New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

[2manytoys]

Hello,

I am new to this forum and new to boating. I found a nice deal on a closeout Q6SF with the 220hp Mercruiser. I have searched around quite a bit on this and other forums to read as much as possible about Tahoe. Seems that most folks are pretty happy with them with the exception of a few. The dealer has offered a free 5 year extended warranty on top of the ~$4700 discount from the "haggle free" price. Before I pull the trigger on the boat I was wondering if anyone could provide any additional advice of things to look for during my final inspection. Any other comments on Tahoe boats in general would also be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ret USN CPO]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

2Many,
Welcome aboard. I have an '08 Q7i SF w/ the 220hp Merc that I picked up back in March. We had it in the water nearly every weekend this spring, summer, and into the fall. It is a really nice boat. We also looked at the Q6 SF around the same time, but found the difference between the two definately warranted moving up to the Q7.

We found a really great dealer and were able to put the two side by side and make the comparisons. Which brings up a good point. It seems to be the consensus, at least in the Tahoe forums, that the dealership makes the difference. You are going to have issues, most likely minor ones, maybe a big one, but issues nonetheless. It is the nature of having a boat, car, truck, house, anything man made. The difference is how you are treated at the dealership when it comes to warranty work and general service issues. As I said, we found a GREAT dealer. They have addressed every question or concern we had and made sure their answer was satisfactory. BTW our dealer is NOT one of the big box places (i.e. Gander Mountain, Bass Pro Shops, etc.). These seem to be the places most people have issues with.

There is a lot of good information on this forum about Tahoes.

I ended up putting the Nauticus Smart Tabs on my boat...there is a thread on here with pics and everything. What a HUGE difference in hole shot and handling. Not that it was bad before I installed them, but we spend most of our time water skiing and getting a good hole shot is important. I tried a Dol-phin first, but it was very unstable.

Again, welcome, if there are any specific questions I can help with, let me know.

Rod

 

[Hashi]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

As Rod stated, the dealer makes a huge difference in whatever you buy. Check out the Better Business Bureau and county District Attorney's office to see if there's been any complaints filed against the dealer. The one thing I would advise is to make sure you visit the dealer's service department. If it's well equipped and staffed, then you know they are prepared to fix you right up and get you back in the water. The 220hp may be a little under powered though. I wouldn't settle anything less than 260hp but, that's just me.

Good luck!

 

[2manytoys]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

Thanks for the replies. I am still undecided about the boat as the closest Tahoe dealer is 60 miles away. I can get the I/O taken care of locally, but it is the rest of the boat I am concerned if it should need any warranty work.

Thanks again.

 

[Ret USN CPO]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

My closest Tahoe dealer is about 5 miles away. But I chose to do business with one that is about 90 miles away. The closest is a big box (Cabela's) place and didn't impress me at all.

The other is a local dealership, the owner is there most everyday and is the guy who sold me on the dealership. I don't have a problem driving the extra distance as the lake there is one we frequent and we can drop it off for work after a day on the lake. The work gets done during the week, and we are back down the following week putting it back in the water.

I haven't even checked with the Cabela's to see how easy it would be to get any work done on my boat there. The level of service and satisfaction I get with the other guy is just so much better than the first impression I got from Cabela's.

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

2Many,

Welcome, as others have said. We bought our 07' Q8i last summer under the same conditions you're contemplating. We saved a pile of money and bought a nicer new boat that we could have afforded otherwise.

We've had our share of problem with ours. All small things and our dealer has taken care of everyone of them (same dealer as Rod's). Right now is a big time buyers market on most everything, especially boats. You should shop around and find the one you want, then make a deal. Even if you have to drive to get it. I don't think you can go wrong with Tahoe. We love ours! I also agree with most everything that's been said above. Especially finding a good dealer (even if it's 60 miles away).

Good luck and don't forget to check back here to let us know what you do. (Even if you don't become a member of our Tahoe family.)

 

[mandopickr]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

2many,
I bought a Q6sf from a dealer that was on its last legs, though I didn't know it at the time. I got a good deal, and upgraded my trolling motor, which they had to order. I took the boat, and came back in a couple of weeks to find this dealership closed, which meant it had to go to a second dealer to get the trolling motor installed.

To make a long story short, it took forever. I tried to be patience, but forceful. Finally I called Tahoe, and they were great. It was done in a couple of days after the call. Tahoe also followed up with me to be sure it was satisfactory.FYI.

 

[Hashi]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

This is very reassuring to us Tahoe owners despite the problem posts I've seen over the past year criticizing Tahoe Boats. I've been very happy with my Tahoe Q7i.

 

[jacknbella]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

I almost pulled the trigger on an 08' Q8 myself, until I looked at Four Winns. For nearly the same price (minus HUGE discounts thanks to our poor economy), I bought an awesome boat with a much better quality reputation (and resale). Like someone said earlier, you should shop around and find the best deal because there are many dealers begging you to take their boats off their lots BELOW their cost. Best of luck!

