Always wanted a jetski, just bought my first house so I can finally keep on in my garage, but money is tight. Looked at a 96 gti yesterday, started it on the trailer, going to take it out on the water today. Owned by a kid, but he's very mechanically inclined. It looks a little beat, but apparently runs great. Price is $1500. OR a 1999 xp which looks nice, haven't seen it but owner says we can take it out on the water too. Price is $2800 but says he'll take $2500. Both apparently need nothing. Are these good skis or either notorious for problems? The extra grand is a lot to me but if it'll be worth it then I'd do it. I'm worried the older one will die on me. Please help me decide! I want to be on the water next weekend! Thanks!
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first jetski 96 gti or 99 xp?
- Thread starter Stunts
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I may and probably am biased as I own a 96GTI. I love the ski, while not the fastest ski on the lake,it is a good performer, it runs about 52mph, but seems to like 45mph best.
Its' a large ski, by 96 standards, 3 seater, and very stable in the water.
I have had very few problems with mine, just the usual stuff for a 14 year ski.
I have replaced the grey fuel lines, selector switch, gas filters, etc. also the wear ring.
I my opinion the 717 motor, while not the fastest, is the most reliable that SeaDoo has used, also has a rotary valve which is pretty maintance free.
Lou
Its' a large ski, by 96 standards, 3 seater, and very stable in the water.
I have had very few problems with mine, just the usual stuff for a 14 year ski.
I have replaced the grey fuel lines, selector switch, gas filters, etc. also the wear ring.
I my opinion the 717 motor, while not the fastest, is the most reliable that SeaDoo has used, also has a rotary valve which is pretty maintance free.
Lou
Lou, I like the fact that its stable, it'll be nice to go crabbing/fishing off (yes you read that right!). Hopefully it reliable, but being do old, things are bound to fail. I'm not a fan of how old it looks, but the price is attractive.
Seedooya, how are the 99 XPs? Reliable? Problematic? I love the quickness and handling it provides, but worried about rolling it and flooding/killing the engine. Anything to prevent this? Is it true there's only one way to roll it back so you don't flood it? The price is $2800 but he will not take anything less then $2500, he's very firm on that. I've been checking Craigslist, that's all I've looked at. Both are very local to me, going to test drive the XP after work.
Seedooya, how are the 99 XPs? Reliable? Problematic? I love the quickness and handling it provides, but worried about rolling it and flooding/killing the engine. Anything to prevent this? Is it true there's only one way to roll it back so you don't flood it? The price is $2800 but he will not take anything less then $2500, he's very firm on that. I've been checking Craigslist, that's all I've looked at. Both are very local to me, going to test drive the XP after work.
didnt take in consideration, that , that year was a 951 motor. Yup, price is good.
If crabbing/fishing, then you'd want something more stable...96gti. But at that price, you should be able to find a 96/97gtx with the 800cc, or a newer gti..97/98.
Depends on hows' it maintained...raves cleaned, fuel line replaced...etc. If that xp jumps outta hole, and your get'n 68-6950rpms, then that skis' good, with good topend speed, high 50's.
If crabbing/fishing, then you'd want something more stable...96gti. But at that price, you should be able to find a 96/97gtx with the 800cc, or a newer gti..97/98.
Depends on hows' it maintained...raves cleaned, fuel line replaced...etc. If that xp jumps outta hole, and your get'n 68-6950rpms, then that skis' good, with good topend speed, high 50's.
OK so $2500 isn't had then, I just don't want to get ripped off. He says it has less then 150 hours on it. I've been reading reviews and some people say the XP isn't reliable and definitely not stable? Especially with two people. Could it pull a tube (I know it'd be illegal)? Also how had is it if I roll it? I think this would be a better ski for me coming off street bikes.
luckysaturn13
New Member
I ride a sport bike fairly often and the handling on my xp blew me away. once you get the hang of it you will be able to do things that would never be close to possiable on a bike. My 94 xp is very unstable with 2 people. its ok if the trim is down and you dont get 2 crazy but if you try to kill it and just float you will fall over. Also trying to get back on after falling off with 2 people is a challenge. Im sure you will be happy with either one you get. Just make sure to get the shop manuel and do all the mataince. And also watch out for grey fuel lines. But there pretty easy to change out.
The xp will be way more prone to flipping but also more agile and quicker. It does have the power to pull someone. Its definately less stable with two people but helps if each person knows how to ride it. The xp would not be a very good ski to fish off of because of the instability. Yes there is only one way to flip the ski back over. I have flipped mine over once with two people on it. It did not start back up (we were at the dock getting ready to load up and leave anyways). Took home, checked cylinders for water (no water) and pulled spark plug. Put new spark plug in and it fired right up. The xp is a super fun ski
Sounds good. Where can I get a shop manual? I guess I'll just have to take it easy when I have an extra person on. Has anyone ever flipped an XP before? Rotate counter clockwise if your at the back of the ski? I've heard they have bad water problems tho? The owner isn't letting me test drive it because last ski he sold someone tried stealing. I have to get a compression tester Hopefully though. We'll see, thanks for the help!
Here is a list of things you could look at when purchasing a SeaDoo, this is pretty much true for most models.
