My first Tahoe

[kjcba8181]

Hey guys, newbie here. Going to look at a 2001 Tahoe Q3 with the 3.0 liter motor. The guy wants $4k for the boat. It seems like a good deal and I think I may buy it. Was looking for some feedback about the price or problems with this particular model. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Going to cruise your board and see what I can find.

Thanks.

 

[C-17 Pilot]

Re: My first Tahoe

Welcome. I'm new here as well and the one big piece of advice I got was motor size. I've got a family of 5 (pre-teen kids), and was thinking of a 2009 Q4 w/ the 3.0 or the 2008 Q5 w/ the 4.3. There was a HUGE power difference which was easily recognizable. I'm definitely happy I went with a year older and larger motor -- the Q5i (only 22 hours difference on the two models I looked at).

I'd say peek over at the motor forums as well and check out any info about the 2001 mercruiser I/O 3.0.

Good luck.

 

[Scott0847]

Re: My first Tahoe

I am looking at an 08 Q5. I asked the guy about the hours and he said the boat does not have an hour meter because it is not a federal requirement. Does anyone know if this is true? thanks

 

[jkust]

Re: My first Tahoe

Well 4k for a contemporary boat is practically giving it away. If you are limited with your budget, 4k to get out on the water is pretty cheap. Now once I get past that, the 4.3 has 50% more hp and that is a huge difference where so many aspects are concerned. The fact is Tahoes from the oldest to the brand new ones are budget conscience boats. They aren't built for quality and heft but for affordability and this particular one seems affordable. Is sounds as though you may be new to boating and so, I would at least get it checked out by someone you trust. 4k could turn into 8k if the block is cracked or the floor is rotted. The 3.0 is a tried and tested engine that seems to satisfy a lot of folks.

 

[bellhop]

Re: My first Tahoe

Well 4k for a contemporary boat is practically giving it away. If you are limited with your budget, 4k to get out on the water is pretty cheap. Now once I get past that, the 4.3 has 50% more hp and that is a huge difference where so many aspects are concerned. The fact is Tahoes from the oldest to the brand new ones are budget conscience boats. They aren't built for quality and heft but for affordability and this particular one seems affordable. Is sounds as though you may be new to boating and so, I would at least get it checked out by someone you trust. 4k could turn into 8k if the block is cracked or the floor is rotted. The 3.0 is a tried and tested engine that seems to satisfy a lot of folks.

Just for my own personal knowledge, as you seem to be pretty opinionated on Tahoes in this and other replies, what constitutes quality as you see it? I have absolutely no problem with the "quality" of my Tahoe. Have you previously owned one and had a bad experience? Do I have to pay $100,000.00 for a boat for it to be considered worthy and be of desireable quality? I'm just trying to understand what your thoughts are based on. I understand that some finer points such as hardware and what not can be considered defining points but still, no problems there either. Any boat will turn into a pile of trash if it's not properly maintained or operated. I would hardly consider a Tahoe to be a floating "Yugo". (I apologize in advance to any offended Yugo owners)

 

[jkust]

Re: My first Tahoe

Just for my own personal knowledge, as you seem to be pretty opinionated on Tahoes in this and other replies, what constitutes quality as you see it? I have absolutely no problem with the "quality" of my Tahoe. Have you previously owned one and had a bad experience? Do I have to pay $100,000.00 for a boat for it to be considered worthy and be of desireable quality? I'm just trying to understand what your thoughts are based on. I understand that some finer points such as hardware and what not can be considered defining points but still, no problems there either. Any boat will turn into a pile of trash if it's not properly maintained or operated. I would hardly consider a Tahoe to be a floating "Yugo". (I apologize in advance to any offended Yugo owners)

bellhop, I don't want to hijack this thread. Tahoes for some are fantastic boats as they do not cost a lot of money and allow you to get on the water cheaply in a contemporary style. As I am in Minnesota and everyone I know owns a bowrider due to our over 11,000 lakes, I see them quite often and of course know many, many Tahoe owners. We conveniently receive an advert for Tahoe boats each and every Sunday as well. There are many threads as to what constitutes legitimate quality I suggest you may want to review if you are unsure of the differences so as not to hijack this anymore. I am glad to hear that you do not believe a Tahoe brand boat to be any sort of car that floats. That will be helpful if future discussions.

