Buying advice

[Livewire71]

New member here and also new to jet skis. I found two skis for sale on my local FB marketplace with a tandom trailer. Seller didn’t state the year of the skis, but appear to be 2003 or newer. Not sure though. Seller also stated that the motors aren’t locked up. Just won’t fire and one smokes. He said he was hoping to get 1250 for the pair. Well that tells me 1000 shouldn’t be a problem. I plan on looking at them tomorrow afternoon.

I really want to know if two skis and a trailer are worth 1000 dollars not running? Seems to me like a good deal as I’m pretty mechanically inclined.

 

[Matt Braley]

Probably sold already. That Triton aluminum trailer is worth a grand by itself at least.

 

[Bill321]

What he said ^^^

 

[Livewire71]

Thanks for the reply’s. He supposed to let me have first dibs. So sounds like this is a no brainer then.

Any info on the ski’s?

 

[Matt Braley]

Yes buy it. I don't know 4 strokes but I see those sell for 3Kish each when they are running.

 

[Livewire71]

Yes buy it. I don't know 4 strokes but I see those sell for 3Kish each when they are running.

Thanks again for reassuring me. I asked if they were 2 or 4 strokes. I assumed 2 strokes, but seems like you think they might be 4. Even better if so. I went ahead and told him I plan on buying them tomorrow. So maybe no one will try and buy them out from under me now.

 

[Benalexe]

Be careful I think those are DI ski which have a lot of issues

 

[Livewire71]

Be careful I think those are DI ski which have a lot of issues

Well I did buy them. You are correct. They are 2 stroke DI machines. I’ve been reading a lot of info on here and now I’m wondering if I should just flip them. They have been operated in salt water and I’m unsure of how well he flushed them afterwards. Also for some reason both skis have the plug wires unplugged. Not sure why. I also had to pay 1200 for the pair.

Right now I’m in the process of charging batteries and after that I’ll do a compression test.

 

[Livewire71]

Well I have some good news. After screwing the plugs back in I got one of the skis to fire up and run. Actually started pretty effortlessly. The other ski’s fuel pump doesn’t prime. Not sure if it has a blown fuse or bad pump. Anyways just wanted to post an update.

 

[KlingerLakeGuy19]

Jumping in on this thread to ask my own buying question. Would love some advice for a first-time buyer. I've ridden on sea doo jet skis my whole life but have never purchased one for myself. My wife and I want to get one this fall/winter and have narrowed it down to the GTI or GTR models.

GTI SE 130 - We like the price point, but are hesitant that the top end speed and initial burst will be "too boring." We also plan on pulling the kids on tubes/skis. I know the engine is big enough to pull tubers, but do we need something bigger so the engine has less stress? Everything I've read suggests this ski is a great buy but...

GTI SE 155 - For only $600 more it seems like the better option of the two. A slightly higher top end speed and more initial burst sounds like this ski could be perfect for us.

GTR 230 - I grew up riding RXPs so the idea of having a lot more HP and a supercharger brings this ski into consideration. Thoughts on this ski compared to the GTI models? Is it worth the money to upgrade? Fuel consumption and costs a concern? More expensive maintenance, etc?

Thanks for you advice in advance!!

 

[Fishhunter]

Jumping in on this thread to ask my own buying question. Would love some advice for a first-time buyer. I've ridden on sea doo jet skis my whole life but have never purchased one for myself. My wife and I want to get one this fall/winter and have narrowed it down to the GTI or GTR models.

GTI SE 130 - We like the price point, but are hesitant that the top end speed and initial burst will be "too boring." We also plan on pulling the kids on tubes/skis. I know the engine is big enough to pull tubers, but do we need something bigger so the engine has less stress? Everything I've read suggests this ski is a great buy but...

GTI SE 155 - For only $600 more it seems like the better option of the two. A slightly higher top end speed and more initial burst sounds like this ski could be perfect for us.

GTR 230 - I grew up riding RXPs so the idea of having a lot more HP and a supercharger brings this ski into consideration. Thoughts on this ski compared to the GTI models? Is it worth the money to upgrade? Fuel consumption and costs a concern? More expensive maintenance, etc?

Thanks for you advice in advance!!

I purchased a new GTI SE 155 over the winter.
It has been excellent. Top speed is 58 but honestly that is fine.Plenty of grunt in the bottom end. The acceleration in sport mode is great, you go from 0 to 50 in probably 2 to 3 seconds. Fuel consumption is hard when you are on throttle. The fuel economy is much better than a supercharged model
I ride with a freind with a new Kawasaki 310 and we ride same speeds cruise at 40 and rip around 58. I will go through 5 gallons an hour and he will be around 8. Plus atleast in my area most lakes have a 45 speed limit. I am fine with short WOT burst but you might have issues if going 70 and patrol spots you.
Check them out and get what you like. Fall winter can be good time to get a deal.
I paid 9600 for mine in the winter in Massachusetts.

 

[Matt Braley]

Didn't intend to push the OP into DI's. I suggest you sell for a few hundred profit while the season is still on. It will be easy to do especially since you now have a runner.

 

[KlingerLakeGuy19]

I purchased a new GTI SE 155 over the winter.
It has been excellent. Top speed is 58 but honestly that is fine.Plenty of grunt in the bottom end. The acceleration in sport mode is great, you go from 0 to 50 in probably 2 to 3 seconds. Fuel consumption is hard when you are on throttle. The fuel economy is much better than a supercharged model
I ride with a freind with a new Kawasaki 310 and we ride same speeds cruise at 40 and rip around 58. I will go through 5 gallons an hour and he will be around 8. Plus atleast in my area most lakes have a 45 speed limit. I am fine with short WOT burst but you might have issues if going 70 and patrol spots you.
Check them out and get what you like. Fall winter can be good time to get a deal.
I paid 9600 for mine in the winter in Massachusetts.

Thanks for the post, Fishhunter. I really do like the GTI SE 155. It was my first attraction when we started the process of looking. I think we'd be happy with one for sure. It's really hard to pass on the power of the supercharged models once you've experienced them, but it's not like the SE155 is a slug. Thanks again.