CONFUSED

[steverogers50]

I am looking at purchasing a 2012 SEADOO GTX LIMITED IS 260 with 140 hours on it. The supercharger has just been rebuilt and has 2 hours on it.
I am also looking at purchasing a 2013 RXPX 260 instead which has only 14 hours on it. (No supercharger rebuild yet) Also, both units have been taken care of and serviced.
What would be the better machine to purchase for riding and possible resale in the next few years if I choose to do that.
I am concerned that I will purchase a Seadoo and become tired of it and then lose to much money on re-sale?
I am 61 years old.
Your thoughts!

 

[gb387]

Well they are two different machines. the RXPX is a 2 seater super fast an maneuverable fun to drive but owning one the hull is a bit different and its design to be a race ski its going to 'walk' around a bit at lower speeds. Your GTX is going to be a 3 seater with a better smoother riding hull very stable and still fun. Having owned both a RXTX (same hull as GTX) and RXPX the GTX will definitely give you a better ride but may not be quite as fun. I like low hour PWCs so the low hours would appeal to me but its your decision.

 

[steverogers50]

Thanks I truly appreciate your reply! I think the low hours appeals to me most because I might purchase it and want sell it a couple years down the road and by then the low hours machine might have 50 hours and the GTX already has 140 hours and in a couple years it could have close to 200 hours. I would think it would be quite difficult to sell a machine with that many hours and I would probably lose a larger chunk of money as well. Both machine cost the same to purchase.

 

[steverogers50]

Has anyone had any experiences with the 2013 Sea-Doo RXP™ X 260?
I am about to purchase one with 12 hours on it for 9k and wanted any opinions I can get!
My wife and I plan to use it for basic fun and a little cruising, I am 61 years old. I am hoping that this unit doesn't have to many limitations. I am a little concerned that it is more of a racing machine.

 

[mikidymac]

You are correct as it is considered a Muscle craft which is a big engine in a smaller 2 seater. I would not say it is for cruising around the bay although it can.

For cruising with the wife I would go with a 3 seater. You both will be much happier.

 

[gb387]

I have a 2012 it's very fun, but like I mentioned it's wants to walk side to side a little but it's easily gotten used to just know it might feel a little weird at first. Sport mode is insanely fast don't trust your friends with it! Very reliable machines in my experience. If it doesn't have a boarding step, get one it makes life soooo much easier! Lots of adjustments can be made on the handle bars for comfort and the rear 'sponsons'. If it has a depth finder that's a great option to have, the ski module isn't necessary as most states don't allow you to pull anyone on a two seater. Again keep in mind this is a two seater not a three....

I don't think 9k is far out of line but some one else may chime in on that I'm not in the market to sell or buy another so I haven't looked at prices. New your close to 15k! Does it have a cover, they are expensive. Nice trailer or inexpensive one?

 

[steverogers50]

You are correct as it is considered a Muscle craft which is a big engine in a smaller 2 seater. I would not say it is for cruising around the bay although it can.

For cruising with the wife I would go with a 3 seater. You both will be much happier.

 

[steverogers50]

Yes, but this has such low miles for the money that it is hard to say no. 11 hrs
I was hoping that a 2 seater wouldn't be much worse than a 3 seater.
I am hoping it is not like the units 20 years ago that when driving a 2 seater back then it would rise way up in the front end and was quite tipsy!

 

[greenhornet2]

I believe the guys here are recommending supercharger rebuild within 5 years regardless of hours. So even the low hour ones would need a rebuild with the years you are looking at if they haven't been done before. Just keep that in mind. I would wait for a 3 seater myself if you are going to ride 2up a lot. I think the purpose of the 2 seater will not fit what you want and is probably overkill for power.

 

[steverogers50]

I believe the guys here are recommending supercharger rebuild within 5 years regardless of hours. So even the low hour ones would need a rebuild with the years you are looking at if they haven't been done before. Just keep that in mind. I would wait for a 3 seater myself if you are going to ride 2up a lot. I think the purpose of the 2 seater will not fit what you want and is probably overkill for power.

If I don't do more than 10 hours a year I would be surprised however, I am still concerned about the 2-3 seat issue. I just thought that these days the PWC are so large that a 2 seater would ride and balance with 2 riders but, don't know that for certain.

 

[greenhornet2]

yes it will be better than a 2 seater from 20 years ago I am sure. I own a 2 seater and 3 seater spark neither is super stable but both are more stable than a friends waveblaster II from 96. the full size 2 seater will be more stable than my sparks as well.

 

[gb387]

Having also owned a 1994 and 1995 Sea Doo SPX back in the day.... The new full size pwcs built today are considerably more stable even with two people... I do not have an issue with two on my RXPX when it comes to stability. When you move down to a Sea Doo Spark your going to loose that stability and it will be similar to those built in the 90s.

