Buying 1996 SeaDoo XP What 2 LOOK Out 4

[JBrecht21]

I am buying a 1996 Sea Doo xp 800 on Saturday. Just was wondering what are some commom problems and what I should look out for when determining to purchase this POS "I hope not". The guy says it runs great and I got him down to $1,400 without a trailer

Also I heard of people disconnecting the oil pump because they fail resulting in a fried engine. pre mix the gas yourself without the oil pump, what u all think of that idea?

 

[liquidlew]

Re: Buying 1996 SeaDoo XP What 2 LOOK Out 4

Going premix is a good idea, I did it on all 3 of my Yamahas, you will always have oil getting to the motor, eliminating the possiblity of an oil line coming loose or someone forgetting to fill the oil tank and running out of oil halflway down the river. Plus, as in my case, no more overfilled oil tanks cuz you can't see the tank while your filling it, and having a huge mess to clean up!

As far as Seadoos, I've seen and heard of way too many blown engines and unreliablity issues with them (have a bro-inlaw who has a 96 XP and a 97 GTX, one or the other is always not working and has had to have both motors rebuilt at some point). I chose Yamaha based on their reputation as being one of, if not the most reliable watercraft out there, and so far that reputation is true!

But if you really like it, go for it, but I think $1400 is WAY too much for that ski, I wouldn't pay more than $700 for that old of a ski, and I'll bet some others here will say 700 is too much, and being a Seadoo...

 

[evilnss]

Re: Buying 1996 SeaDoo XP What 2 LOOK Out 4

get underneath it and take a look at the wear ring and impeller. Find out the last time they changed the pump oil.

do a compression test.

Id def bypass the oil system and premix.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Buying 1996 SeaDoo XP What 2 LOOK Out 4

As far as Seadoos, I've seen and heard of way too many blown engines and unreliablity issues with them (have a bro-inlaw who has a 96 XP and a 97 GTX, one or the other is always not working and has had to have both motors rebuilt at some point).

But if you really like it, go for it, but I think $1400 is WAY too much for that ski, I wouldn't pay more than $700 for that old of a ski, and I'll bet some others here will say 700 is too much, and being a Seadoo...

I've actually had the opposite luck. My seadoo's have been the 2 stroke engines I have ever owned! Not a single issue/complaint/problem. (98 spx and 97 gsx, both 787 engines) The 900cc triple seadoo, used in the 97 gtx, yeah, stay away from that.

Anyway, $1400 is actually a fairly good price. Checked locally, there is a '96 going for $2800 w/trailer. I've seen similar, it will sell fairly quickly. It depends ALOT on location. My 13 year old seadoo's have fewer hours on them than what someone down south might put on in a single year!


http://www.bismanonline.com/getListing.php?tcat=10&cat=79&p=1&a=527579

 

[dannyual767]

Re: Buying 1996 SeaDoo XP What 2 LOOK Out 4

In my neck of the woods, $1400 for a good running 1996 Seadoo XP is a normal price. I've seen some good running 96 XPs for $1000 up to about $2000. $2000 is too high in my opinion but what do I know?

I've only owned Yamahas and they've been extremely reliable. That being said, I really want a 96 XP and that's why I'm familiar with the local prices.