Advise on Jet Ski Purchase Needed

[fixmyevinrude]

Looking to buy 2 jet skiis for family fun. I came across 2 this week for sale with a double trailer. One of them is a 1999 Yamaha 1200 3 seater model and the other is a 1999 Kawasaki 900 3 seater model. Both are very very clean and are being sold by the original owner. They are a little older than I planned on buying but as I said they are super clean. The owner says he has had no trouble with either one. What should I look for and what questions should I ask. Are either of the models known for any particular defect or problems. I am looking for reliability and am not concerned about having the fastest machine on the water.. They will be used for cruising and pulling tubers. The asking price is $8100. Price is negotiable. I believe that is a pretty steep price for 11 year old jet skiis. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Advise on Jet Ski Purchase Needed

Seems kinda high to me too.

Greenhulk.com is a great website for info on jet ski's.

 

[Dryon]

Re: Advise on Jet Ski Purchase Needed

First suggestion would be to check prices on NADA.
Then review the attached sheet for things to consider and what to look for before purchasing a used Ski. Hope this helps.

 

[smclear]

Re: Advise on Jet Ski Purchase Needed

Seems kinda high to me too.

Greenhulk.com is a great website for info on jet ski's.

greenhulk.COM is a bogus site. what you want is greenhulk.NET

 

[kend301]

Re: Advise on Jet Ski Purchase Needed

Sounds like alot of $$$ to me ... Are they in mint condition with low hrs ?

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Advise on Jet Ski Purchase Needed

that's close to twice what they are worth

 

[fixmyevinrude]

Re: Advise on Jet Ski Purchase Needed

The more research I do the more the price looks to be extremely out of line. Anybody have any knowledge of these particular skis. Are they problematic are are they pretty reliable?

 

[dbric36]

Re: Advise on Jet Ski Purchase Needed

At that price you should just move on. Way over what they are worth even in mint condition.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Advise on Jet Ski Purchase Needed

In that price range you can find a pair of good used 4 stroke yamaha or sea doo skies and be way ahead of the game, 2 stroke is a thing of the past.I didn't mention kwawasaki because I own one right out of the box brand new paid cash and it has been the biggest piece of crap I have ever owned,, also the service has been real bad. so I now will not recommend a kawasaki ,, my next new ski will be a yamaha, I will be buying one cash on the barrel this summer and retiring my last sea doo 4 tec, but sea doo has been pretty good with the exception of the pump liners and bearings.

 

[kend301]

Re: Advise on Jet Ski Purchase Needed

Take the advice of Jeff W .. He is the "force" in this forum . Trust the force , use the force young seawalker .... (had to go there , too tempting)

 

[fixmyevinrude]

Re: Advise on Jet Ski Purchase Needed

Jeff's advice also answered another question in my mind. The 2 stroke verses 4 stroke debate. Sounds like 4 stroke is the way to go. I am going to keep looking and try to find some good 4 stroke Yamaha's. Will the 4 strokes have enough initial power to pull skiers or tubers? I really appreciate all the good help here. Thank you.

 

[Jeff Walkowiak]

Re: Advise on Jet Ski Purchase Needed

more than enough power for all the fun stuff,, 4 strokes have more out of the hole torque than you need and better on gas than a 2 stroke without smoking out the people behind you on the tube.