Thinking of buying jet ski. Need advice.

[jlcj7]

Looking at a couple different options and would love advice on price or if there is any reason to stay away from either of these model years.

Option1: 2013 Yamaha FX Cruiser HO with about 50 hours on engine. Comes with trailer for around $8000

Option 2: 2007 FX Cruiser HO with about 85 hours. No trailer so would need to buy one. Asking $4500.

I pretty much have it narrowed to FXHO model but would love advice on if price seems fair and if there is anything else to look into with these model years.

Thanks.

 

[GoVols01]

I had a friend buy a new Yamaha ski this last week. She was pressing me for a bunch of info and what I told her was to avoid supercharged engines or the Rotax engines. She ended up buying a new Yamaha 3 seater with the 1.8L engine, which is the same engine my 212X has (I have 2 though). It's a beautiful looking machine and she said it'll do 65mph!

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

After seeing how people treat their jet skis - I would have a very hard time buying one used. You could pick up a new loaded spark with trailer for about 8k. It won't do 60mph, but it will go 15 hours on 87 fuel, and maintenance is practically nothing.(oil/plugs). They make a great compliment to the boat, since the boat is the cruiser and the ski is the toy.

 

[Bananas]

If you have the 8k buy new!!!

 

[Jgorm]

If you have the 8k buy new!!!

It's 16k msrp. I'd get the 13 is you can afford it and don't want to wrench on it.

 

[elcue]

I don't think you would get anything close to a FX HO new for 8k. With your options I would say how much do you value the rough/choppy water ride in your hull? I went with the FX SVHO because that hull is great in rough chop and ocean riding which I'm in a lot. The 2013 will have the newer updated hull that I personally think is great. Its also the new nanoxel (spelling) the 2007 would have the older heavier hull. Some people like them better. Also im sure you know about the engines the old engine vs the new 1.8. I cant say what to buy because your prices are very far apart but the new FX hull is pretty great for stability and rougher conditions. For 8k dollars new is going to get you a little spark or an EX Yamaha. Total opposite of the FX.

 

[JBehrens]

After owning a variety of skis, I must say that the FX SVHO is by far the nicest ski on the water, by a lot. If you can get your hands on a Nanoexcell based FX ski then do it, they ride really nice and are night and day over the older ones, worth the extra cash as you will get more enjoyment and life out of it. One thing to watch out for on those skis is if they have been beached and have cracks in the lower gelcoat, hull. Be sure to crawl around and really inspect it as the Nanoexcell material costs 4x more to repair (when done correctly by a shop). Do all the normal stuff too, check the impeller, motor mounts, electronics, even the air filter can tell stories about how well the ski has been taken care of. The Yamaha skis are good skis to buy used (especially the FX). Good Luck!

 

[Ronnie]

I’d go with the ‘13 especially if it has the 1.812 cc engine as opposed to the 1,052 in the ‘07. I have an ‘06 fx go with the 1,052 cc mr1 and it had been a solid ski. Tops out at 58ish mph and good acceleration but the ‘13 should come in a lighter hull and most likely has a no wake mode and cruise control plus do you really want to have to buy a trailer separately.

I hear people when they say buy new but the Msrp is never what is advertised in the media or at least it is nowhere close to the outdoor price. Eg the entry level spark is suppose to be $5k, at my dealer it’s $6800 after fees but before tax, registration and a trailer. The Yamaha ex ia supposed to be 8k but my dealer is offering them for close to $10k.

The spark is ina different class altogether with a lighter hull and less comfortable seating along with a relatively under powered engine.

The fx is not tippy at all, has a nice wide seat and a 18 gallon fuel tank. It’s a ski that you can sit on all day. It would outperform the spark and expectedly so since the fx is close to the top of Yamaha’s pwc line (top in the luxury class I think) whereas the spark is the entry level pwc.

Always water test any pwc you are considering buying of at all possible. If not at least do a compression test. This is the most important advice i can give anyone thinking about buying a used pwc.

 

[DBamaC]

I think you would be very disappointed with a Spark if you've ever riden any other PWC beyond maybe a rental. They are dogs. Also, having to separate the hull to do some of the various service work is a deal breaker for me.

