Help with new boat!

[adn21uk]

I've been in the market for a used direct drive or vdrive for some time now. My family has always owned boats, either I/O's or pontoons, but this will be the first purchase on my own. I found a 1998 Sunsetter VLX that I would like to view in person on my next day off. Should I be wary of any issues with this model/year? It's being sold by a dealer (not Malibu) in Michigan. They offer full mechanical service, but would you trust a non Malibu dealer to do a comprehensive inspection and authorize a clean bill of health? Any advice would be much appreciated! New to the site and can't believe how much info there is here! http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1998-MAL...-Drive-95229607

[WakingMeHappy]

As with any dealer (Bu or non-Bu) it’s their reputation that matters. Just because a Moomba or Centurion dealer is selling a Malibu doesn’t mean my trust level changes at all. It’s the same as a Ford dealer selling a Chevy. (Of course I’m about to get berated by Fords and Chevy lovers). As for the boat, I have a 99 Sunsetter lxi and love the boat. I have had no issues worth mentioning. The price on the one you’re looking at looks a little high but check out NADA to be sure.

And welcome to the Bu Crew!

[MalibuNation]

Looks like a nice v-drive boat with normal hours for that year. If I was in your shoes I'd try to find out anything about the dealer first ... if you are concerned, hopefully some of our Detroit area members will know about this dealer. It would be a bonus if they work on inboards and better yet Indamar engines or Mercs. Time to go to work so I don't have time to see what boats they sell.

If the boat and dealer check out I'd go for it.

You didn't mention where you're located but there's a great Bu dealer outside of Detroit:

Skier's Pier

[Slayer]

I've been in the market for a used direct drive or vdrive for some time now. My family has always owned boats, either I/O's or pontoons, but this will be the first purchase on my own. I found a 1998 Sunsetter VLX that I would like to view in person on my next day off. Should I be wary of any issues with this model/year? It's being sold by a dealer (not Malibu) in Michigan. They offer full mechanical service, but would you trust a non Malibu dealer to do a comprehensive inspection and authorize a clean bill of health? Any advice would be much appreciated! New to the site and can't believe how much info there is here! http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1998-MAL...-Drive-95229607

DND has had that boat for sale for several months. They just lowered the price by nearly $3k.

[FlatH20]

nice looking boat - I'm with the others - run the NADA numbers- also - no tower=no air all about preferences good luck

[MalibuTime]

I've been in the market for a used direct drive or vdrive for some time now. My family has always owned boats, either I/O's or pontoons, but this will be the first purchase on my own. I found a 1998 Sunsetter VLX that I would like to view in person on my next day off. Should I be wary of any issues with this model/year? It's being sold by a dealer (not Malibu) in Michigan. They offer full mechanical service, but would you trust a non Malibu dealer to do a comprehensive inspection and authorize a clean bill of health? Any advice would be much appreciated! New to the site and can't believe how much info there is here! http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1998-MAL...-Drive-95229607

As others have said, it's not the brand. But experience with inboards is important. Really, if there is no warranty being offered (highly unlikely that they would spring for this insurance) then I would at least ask to see a list of what they inspected, and signed off listing that particular boat, and possibly take it or have it inspected by a 3rd party. Remember that they are not likely going to replace the impeller, plugs, wires, filters, change fluids, change belts or anything else other than clean it unless they have some sort of certified used boat program or something similar to that. So be prepared for some initial maintenance to get the boat to a know state. They will be trying to keep their cost into the boat as low as possible, and just make sure it runs and is clean.

Edited September 17, 2009 by MalibuTime

[Chia]

Nice looking boat, from the pics it looks to be well cared for. Was it traded in? can you speak to the previous owner?

15 grand for a 98 VLX sounds like a good deal to me but definitely discuss a tower in your negotiations.