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1998 challenger purchase

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fonthillhdtv

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I drove 2 hrs today to look at a 1998 challenger. The boat was in mint condition with only a small tear in the back cushion. I was unable to go for a test drive as the closest water was 45 min away He started it up with the hose attached and it sounded great and the rpm on each motor settled at 3000rpm at idle. I inspected the jet impellers and on the left side i only saw on small knick but on the right side i could see one of the blades was bent over about a 1/4 inch on the one tip.Will that be a big problem how much to replace the impeller. I made him an offer but insisted it goes to the seadoo dealer of my choice for a inspection and yearly maintence which iwould pay for if the report came back clean . if I decide to walk away we would split the $300 bill. Am I being to cautious. the boat is 10years old .
 
that pump will take about 10 minutes to pull, and if yuo have the impellor removal tool, another 5 minutes to spin the impellor out. Ship the impellor to sbt for refurbishment (25 buks), and meantime, order wear ring, and replace it. Numerous post about, how to replace. Other than that, if price is good, think its a killer boat, from what you mention.
 
How much $ are you talkin bout here..Does he know how many hours are on it..? What do the engines look like..? If engines heads look like the paint is missing around the bolts ask why..Ask him to pull plugs & do a compression test while your there watch the gauge....While he's @ it ask to pull a rave valve (see if they've ever been cleaned) I'd never buy a boat without taking it for a spin 1st...When I bought mine last year I made sure I could take it out & we were out for a good 3 hours..I looked over everything..lol
 
we talking $8000.00 alittle more then what i was going to pay but it already has a seadoo dept finder installed and a fish finder in the boat. he also included water skis, a big 3 person tube and a 2 person tube, all things I was going to add anyway. he has agreed to have it into a skidoo dealer and water test we're haggling over $500
 

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wow $8k is a lot. For that price the boat should be water ready and for what I can read is not. If the impeller is bent then probably the ware ring needs to be replaced to. If you are doing it your self you are looking at around $100 for the job. If you want the dealer to do it then at least $300. Are you sure everything on the boat works. Lights, horn, blower, bilge pump, radio. What else does it comes with other than what you mentioned. When was the last time the carbs were done? When was the last time the rave valves were cleaned? Has the boat been seating or is it used regularly?


One last thing. Check that trailer good. A 10 year old painted trailer is not as durable as a galvanized one.
 
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yes 8k Canadian . The trailer was used very little and stored indoors as the boat was at a cottage stored in a boat house on a lift out of the water . I was hoping to get it for 7000 but as soon as i saw the condition i realized everything else I had gone to look at in that age range was well worn compared to this thing. anything i found that was half way decent is way more money I live in niagara ontario and was even looking at boats in western ny but the dollar has tanked and any savings are gone.I think if the dealer finds anything wrong and it will cost $ to fix I will reflect that in what i will be willing to pay.
 
Thats not a bad price @ all if the impellar is the only thing wrong with it..

Here's pics of mine & I paid more then 8k last year..

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?t=15847

PS ask they guy where he got them side bumpers on the back of the trailer :) The wife needs them she's always got the boat sideways on the trailer..lol
 
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we came to terms today, was able to work out the difference in price with the
what i paid receipt and the registration receipt now it goes into the dealer for inspection and if everything is good i own my first seadoo challenger
 
report back from dealer not good?

well i got the fax today from the owner of what the dealer found on the boat
the bill came to 1500.00 . it included $300.00 for welding the exhaust and the following list of parts.
204-1201-30 shaft protector -14.98
271-0002-90- wear ring -2@64.99-129.88
271-0005-17 ring - 2.99
274-203395 amber mudule - 5.99
278-0015-86 buzzer -assy - 78.99
293-6500-67 clamp - 3.95
420-9315-03 exhaust gasket -14.99
br8es ngk plugs 278-0006-09 - 23.96
204-0726-16 ski- shaft - 99.96
274-0001-69 washer brass - 79.98
I am not sure why the exhaust would need to be welded or what some of these parts are for and if i really need them or if i could replace them myself and get this bill down some. any input would be appreciated as i probably won't get to talk to the dealer till tomorrow sometime and this is going to drive me crazy all night.
 
You can cut out the shaft protector. I dunno if a dealer will, but its not needed. The buzzer you can do yourself for like 10 bucks.
 
foot...dealer "try'n" to take you for a ride. Notice what they mentioned....easy sh**, that probably dont need done. Spark plugs are 2 buks each, then again, dont know price in Canada.

As for weld'n the exhaust, a temporary fix is jb-weld, or find weld shop, get it done for about/at most..50 buks.

.....any dealers on this site......YOU SUK.
 
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