Looking at buying a 00 Challenger, need advice.

[Brahmus]

I'm always scanning the papers/online for "deals". I don't "need" a boat but we moved to the lake at the beginning of the year and have been keeping an eye out for sutible toys.

I stumbled across a 00' Challenger w/ twin 85hp motors. Boat is in good condition, no serious fading, but the seats have some cracks and tears. Sits on a brand new trailer. Now the curve ball is that he's telling me it was running flawlessly recently when he had it serviced but since then the computer has failed. Said it would cost around $1200 to replace and that the mechanic is confident that is the culprit. Nothing happens when you put the key on nothing happens, no beeps, nothing works, lights, nada. Claims it's a brand new battery. I've got him down to $3500 thus far.

In your opinions is it worth it, is it a deal? Things I should look for? Is this a decent toy? Can anyone give me some quick background on the boat, how long has this setup been around, motor reliablity, maintaince, top speed, towing ability?

Can I put a tower on the boat? We would like to get back into wakeboarding etc and just general riding. Top speed not important as long as it's respectable, I'm more worried about fuel economy and power towing. Anything else I should look for when I go to check it out.. if that's the consensis.

 

[timmyboy76]

I stopped reading at 3500 buks. NO WAY, then you "spend" 1200 buks for new board, just to find, the motors, SUCK. Dude, walk away...RUN AWAY.

Go back, find electrical box/s, then inspect the fuses, if 5amp is blown, have some new ones with you, and disconnect the yellows/red wires from the rectifiers, may be a plug itself, and if still pops, then you know its junk, but guy here "All things custom" possibly can fix it, thats if, they didnt start putting "higher" amp fuses into the pops ones' places. If confident not, then yeah, he'll fix them for a 5th of the "new" price.

You can also, take a compression gauge, and test motors. Find the red cables going into a box, then "jump" the post, where they attach, while hav'n tester installed. If the "seller" is hesitant from you to trial/error these things, then walk away. That boat aint worth no more than 1000 buks, as it sits.:cheers:

 

[Brahmus]

In your opinion what would this boat be worth if it was running?

I looked at all the fuses last night, or at least the ones on the computer, none were blown. Now I don't know if they put higher ones in the blown ones place or not, but I'll ask him.

Thanks for being honest, I'm known for biting off a bigger project than initally anticipated.

I figured with a new $1500 Trailer the boat was selling for 2K as is and was an ok deal. But I'm knew to jet boats.

 

[timmyboy76]

you dont take "trailer' into consideration, just the boat.

 

[RFoster130]

you dont take "trailer' into consideration, just the boat.

Exactly, the trailer is a given on these. I would deduct money if it did not come with one.

 

[Cid6.7]

It could be the "electrical box" wich is what $1200 to replace..But could it also just be the DESS not hookin up properly...
Could be somethin as simple as that..

I'd ask the guy to leave you alone with the boat for a day or 2 to see if you can find the problem..If it IS them MPEM then walk away..

 

[ssmedt]

Well i bought my 2001 challenger last December for 4600 with very very very minor problems and have been enjoying it every weekend since; but personally if i were you unless you can talk him down to about a grand i would walk and keep looking