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Thinking of buying a 1996 GSX

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Robj

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Hello, I found a 1996 GSX project ski. Is there any reason I should avoid buying this ski? I can get it for $500, which isn't cheap, but the ski seems to be in good shape with the exception that it needs a rebuilt motor.

Thanks for any input.

Rob.
 
i guess it would depend on your market where you are at..up here if that ski was for sale i wouldnt pay more than 300 for it...a new SBT engine will run you about 1000 if you put it in yourself and that ski would retail for about 1500 on a trailer in the prime season...
 
try to get it for a few bucks less if you can, but that is OK money for one with a trailer. if everything else works (2 beeps with the key, gauges and vts functional), its not a bad deal at all. expect to probably have to rebuild the jet pump, replace the wear ring, and possibly even get the impeller refurbed or replaced (total cost: 200-250, even more if you replace impeller with aftermarket if you were in the US, not sure about prices in canada). again, if you were in the US, an sbt 787 will run you around 1100 bucks depending on where you are in the country after shipping to you and returning the core. not sure what it would be worth in canada, but it'd be worth around 2000-2500 during the season down here, less during the winter obviously.
 
Thanks for the input. I am thinking that $500 is too much. I buy all my parts from the US and a SES rebuild is about $1k. Just wondering about the year, are there any problems with that year and ski? It has a 787 engine.

Thanks.
 
I've got one and so far it's been a great ski. I bought it last fall for $800.00 it only had 76hrs. I rode it some last fall and rode it this summer, I put about 60 hours on it, no major problems. New wear ring, rebuilt pump, and it had a bad voltage regulator. The ski was kind of ugly when I got it but it turned out to be in great mechanical shape.

Lou
 

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That ski looks great, real clean, is it a 1996 as well? Unfortunately skis cost a little more up here. If I get a good running ski with a rebuilt motor and can do it for less than $2k I will be happy. That is my goal anyway.
 
Yep, it's a 96, the gauge cover and handlebar covers, were really faded, I couldn't find a color match so I painted the yellow. Dr Honda made the graphic on the the gauge cover. I even got Sheridan (the girl in my avatar) with the deal.

Lou
 
$500 is fair as long as the cases are good and the jugs are able to be good cores. The electrical box with dess key sells for $275, the oil tank alone is $100, the carbs $150, I know these items go for this because i sell them for that all the time. Thats 3 things and you are already at $525 you can part it out at about $1500 as long as the hulls not beat up its worth it. Those great deals where you get one thats running cheap are not around often and when they are you need to be there within hours of the postings on cl.
 
Ive parted out 3 1996 gsx's i know the prices. Maybe contact minnetonka for some of those parts see what he charges. I know what i get for items
 
well, i knew i should have just shut up and not said a word since we'd derail the thread,
 
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Robj - 96 GSX is a good ski, you will enjoy it if you get it.

parts guys - any chance of getting just the plastic cover for the VTS housing? one of the tabs is broken off of mine.
 
I paid $80 from minnetonka for a stator
Your prices are from salt water epuipment. I know that the parts you get from those are not going to get the same attention that a fresh water seadoo would get. Honestly would you buy a head off of a machine ran only in michigan fresh water or an ocean? That oil tank by the way i sell from 96 gsx only at ***. for some reason newer ones split and the x4 hull oil resevoirs i toss too. i clean my carbs before i sell them and i also stated in my other post that i deleted that i am buying these non running so some parts are not able to be sold, i wont buy a machine with cracked cases, because there is always damage to other parts. There may also be some electrical problems too but i have a 96 gsx i use as a test dummy. I just bought 1 yesterday for $400 if i cant triple my money i dont buy them. Just speaking my mind on the 1996 gsx i have bought 5 this year, i kept 1 parted three and got one yesterday. I know your not getting that off of a 95 xp but these im quite familiar with. This is just my experience. I deleted those lists before you posted the reply, becuase i realized as well that this thread was taking a wrong turn
 
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DDDDEEEEERRRRRRRRRAIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLLLLLEddddd yes sir , just buy the darn ski......its worth it , if you can jew him down to 400 , do it , just look at the fuel lines, if they are grey , tell him they need replaced and carbs need torn down too..............honestly on a 96 gsx i would be comfortable with 500 in a hull and another 1200 in a new premium 787 from SBT , just as long as it looks good.
 
Pm me your address i will send it to you for the cost of shipping, i have a bunch of them laying around. Do you want it priority mail or parcel post. Im am serious too
 
jetskigoodies....
deleted list also... your right, derails thread and frankly its better left unsaid, thats bar room talk, not forum talk :)
carry on...
 
thank you fellas, now if one of you could on the other hand get me a gtx green hood in decent condition for just the cost of shipping, now that would be appreciated lol.
 
Thanks for all the info. I will see if I can get him down lower. I have a GS and it is a great ski, really like. That is why I want the GSX, same hull as the GS but with more ponies. Part of my debate was should I try and find a newer one, like 97 or 98? Winter is long and if I don't get this one I am sure I will find another.
 
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