15 replies to this topic

[gotmdx]

I've owned 4 PWCs and currently this 2000 speedster. I had only purchased one as "brand new" pwc (96 gti) and did not buy an extended warranty. I can only recall one warranty repair done during the times I owned it. Now I am thinking of buying a new 2007 180 Challenger, that is if I could get a good trade in value for my boat! What's the reliability record of this boat? Is it worth buying an extended warranty? How much is a "good deal" for such warranty? Thanks in advance for your input

[Kevin Leclair]

Here are my finding on this. We recently just traded our 2000 Speedster for a 2008 180 Challenger SE, I have been debated the B.E.S.T. warranty myself.

We had our Speedster for about 5 years with no major issues, so it makes me think do I really need the extended warranty? Then I think well it would be my luck on this boat that we would run into problems since it is more technologically advance with the Superchanger/Intercooler etc.

Our dealer said it would cost $1378 for an additional 3 years, she said there is mark-up in this so she would give me for around 25% off so it came to around $1033. I believe I have 60 days to make a decision, after this period she said they would add another $100 for some type of fee. Right now I am going to hold off until we take the boat out a few more times and see how it runs.

[gotmdx]

Here are my finding on this. We recently just traded our 2000 Speedster for a 2008 180 Challenger SE, I have been debated the B.E.S.T. warranty myself.

We had our Speedster for about 5 years with no major issues, so it makes me think do I really need the extended warranty? Then I think well it would be my luck on this boat that we would run into problems since it is more technologically advance with the Superchanger/Intercooler etc.

Our dealer said it would cost $1378 for an additional 3 years, she said there is mark-up in this so she would give me for around 25% off so it came to around $1033. I believe I have 60 days to make a decision, after this period she said they would add another $100 for some type of fee. Right now I am going to hold off until we take the boat out a few more times and see how it runs.

Thanks for this information! That's great savings! Congrats to your new boat!!!! What's the difference between 07 and 08?
I just sold mine today and hopefully get a good deal with the remaining 07s.
Another topic- I am concerned about the sc "washer" breaking. Did you negotiate it be replaced before delivery of the boat?

[Kevin Leclair]

Thanks for this information! That's great savings! Congrats to your new boat!!!! What's the difference between 07 and 08?
I just sold mine today and hopefully get a good deal with the remaining 07s.
Another topic- I am concerned about the sc "washer" breaking. Did you negotiate it be replaced before delivery of the boat?

You're welcome. Yeah, she was offering a great deal on the warranty, I would just like to see how the boat runs a couple more times before I make the decision. Congrats on selling your boat. I wasn't able to find any remaining 2007 180 Challengers in our area, there was a 205 Utopia, Wake Speedster and 200 Speedster. The 180 Challenger is one of the best selling boats for SeaDoo so I believe they are harder to come by. Our dealer had a blue SE and a tan SE, we took delivery on the blue one. He said those might be the only two he gets this year.

That change has already been made for the 2008 boats, so you should be good to go if you go with a 2008. I believe the only other change was the new digital gauges; I must say these are really nice.

NEW ON SEA-DOO 230 CHALLENGER & 180 CHALLENGER: The Sea-Doo sport boat advantage continues with trendsetting and award winning styling created at the BRP state of the art design centre. For 2008, the 230 Challenger boat offers a new walk-through transom for better accessibility, as well as elegant new coloration. The 180 Challenger features a new performance gauge facia.

[gotmdx]

You're welcome. Yeah, she was offering a great deal on the warranty, I would just like to see how the boat runs a couple more times before I make the decision. Congrats on selling your boat. I wasn't able to find any remaining 2007 180 Challengers in our area, there was a 205 Utopia, Wake Speedster and 200 Speedster. The 180 Challenger is one of the best selling boats for SeaDoo so I believe they are harder to come by. Our dealer had a blue SE and a tan SE, we took delivery on the blue one. He said those might be the only two he gets this year.

That change has already been made for the 2008 boats, so you should be good to go if you go with a 2008. I believe the only other change was the new digital gauges; I must say these are really nice.

I gotta check those new gauges then. But if I could save a'lil bit with an 07, guess I'll stick with the analog speedo...

[gotmdx]

Here are my finding on this. We recently just traded our 2000 Speedster for a 2008 180 Challenger SE, I have been debated the B.E.S.T. warranty myself.

We had our Speedster for about 5 years with no major issues, so it makes me think do I really need the extended warranty? Then I think well it would be my luck on this boat that we would run into problems since it is more technologically advance with the Superchanger/Intercooler etc.

Our dealer said it would cost $1378 for an additional 3 years, she said there is mark-up in this so she would give me for around 25% off so it came to around $1033. I believe I have 60 days to make a decision, after this period she said they would add another $100 for some type of fee. Right now I am going to hold off until we take the boat out a few more times and see how it runs.

Did some calls- extended warranty is $1499. You did pretty good on your deal, KEVIN!

[gotmdx]

Here are my finding on this. We recently just traded our 2000 Speedster for a 2008 180 Challenger SE, I have been debated the B.E.S.T. warranty myself.

We had our Speedster for about 5 years with no major issues, so it makes me think do I really need the extended warranty? Then I think well it would be my luck on this boat that we would run into problems since it is more technologically advance with the Superchanger/Intercooler etc.

