96 polaris SL780 worth buying?

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birdgod

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I am looking to get a PWC. this guy is selling $1000 for his 96 polaris SL780. only 46 hours on it and it look pretty clean con with the trailer. is it worth the money? i heard that the 96 polaris is out of business because if the poor qulity product..... thanks for inputs.
 

treye3

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Jun 13, 2010
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Re: 96 polaris SL780 worth buying?

Under use is the killer of all Jetski's. Junk. You get what you pay for. If you are mechanically inclined offer 600.00 plan to spend 500 on new parts. Starters, batteries, plugs, maybe rebuilds of gummed up carbs. If it runs ok you might have a good deal hard to know. Jetskis are a dime a dozen. Check ebay.
 

bently

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May 24, 2009
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Re: 96 polaris SL780 worth buying?

Polaris quite the PWC market around the 2002-2003. There are tons of parts, I had a SL780, it was good machine but #1 issue was the oil injection, switch it over to pre-mix and you should be ok.

I think the PWC world is missing the boat on all of the new machines, they need to build some smaller 1 to two person ski with lighter hulls and go back to half the hp. The cost guard will not allow them to go over 65 mph stock so there is no need for the 255 hp 600 to 800 lb hulls like they build now.
 

birdgod

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Re: 96 polaris SL780 worth buying?

I got Fxxxed... ended up buying this junk, turn up that 2 cylinder was broken. The guy fire it up for me and i think it is ok. so pay him $800. the next morning, tried to fire it up, too a while and then notice only the 3rd cylinder is getting warm and the other two is cool to the touch. Check compression and read
1st: 0
2nd: 50
3rd: 150
open the cylinder and see a hell. The dump *** install the piston the wrong way.....
So the story tell us that , always test compression on the cylinder before you hand the $$ over. That guy look like a nice guy........ and I used to believe that all boaters is helpful and good people, ...... at least it is still true in this forums:)
 

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treye3

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Jun 13, 2010
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Re: 96 polaris SL780 worth buying?

Very sad, cant say I am surprised. Get is fixed yet?:(
 

robcarync

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Aug 19, 2010
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Re: 96 polaris SL780 worth buying?

that is unfortunate...buying used jet skis is kinda like a mystery box....

i got two of em...one was a piece of work....the other was water ready and running great...
 

birdgod

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Re: 96 polaris SL780 worth buying?

got it fix and are running good now, can hit 52mph.
 

dannyual767

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May 15, 2010
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Re: 96 polaris SL780 worth buying?

got it fix and are running good now, can hit 52mph.

Just curious; is that a gps measured speed or from the ski's speedometer?

BTW, for anyone reading this thread and considering buying a used, running jetski. Always, always, always do a compression test! Always! Not only that, but do an actual ride test on the water! A jetski engine can run "fine" on the trailer and fall flat on it's face when under load on the water!
 

birdgod

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Sep 21, 2009
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275
Re: 96 polaris SL780 worth buying?

it is the ski's speedometer, i know it might not be accurate but it is already too fast for me :)
 

dannyual767

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May 15, 2010
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Re: 96 polaris SL780 worth buying?

Thanks for the info, bird. Enjoy your ski.
 

vmuller

Recruit
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Jul 19, 2018
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i have a used polaris slt hasn’t been run since 2000.
got it running with new batt oil and gas. ran like a bat out of hell. never had issues. not bad eh
 
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