 

[jlcj7]

Ok. Thanks for all he advice. Leaning towards the 2013.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I buy the fx ho cruisers for the hull size and comfort but I put hundreds of hours on my skies and I like reliability. I have 2 2014 models with about 600 hours each with only the timing chain issue on one of them that was taken care of by the warranty. The down side is the nano hulls I have owned many of these and they ALL have worn through and taken on water, I fix them when needed but I do not like the nano hull materials. I also stay away from the supercharged models as I have no need for those and they do suck up some fuel. well even the 1800 engines do that without the supercharger if you ride them hard. I always say if you take a passenger you need a 3 seater to be comfortable The longer hull of the fx ho cruiser is also helpful with towing tubes and water skiers etc. They are also good for Standing on the seat or driving with your feet while towing tubes also.

 

[Adrian @ JB Solutions]

I think you would be very disappointed with a Spark if you've ever riden any other PWC beyond maybe a rental. They are dogs. Also, having to separate the hull to do some of the various service work is a deal breaker for me.

I would have to disagree. Minus the lack of getting to 60mph in 4 seconds... their lightweight stature makes them great for riding hard and doing tricks.... the trix model you can get to stand with next to no effort. Pretty sure guys can tune them up to around 130hp too.The FX feels like a boat compared to them (nearly double the weight) I've removed the hulls on them four times now, and it only takes about 10 minutes... and you have all the room in the world to work on the engine. I think it would come down to what we wants to do. Tricks, riding hard, fuel efficiency, and maintenance the Spark wins hands down... cruising, casual riding, comfort and tubing the FX is probably a better choice.

 

[spatty99]

I have a Spark and it is an absolute blast, with a couple caveats, since it is really a different class of ski. First, it is best suited for no more than about 1 adult and 1 kid (even the 3 seater). More than that and it isn't super stable. Second, the jet isn't as robust, as the plastic wear rings don't wear very well... My 10 year old Yamaha wear ring is going strong, whereas my 3 year old Spark is on the second wear ring (used under same, ideal conditions). Plus, the Seadoo electronics are a little flaky (in my experience).

 

[Neutron]

It's 16k msrp. I'd get the 13 is you can afford it and don't want to wrench on it.

+1 agree

 

[SamCF]

For sure get the FX HO.

 

[the MfM]

Look for a 96 sea doo xp. Thank me later.

 

[SamCF]

Look for a 96 sea doo xp. Thank me later.

THE most fun ski I've ever been on. I think there were several models with that hull and engine combo. SPX, XP. Ran high 50's I think.

 

[veedubtek]

I rode a Spark for about 20 minutes. That was enough to convince me I *had* to have a ski, and enough to convince me there was no way in hell it'd be a spark. I bought a brand new VXR 2 weeks later. 6 months later, traded it back in for a pair of new FX HO Cruisers. Did almost 300 miles on em a couple weekends ago (not the first time), and absolutely zero regrets. Get the '13. Or, go get a new one.

 

[Jgorm]

Look for a 96 sea doo xp. Thank me later.

I was in high school and a friend had two xp's. I think they were 92 or 94s. Had the 650. One year we rode at least 325 days. Busted off my front teeth on one. You could bunny hop them, spin out, and pull high g turns. If you step in the side you flip it over! Way different than the 800lb boats they call skis now.

 

[the MfM]

THE most fun ski I've ever been on. I think there were several models with that hull and engine combo. SPX, XP. Ran high 50's I think.

It’s been a while since I had skis but I always regretted selling my 96 xp... I think at the time the XP was always the latest greatest and the SPX was the last years XP re badged. So a 97 SPX was basically the same as 96 XP etc.

I was in high school and a friend had two xp's. I think they were 92 or 94s. Had the 650. One year we rode at least 325 days. Busted off my front teeth on one. You could bunny hop them, spin out, and pull high g turns. If you step in the side you flip it over! Way different than the 800lb boats they call skis now.

I never got the floating couch concept. Things went downhill starting with the GSX and 951 engine.