Get the 05 for 17,500 with the 2014 trailer, warranty, reputable seller and be done with it. Of course, I'd grab the one in SC IF it has the HO motors and I could get it for 21, but I don't think it does have the HO motors. You don't need the tower. At all. I thought I would need one when I bought my 08 SX230. I was looking for either an AR or an SX. The AR's were scarcer and cost alot more. The SX deal came up and I snatched it up. Have not regretted not having a tower. The blue one at Bayside hit the dock bad, which is why it needed repainted. Owned by a geezer who couldn't drive, apparently. That's why it is low hours and why it was re-painted. The painter said he just painted them both for re-sale. This was just an innocuous statement brought up by some guy I was speaking to, who was admiring and photographing another boat which looked gorgeous. I asked him if he was picking it up. He said nope, I am just taking photos for myself. You won't catch me on a jet boat, but I did paint it. (I thought he was a customer picking up his boat and found out he was their painter). I asked him about the a paint job he was admiring, and he got all technical on me and said it would never fade, blah blah blah. I asked him how much it cost to paint it and he said they retailed the paint job at 2000. He then said he also painted the blue one and the black one which are up for sale.
Go offer 17 and see what occurs. Ask
@mark_m what the asking price was for his, and what he paid. I forgot. Then you will know your wiggle room. They will wiggle. Then don't look back. They won't sell you garbage. If you want to take it out for a ride the week of the 12th let's go. I'm sure they will let us take it for a spin.
As for the carpet, don't sweat it. I never put mine in nor have I added any after market stuff. The surface has yet to get too hot to stand on, even in July.