2004 GTI 3 Seater - Questions - To buy or not to buy

[YoColifSavr]

2004 GTI 3 Seater - Just Bought

I am looking to buy this ski for the wife. My wife is rather small so I dont need anything to big. I found a pretty good deal here locally for a 2004 GTI for $2000. It comes with a trailer and titles for both. Im going to look at it and probably buy it in about 2 hours. Anything you recommend about this ski? I dont think it has an hour meter. Does it just have a fuel gauge or does it have a speedo too? You think $2000 is a good deal for it? The only issue it has is a rip in the seat. Thanks all

 

[Dr Honda]

Sound like a great deal, if nothing is mechanically wrong with it. Yes there is an hour meter, but the dealer has to read it out.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[YoColifSavr]

Ok I went and got it, however there were a few issues. Here they are:
Seadoo turf mat was missing off the back, however he still had it and it is in good shape. Just need to rivet it back in
Seat was torn pretty good, the rear seat is in excellent shape
The steering was a little stiff, as if it needed to be lubed up
Broken light on the trailer however the other light worked.
It was dirty but no biggie I will have her as good as new.
Butt ugly boat numbers, yuck

So I got the ski for $1800 which isnt bad I guess. Here is a pic of it for you all to see...

 

[YoColifSavr]

Any advice on how to recover the seat? It doesnt seem very easy to take the old cover off. Any suggestions?

 

[XPSLED97]

Go to the thread in the Section marked "HOW TO TECH ARTICLES". If you take your time and have the right tools and air temperature it wont be real bad. Its not a hurry up and get it done thing.

 

[Dr Honda]

Ugly is easy to fix.

The seat just takes time. Remove all the old staples... stretch the new vinyl over the foam... staple the new cover down. (use stainless staples so they don't rust)

 

[YoColifSavr]

Ugly is easy to fix.

The seat just takes time. Remove all the old staples... stretch the new vinyl over the foam... staple the new cover down. (use stainless staples so they don't rust)

Yup just read the how to article here and a few online which all stated keep the factory seat cover on and just remove the staples. What should I do about the steering to make it more smooth? Do I need to remove the whole steering assembly? It isnt too too stiff but could use a little work. The foot mat for the rear of the ski needs to be put back on. Do you all suggest regular rivets from the local hardware store? I have some silver rivets but would prefer black. I know they make caps to go inside the rivets to hide them. Just wondering if this is a local hardware store fix or have to go on ebay or internet store. One other question, there is a place for a 2nd gauge but has a cover on it. What gauge should be there? It has a fuel gauge. Does the GTI-LE have the additional gauge? Can the missing gauge be added or are there no connections for it. Just curious.