Our dealer said it would cost $1378 for an additional 3 years, she said there is mark-up in this so she would give me for around 25% off so it came to around $1033. I believe I have 60 days to make a decision, after this period she said they would add another $100 for some type of fee. Right now I am going to hold off until we take the boat out a few more times and see how it runs.

$1033 is the best price. My dealer won't budge with the price of $1499. Maybe because they did not make much on the sale of my boat? Hey Kevin, please ask your rep if she could sell it to other new owners at the same discount.
I wonder if third party company offers extended warranty....

[Kevin Leclair]

$1033 is the best price. My dealer won't budge with the price of $1499. Maybe because they did not make much on the sale of my boat? Hey Kevin, please ask your rep if she could sell it to other new owners at the same discount.
I wonder if third party company offers extended warranty....

Give her a call and let her know that I referred you, her name is Sherri. She might not be able to do much on the price since you didn't buy the boat from their dealer but anything is worth a shot. See if she can at least do better than your dealer's price. It is JOA Marine, 770-945-0612.

[keviseeb]

1) At the risk of one upsmanship we sell the 3 year extended warranty for the 180 Challenger for $999 regular price. We have yet to find a third party warranty that is acceptable. Keep in mind that Sea Doo has to reimburse dealers for warranty work, there are no third party agreements that Sea Doo accepts that we have heard of. 2) The 2007 180 had a digital gauge, the 2008 has a much better housing that makes it much easier to read the gauge in direct sunlight. Other notable changes to the 2008 180 is the center seat grab handles and redesigned bilge area that makes the bilge pump evacuate the bilge better. 3) With respect to extended warranty it is advisable to purchase it if you plan to sell the boat within 4 years, extended warranty helps a boat sell faster and for more money, usually about $1,000 more. The dealer is correct, if a warranty is purchased beyond 60 days of the original boat sale date then there is a $100 surcharge to the dealer.

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine

[keviseeb]

I forgot to address one issue...."I am concerned about the sc "washer" breaking. Did you negotiate it be replaced before delivery of the boat?". The 2008 and 2007 supercharger are the same, there are no superior washers to be replaced that are available from Seadoo.

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine

[Kevin Leclair]

1) At the risk of one upsmanship we sell the 3 year extended warranty for the 180 Challenger for $999 regular price. We have yet to find a third party warranty that is acceptable. Keep in mind that Sea Doo has to reimburse dealers for warranty work, there are no third party agreements that Sea Doo accepts that we have heard of.

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine

Kevin,

I think this will the next question, can we buy the warranty from you or does it have to be from our dealer?

[gotmdx]

Kevin,

I think this will the next question, can we buy the warranty from you or does it have to be from our dealer?

I'd still try to get a few qoutes from SoCal dealers but if Kevin's price is the lowest...I'll be your 2nd extnd warranty buyer!

[Kevin Leclair]

Kevin,

Are we able to buy this warranty through you or do we have to go through our local dealer?

[keviseeb]

We can sell the warranty to you from here, no problem. There is no published requirement for us to inspect the boat. It must still be under factory warranty or B.E.S.T. warranty currently. We will handle the registration through BossWeb and send you a copy showing the amount of time for the remaining warranty. Keep in mind that you can only have a total of 4 years, 1 original and three extended. If you purchased your new boat more than 60 days ago there is a $100.00 surcharge from Seadoo to the dealer. In the case of a single engine 150 Speedster or 180 Challenger the price is $999 plus .2% local tax. The only exception is for Florida residents, the mandatory retail price is $1,289.00 for 3 additional years. ALL dealers must sell at that price if the boat is registered in Florida. We will send the contract to you for signature however we will register the warranty immediately upon payment. Any dealer who looks up your remaining warranty will not be able to tell where it was purchased. For more information our toll free number is 1-800-348-5735.

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine

[eoc1212]

I double Kevin's theory about resale value... obviously he is the expert... but just to share... when shopping around for my recently purchased 2006 Challenger SE, the fact that the seller had an extended warranty was my deciding factor to buy his boat as opposed to others. I read his contract closely and made sure it was transferable 1st... and when I saw this it was, the decision was easy.

So I say definitely buy the warranty as insurance, peace of mind... plus also for the resale benefits. Seems like boat owners like upgrading often ... and that is a big plus for potential buyers!

Edwin

[keviseeb]

I double Kevin's theory about resale value... obviously he is the expert... but just to share... when shopping around for my recently purchased 2006 Challenger SE, the fact that the seller had an extended warranty was my deciding factor to buy his boat as opposed to others. I read his contract closely and made sure it was transferable 1st... and when I saw this it was, the decision was easy.

So I say definitely buy the warranty as insurance, peace of mind... plus also for the resale benefits. Seems like boat owners like upgrading often ... and that is a big plus for potential buyers!

Edwin

At the risk of being too commercial here we have a link up on our website with extended warranty pricing for the entire US excluding Florida. Although we prefer you get it from us you might be able to use the pricing schedule to "help" negotiate a better price with your dealer. Don't forget that you are going to pay local sales tax to your dealer which we would not charge.

Kevin Seeber
Kingsland Marine