 

[bellhop]

Re: My first Tahoe

Ahhh, sarcasm, I recognize that. I don't believe this to be thread hijacking as I am trying to assist the OP in his decision on a purchase. He was looking for feedback and maybe he should know if that feedback was biased in some way, be it negative or positive. I am a Tahoe owner and would have no problem in letting anyone know of any negative issues I may have experienced. Don't assume you are talking to a moron, as suggested in your last two sentences.

Kjcba, I would also suggest that with any boat you decide to buy, get the biggest engine you can afford. The performance value will far exceed the slightly higher expense in fuel. Also consider how many people you plan to carry. An I/O takes up alot of interior room. A swim platform also takes away from the advertised overall length as far as interior space is concerned.

 

[C-17 Pilot]

Re: My first Tahoe

As a new Tahoe owner (2008 Q5i), I actually think that JKUSTS statement is spot-on. My co-worker has a $60K Malibu, and my boat, when pulled up next to his, doesn't compare. It's kind of like when you pull up in your Honda Civic next to the BMW 5 series....both boats will get you to where you want to go. the more $$$ you spend, the more quality you'll get.

I've had only learning problems with my Tahoe...since I bought it used, but, to my satisfaction, I've had it on the water 4 times, and all the times I got out of it what I paid for -- family fun which is somewhat economical.

I'm going to now go troll over at the Chaparral forum...

 

[jkust]

Re: My first Tahoe

Ahhh, sarcasm, I recognize that. I don't believe this to be thread hijacking as I am trying to assist the OP in his decision on a purchase. He was looking for feedback and maybe he should know if that feedback was biased in some way, be it negative or positive. I am a Tahoe owner and would have no problem in letting anyone know of any negative issues I may have experienced. Don't assume you are talking to a moron, as suggested in your last two sentences.

Kjcba, I would also suggest that with any boat you decide to buy, get the biggest engine you can afford. The performance value will far exceed the slightly higher expense in fuel. Also consider how many people you plan to carry. An I/O takes up alot of interior room. A swim platform also takes away from the advertised overall length as far as interior space is concerned.

Ok apologies for the sarcasm, it is not productive. Listen I have several boats including a Bayliner bowrider. Probably the lowest quality boat I've seen in a while but it has held up well because of the maintenance and care it has been given. The fact is in Minnesota, we have few things to our name and one is lakes and hence boats. One of the side effects of living here is getting to know a lot of people with boats with different boat brands. Most I know have a boat and/or second home on a lake with multiple boats. Like being in the pits of a raceway, you get to know what is happening and speak the language. Here most boats people own are under 20 feet and your "upgrade" isn't the 2-footitis type of move but the move up the ladder to a more premium boat. I have first hand opinions and knowledge of many boat brands of the types of bowriders used here. There is a pretty linear hierarchy of quality from lowest to highest. Even if you don't know how the boat is constructed, just pull 5 or 6 brands up to eachother like at a sandbar and take a look and a few discussions. Like I said above, a Tahoe with a 3.0 for that low of a price assuming all is well, will likely be just fine. Not sure what else you want me to say.

 

[bellhop]

Re: My first Tahoe

No problems here. I don't disagree at all that most of the higher priced boats are of better quality overall when compared side by side. When you price the two (Tahoe vs. brand X) with similar options, some of which come standard on a Tahoe, that you end up paying twice as much for the other. No problem there if thats the boat you want, it's that person's preference. I was just saying the Tahoe is not a totally inferior product, I don't believe you said that either.

Never had a Bayliner but my cousin bought a new one in the 80's which I guess was during the period of questionable quality. All I can say about that Bayliner from personal experience is that we had a blast in it and it was trouble free.

I think Tahoe's value for the dollar may come into question soon if they continue to delete standard equipment like they have over the past few years. Forward boarding ladder, carry on cooler, anchor locker, etc. Was standard on my model back then I believe.

 

[yourboatmyboat]

Re: My first Tahoe

Go buy groceries today compaired to the past ,a 1lb. can of veggies is now 12oz's for the same or more cost.The cars now are more fuel effecant and cost less to operate but look at the increase in the cost of the car, are you really saving anything.Usually modifications added or take away is to keep the product at a competetive price without sacrificing quality, and on customer surveys.