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

I don't think your Four Winns H220 Frenzy is in the same class as the Tahoe Q8i. Retail to retail and comparatively equipped, your boat is $58,700 and the 8i is $42,500. That's a little over $16k more.... You must have got a heck of a deal with Four Winns and the Tahoe man wouldn't budge on his price...
Nice boat though.

 

[jacknbella]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

Yes, I paid $29K out the door. Nearly $27K off the retail price. I found a dealer who was about to close their doors and they just wanted it gone. The Tahoe dealer wouldn't budge from $32K so I got a better (and more equipped) Four Winns for less than a Tahoe. It took months of negotiating and plenty of patience but it was worth it in the end. The trick is to find a dealer in dire straights, which I did. Since then, I also bought a new fully loaded 08' Chevy Tahoe LTZ for $22K off its retail price. Capitalism at its best!!!

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

Man, you did get a great deal!
It sure is a buyers market in most areas.

I do feel a little sorry for the struggling dealers though, but I guess the good ones will survive. I sure hope mine does.

 

[jacknbella]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

Thankfully, I purchased my boat from a Four Winns dealer 4 hours from home knowing my local Four Winns dealer will be my primary service shop so I did not care how bad-off their dealership was struggling. Same goes for my new Chevy Tahoe. I guess I am a little heartless, however, I now have more money to play with my new toys!

 

[Hashi]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

Yes, I paid $29K out the door. Nearly $27K off the retail price. I found a dealer who was about to close their doors and they just wanted it gone. The Tahoe dealer wouldn't budge from $32K so I got a better (and more equipped) Four Winns for less than a Tahoe. It took months of negotiating and plenty of patience but it was worth it in the end. The trick is to find a dealer in dire straights, which I did. Since then, I also bought a new fully loaded 08' Chevy Tahoe LTZ for $22K off its retail price. Capitalism at its best!!!

I am completely jealous. I bought my '08 Tahoe boat in Aug. '07 for $35,000 and my '07 Tahoe truck LT2 in Feb. '07 for $38,000. This is just before the economy went to hell in a hand basket. You got a tremendous deal. Maybe I should call on you to negotiate my future purchases.

Have fun with your new toys!

 

[Ret USN CPO]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

but I guess the good ones will survive. I sure hope mine does.

Me too!

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

Yeah, you and I will be in the same "boat" (not literally of course) if that happens....

 

[jacknbella]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

Hashi and others, here's my trick to haggling-down the price on an 2008 left-over...

First and foremost, do everything via email. NEVER talk to anyone on the phone (until you're ready to close the deal). Ask to correspond with the owner of the dealership (or sales manager) directly. This cuts-out the middle-man. These individuals are more motivated to move their inventory (because it's costing them money sitting on their floor). Focus on boats that have been sitting in their showroom the longest. You can simply ask them how long they've been sitting there. Work with multiple dealerships at the same time just prior to talking about prices. This gives you the advantage of knowing THEIR competion. Above all, begin a "relationship" with respective dealers. Ask them dumb questions (one at a time) from how many cleats are on the boat to how deep the livewell is. It doesn't matter. Just get THEM interested in you. The more questions you ask and the more answers they give you, the more they think you are ready to buy. Once you feel the sales manager/owner has been completely honest (keep in mind, you are also working with other sales managers/owners so you know when they are being honest and truthful), completely change gears from dumb questions to DOLLARS. Tell them you are pre-approved or have CASH in hand, but don't tell them how much. Have them quote you a price. DO NOT give them a ballpark figure!!! This is when you tell them you are also working with other companies and other brands. If you have to build a spreadsheet to keep things organized, do it. Now, they know they have competition. Also, tell them you have plenty of time to make a decision (in other words, you are in no hurry). For most dealerships, they want to sell a boat as soon as possible so you are going against what THEY prefer. This is why all communication is done via email. They cannot "guilt" you into a quick decision or make you feel obligated to "buy now". After they quote you a price, take a few days before you respond then ask them if this is their rock-bottom price. They might go even lower just by you asking. Tell them you are looking at a different boat/brand in a couple days and you'll get back with them soon thereafter. Let them think about THEIR price for a little while. While you are "thinking", ask them one or two other dumb questions about the boat or trailer. Ask about the trailer brakes and whether or not they are ABS. Tell them their website is a little vague and you'd like clarification. This let's them know you are serious. You may already know the answers to these questions but ask them anyway. Get them hooked on you. Anywho, wait a couple more days then send them a number for which you are willing to pay for the boat out-the-door. Do your homework and include sales tax and/or trade-in with your calculations. Research boat prices all over the US and get an estimate for what similar boats are selling for. GO LOW!!! Go REALLY low! Don't be afraid to "insult" them. You haven't met them and you won't even see their face react to your lowball quote. Email is a powerful tool, use it to your advantage. Who cares? It's your money, not theirs. You have the right to NOT buy a boat or go elsewhere where someone else is willing to work with you. It is a buyer's market so YOU have the power to sit and wait for someone who is desperate. Good luck and let me know if I can help any further.

Signed
The Heartless Boat Shopper

 

[Hashi]

Re: New 08 Tahoe Q6SF

Thanks for your advice, Jack. I'll use it for my next major purchase. By the way, you got a nice looking boat.