 

[beergut]

I'll spare you my opinion on supercharged sea-doo's and what I went through on my last 3... but I will say this, you won't get bored on them- my 2011 RXT 260 iS was super stable and smooth on the choppiest water. extremely comfortable and plush. I'd ride 2 & 3 up without any stability issues, it would pull both my kids in the 3 seater tube effortlessly. the touring mode was fantastic for towing- and sport mode was amazing as well for wake jumping, 360's and sliding across the water with stunning acceleration. resale on either depends on the person buying it. some want a s/c ski and some don't. The GTX limited would be a smoother, more plush "long-distance" rider whereas the RXPX would be more sporty in nature and a bit easier to whip around. That being said, hmmmm, how can I say this without sounding bitter..... okay, I got it... two options here; either get an insurance policy through progressive OR go open a new rewards travel credit card and set it aside for sea-doo repairs. you'll have two first class domestic round-trip airline tickets in no time! lol!

 

[steverogers50]

I thought that might be an issue with the 300's so I was hoping to do a GTR 230 instead.
2017 new. Your thoughts sir!

 

[greenhornet2]

anything supercharged is a problem in my opinion

 

[steverogers50]

Is that across the board with Kawasaki and Yamaha as well? however, they have such a small market share it there would probably not be much press about it. I believe it is better to be over-powered rather than under-powered but I am not going to take a bath if or when I tried to sell it because of awful Seadoo PR. I wouldn't be able to give the machine away.

 

[beergut]

I agree with greenhornet.
I can't say they are all bad apples, I'm sure there are many owner's of s/c sea-doo's who don't have any issues to report (yet) but my last 3 supercharged sea-doo's were all dealer maintained on a regular basis. all 3 had supercharger failures and 2 had blown engines. my last one, 2011 rxt 260 iS with only 90 hours on it- tons of sensor issues at first. map pressure sensor code- but ski ran fine. took it to the dealer and replaced map sensor / temp sensor & plugs- $700. got ski back in the water, ran fine for 20 minutes then the map sensor code came back on ONLY when idling. If I gave it gas the code would disappear. before I could bring it back to the dealer, the timing chain broke and blew the engine- a $4000+ repair. this was all after $1200 on the supercharger rebuild and another $1500 on misc sensor diag & repair, and iBR repair AND suspension sensor repairs- we're talking about close to $8000 worth of repairs on a dealer maintained machine with only 90 hours on it. would I buy another one? sure, but not without a dealer warranty of supplemental insurance policy. no idea if other manufacturer have similar issues. While shopping around for my rxt 260, I found many private sellers would tell you they rebuilt the s/c but couldn't provide and documentation to back up the rebuild- I'd just walk away. btw- I bought my 2011 rxt 260 for about $9k, put $3k+ into parts & repairs, and just sold it for $3k with a blown engine.

 

[steverogers50]

Understood, I am sorry about the loss..... Point taken!

 

[beergut]

Understood, I am sorry about the loss..... Point taken!

ehhh- it's a boat. nature of the beast!
honestly- don't let my bad experience deter you, like I said, there's many out there with no issues... just not in rindge, nh!

 

[greenhornet2]

Beergut you are not alone, I often would see a guy at my local lake. he has 2 RXT300's each one has blown a motor he had to have 2 since one was always in for repairs lol, haven't seen him yet this year, I assume he either broke them or sold them.
any small boosted engine is a ticking time bomb if you ask me they push these things to the brink to compete with the other manufacturers and it just makes them unreliable, plus all the sensors and computer controls in a boat.. that gets wet on a regular basis.. it's just not good, keep them as simple as possible and you will get the most time and least headache out of them. My buddy has a 96 waveblaster 2 that sat for years before someone gave it to him... changed the fuel lines and filter and she fired right up runs great going on season 2. I personally don't want a 2 stroke, but you get what I'm saying.

 

[beergut]

Absolutely get it! Just wish the lesson didnt cost me nearly $18k! Lol!
I'm kind of surprised seadoo even used a timing chain in these engines- the high hp and constant throttling spells doom for a valve chain system. A geared valve timing system would've been far more stable and robust- like the pete gears i used in my 350ci crate engine from summit for my 1970 lemans rebuild. The sensors are a real headache on these new skis as well. Not a good system for something that spends most of its life wet and usually exposed to harsh elements. But they are pretty sweet for the short time they are running right!

 

[Milehighguy303]

Steve, I am a bit younger than you, but a few years ago, I had the same goals as you in buying a water craft. But also needed and wanted a ski to tow my teenage kids with power and reliability. I found a 75 hour 2007 GTI SE 155 and have been happy and trouble free for 4 years now. The couple issues I have had were self inflicted by friends. This is a smooth cruising, reliable, affordable, and reasonably powerful ski for 2 people and very stable. I steer everyone I can to the 2007-2010 GTI generation skis that have these mentioned priorities.