1. Check the compression, generally the compression should be around 150psi and no less than 130psi, with a difference of not more than 10%.
2. Does the ski still have the grey fuel lines, this is not a deal breaker, but spending between $100-200 to replace the line, clean or replace filter, replace fuel selector valve, and maybe overhaul the carbs.
3. Visually inspect the wear ring, look for missing pieces, if you can cleck the clearance between the impeller and the wear ring, should be no more than .040" also inspect the impeller for damage, nicks, dings. This is not a deal breaker either, if you do it yourself plan on spending about $40-50 for a new wear ring.
4. If you can take it for a ride, listen for unusal noice, rattles, grinding, vibrations etc. See if the owner has service records, most of us work on our own skis, so this might not be available.
Hope this helps.
Lou
1. Check the compression, generally the compression should be around 150psi and no less than 130psi, with a difference of not more than 10%.
2. Does the ski still have the grey fuel lines, this is not a deal breaker, but spending between $100-200 to replace the line, clean or replace filter, replace fuel selector valve, and maybe overhaul the carbs.
3. Visually inspect the wear ring, look for missing pieces, if you can cleck the clearance between the impeller and the wear ring, should be no more than .040" also inspect the impeller for damage, nicks, dings. This is not a deal breaker either, if you do it yourself plan on spending about $40-50 for a new wear ring.
4. If you can take it for a ride, listen for unusal noice, rattles, grinding, vibrations etc. See if the owner has service records, most of us work on our own skis, so this might not be available.
Hope this helps.
Lou
Definitely helps, thanks Lou. I think he just replaced the wear ring, I have to reseach what this is though. He said his lines are original, even on his 95 XP. He pulls the lines every time he's done and lets the engine die due to no gas so there's none left on the line (my buddy did the same thing to his boat), that good? I wont be able to take it for a ride but he will ride it in front of me. Hopefully it checks out, I plan to get it tomorrow, $2500 a good deal? Now I just have to wait until my trailer hitch comes for my 01 Grand Prix and take this thing to the bay! Oh and get my boating license online.
Wire4Money
New Member
951 factory compression is lower than the others. They came with 130psi
OK, he's letting me take it out if I give him the money first,whatever. So When riding it, I wouldn't know what noises are bad or good unless its obvious. Any riding "tests" I should do? I will check the compression tomorrow, he said it was around 146 last year? Weird if its supposed to be 130, maybe he's just BSing. Thanks for all the help everyone,keep the suggestions and info coming, I greatly appreciate it!
OK, I thought that was a test and told him, but he said he never did that. He rolls into the throttle off the line then cracks it open. So if it spins what does that mean? I know if it bogs down, that's definitely bad, could be a fuel problem etc, I just thought spins was similar to doing a burnout, no traction. Thanks, today should be the day, I'm pretty amped!
OK, been doing some research on the 951. Seems it has a lot of problems but most are owner induced. What is the proper way to take care of Ans maintain this ski? I've read that fogging it after every use and running host water thru it as well, but there are several methods. I'm not quite sure what fogger is? After I get it home, what's the routine for keeping things in good running condition? Hook up a hose to it, start it, turn the water on and let it run for a minute? Then turn the water off and let it run for a few more seconds dry? Should I pull the intake filter off and use "fogger" during all this until it dies? Sorry I'm a total noob, I just want to take care of this ski the way to should be. On worried about the reliability of the 951 and don't want to be left stranded. Thanks.
This seems like a good write up on what to Do after every use, any other suggestions? I have so much to learn!
http://m.wikihow.com/Properly-Flush-a-2-Stroke-Jet-Ski/Sea-Doo/Waverunner/Personal-Water-Craft
http://m.wikihow.com/Properly-Flush-a-2-Stroke-Jet-Ski/Sea-Doo/Waverunner/Personal-Water-Craft
when they're right (951), the skis a blast, but with anything, somethings amatter, can be an easy fix, or set a match to.
Whats ur intentions with it? if you got wife/g-f, and this being your only ski, then no, its not a 2-person craft, nor is any 2-person seadoo ski, you need a 3-place. Not knock'n the gti, but stay away from the 650 motor, get the 720cc...97-04gti, 98-03gts....anything in those yrs with the 720cc. The 96-97gtx are bad-a$$, but also, they got the 787cc, which has added features to the motor...raves, counterbalance, but unlike the 951, the case pressurizes the raves, where the 951 uses a solenoid, anutha feature to go bad.
Whats ur intentions with it? if you got wife/g-f, and this being your only ski, then no, its not a 2-person craft, nor is any 2-person seadoo ski, you need a 3-place. Not knock'n the gti, but stay away from the 650 motor, get the 720cc...97-04gti, 98-03gts....anything in those yrs with the 720cc. The 96-97gtx are bad-a$$, but also, they got the 787cc, which has added features to the motor...raves, counterbalance, but unlike the 951, the case pressurizes the raves, where the 951 uses a solenoid, anutha feature to go bad.
Just found a ski pretty local to me, I know its still a 951 but its the original owner, very well maintained. What does everyone think? I'm begining to think the 3 seater will be better for me, so I can take people for rides and tubing.
http://delaware.craigslist.org/boa/1838934724.html
http://delaware.craigslist.org/boa/1838934724.html
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