Looking at a '96 XP and need some advice

[scrisp]

My brother in law is looking for his first PWC and saw a '96 XP that looks in really good condition.

The seller is about 100 miles away, so I wanted to see what you guys thougth that a decent price would be for this, with a Shorelander single trailer, before we drive all the way out there. I want him to be able to negotiate the best price, providing that the Seadoo has good compression and is in good condition?

Also, what should the compression numbers be for this model?

Is there anything that I should be looking out for when checking it over?

Thanks!!!
Scott

 

[brock1]

lots to look for on that model....its a fun ski but check these things...
1) compression should be around 150 ..anything below 130 it needs a top end soon....
2) ask what kind of oil he used ..has to be API-TC synthetic oil in that engine.... if he cant remember use that for a lower price
3) do all guages work...especially VTS
4) have the fuel lines been replaced and the carbs clean
5) make sure to WATER TEST IT...check to see if when idling and you punch the throttle it should rip your arms off with acceleration if it dosent it needs work
6) ANY MODS AT ALL......if there are mods that were done by him and not a professional i would pass it by....by mods i mean things like a pipe or high compression head...that pipe stock will be purple or white ...
7) I personally would not pay more than about 1300 if EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT....the time of year will reflect the price.....where is this SKI at im about 100 miles from you

 

[scrisp]

Thanks Brock, I'm gonna print this out and take it with us.

The ski is in Lansing somewhere. I emailed my brother in law to ask how much the guy was asking. He's got two and a two place trailer and asking $3900, but my bil only wants one and the guy has another one place trailer. If we can talk him down in price, I might pickup the second one and sell my '95 SPX.

I told him that the blue book on the ski is right around $1350 in perfect condition. The owner is an older guy who seems to have taken really good care of it. He has some other stuff for sale to and they all look like new, but we'll see when we get there. The seller also offered to let us drive it around the lake that he lives on, so that's a bonus (just gonna be cold Saturday. lol). I have my compression checker and tools, along with a multimeter to check over any electrical issues that we might run into.

 

[brock1]

no problem...ok i seen those they have been listed a few different times with different wording ...they actually look really clean and that shorelander trailer is worth about 800.00 alone so if you could get one for 1200.00 you are getting a smoking deal..IF all checks out....on the package deal 4000 is too much at this time of year whether they are mint or not... i would offer 3000.00 for both and both trailers and if he takes it run like crazy because you just stole them.....you will love this ski if you get it...just make sure on all those checkpoints.... mainly the compression and the fuel lines..they are essential ...the lines break down over time and plug up the carbs and kill the engine....as long as the lines are not grey colored they have been replaced......good luck post on what you find

 

[racerxxx]

Just looked on CL, if they're on there. If it's the one I saw it looks very clean, graphics are crisp, no fading, original seat cover, black trim is glossy. All of which don't equate to a solid machine, but it may speak for the care/maintenance of the XP. As Brock stated check the gauges, but more importantly, check to see if the VTS ACTUALLY works. Yes it would be nice if the gauge worked, but I'd take a working VTS with a beat gauge. Check the head bolts to see if the paint is chipped from the heads, a sure sign someone has been in the engine. It's OK if he has documentation to back up the engine being opened up. Check the casting plugs on the head pipe (round caps welded to the cast pipe), the under side just above the magneto cover is usually the first to fail. There are 4 of them, 2 that you can see, two that you can't. Take a mirror to look underneath the pipe. A water test is a must(without the seat on) as well as checking all the other stuff Brock posted. If there was any engine mods done, personally, I'd walk. If the engine is original, remember it's a 96 a 16 year old engine, so you could be getting at the end of it's rope. I'd also pull out if the engine was corroded. All that being said, 1300 is probably a fair price in good shape. By me, that is probably a $1500+ ski

 

[Matt Braley]

The original poster has been given good advice by both of you. Brock, you have come miles in a couple short months. I want to argue with the average guy added mods point but I can't. Most of the time someone is going backwards if they don't get it set up by the right guy and understand/monitor it. A correct running, stock 96XP is a beautiful thing. Scrisp- you should get the other one or your riding buddy is gonna smoke you.

 

[caliburn]

just my 2 cents, Pictures are wourthless unless they are taken a foot or two away, many times I have seen something and they looked mint but when I went in person I got to see all the dings ,scratches and imperfections that you cant see on a picture, and the bottom hull as well.