more than Yamaha, actually I've never heard anyone bad mouth Yamaha.
I know the Sea Doo has a closed loop vs Yamaha's open loop cooling system, but I will be on fresh water, not salt, so I don't think it'll matter much.
I do like how the Sea Doo's reverse level is on the left.
Wish I had money for a '10 model of the GTX because the new brake lever is pretty neat and I think it even comes with a cruise control now.
I also really dig the FX HO (the non-supercharged one) in the Yamaha lineup, but where I'm at right now, $-wise, is as far as my budget will allow. If I could spring the extra money, I'd lean towards a newer Sea Doo, probably the new GTX, because of the features it has and it would also be the cheaper choice.
If I go for the Yamaha, I'd have to jump on it quickly to get the current promotion, which seems good, but I don't know if I would "out grow" the VX model quickly or not. I'm 29, buying my first pwc, and I've only ever ridden my buddy's '03 Sea Doo GTX, which I enjoyed a lot. I believe his is 130hp and a 2-stroke, so it was peppy - to me anyways.
I'd prefer to buy new since the used selection in my area only consists of REALLY (10+ year) old skis. I've been watching Craigslist and other sites for about a month with nothing eye catching has popped up, so new it will be, but which one... PLEASE help me decide!