buying an R12x/F12x

slug420 · 03-03-2010, 11:53 AM

I am looking to buy a pair of hondas and had a few general questions...

Living in new england, it is definitely off-season right now for PWCs. Should I expect to get a better deal (used or new) if I bought a ski right now do you think? Would it be a significantly better deal or do the PWCs tend to hold their value year round? Do you think I wll see a lot more for sale come may/june? I am currently looking for a used one and the pickins seems to be pretty slim. I am not sure if that is because PWCs are not as popular in this region as in others (like the south where the water is warmer), or because no one is selling in the offseason, or maybe just because hondas are less common than other brands....and so I am not sure if I should jump on a pretty good deal if I see one one now, or only jump on a perfect deal since I have a few months before I can ride it anyway.

I have read through the forums quite a bit and I know that as long as you have been diligent with oil changes, flushing after saltwater use, and spraying like crazy with CRC656...your ski should last you "forever". That being said, having heard what some people say on the forums here about their ski's when they are expressing that they have a lot of hours on them, and having seen what is available in the used market....I have come to think that the year doesn't matter when buying a ski (as long as it is and 04-07 since the 02-03 were different in some way) its just the hours that matter.

...so my gauge for hours has become...less than 50 is low hours and really good, maybe spend a little extra for that ski, around 50 hours is good but average, 100 hours doesn't mean the ski is about to die or has problems, but this is a significant number of hours and you might want to pay a little less if the ski has 100+ hours. Does this sound fair/reasonable to you?

That being said, I have been leaning toward an '05 just because (even though I said it didnt matter) its a year newer than an '04 would be...and because I really like the looks of the red or blue '05s with the black hulls, but I saw a local '04 on CL recently that only has 15 hours on it. I am kind of torn because my thought process says, year doesnt matter, hours does...and this one despite being 6 years old, is virtually brand new.

Do you think there are any additional concerns with the combination of being THAT old and having THAT few hours? I know people buy 2 yr old leftovers all the time, but what if this sat for 3 years, then was used one summer and then sat for 3 more? I dont know what problems that would cause but it sounds worrisome....should it?

finally I have not ridden either the R12x or the F12x (only been on a ski a few times before...rentals...) and dont anticipate (both because im hoping to buy now to get a deal and because im looking to buy used) being able to test ride before I purchase. I dont like how massive the 3 seaters look and am pretty sure I am going to love the nimbleness and jumping ability of the R (I still love the little yamaha wolverine 350 I bought when all my friends bought sportsman 500s) but at the same time I am thinking there will be times where the extra space (both for riders and gear) on the F will be preferable so I am thinking a mixed pair would be my best bet (one R12x and one F12x).

What have your experiences been with making your own pairs as opposed to buying them? Knowing that it might be difficult to find an R12x and an F12x for a good deal, together, both in good condition with low hours etc etc....should I just buy singles where I see them and then sell the single trailers and get a double? Is it difficult to get rid of single trailers since most people get them when they buy their ski's? Is there any chance of paying for a double what I get for selling my 2 singles or is it going to cost me more?

thanks for your advice (and for reading all this!)

h20rocket · 03-03-2010, 12:49 PM

well if you want to wait till spring time, me and a few friends have honda's you could try, we live one hour north of Boston

I'm sure you'll see a bunch more for sale in the spring once it starts getting warmer out, also check out ebay, there's some really good deals on there, like this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2004-...71564775QQcmdZ

slug420 · 03-03-2010, 01:16 PM

thanks for the offer, is that an '04 R12x you have?

h20rocket · 03-03-2010, 02:40 PM

its not mine, just thought I'd show you the link, looks like a good deal

slug420 · 03-03-2010, 04:10 PM

What do you think about a 2004 with 15 hrs for 5000-5500? (With trailer)

h20rocket · 03-03-2010, 04:27 PM

I don't think you'll find a better deal than that, sounds kinda fishy to me, only 15 hours ? 6 years old

slug420 · 03-03-2010, 06:50 PM

yea, could be. I e-mailed the seller, we will see if I hear back.

TKTPLZ · 03-03-2010, 10:01 PM

I have a 2006 F12X and a 2005 that looks like a 2007 R12X. I had a 1993 SPX Sea-Poo that a friend of mine bought from me while I had the F12X, both skis on one double trailer. I was going to buy a single trailer but when I went down to my local Honda dealer to buy it he made me an offer on his last 2005 in September of 2008 I couldn't refuse. It was $5876.00 or so out the doorAll I remember was he was selling the 2005 R12's for 5005.00 plus tax, set up etc. during the summer and out the door for a turbo R12X for less than that.....I was going to spend 700.00 for a single trailer but he talked me out of almost 6 grand. I'm happy, don't get me wrong. The 2006 F12X I bought was a deal too. I wanted Blue, he said sure. I came back the next day with a certified check for the 7295.00 plus tax, prep, $1,200.00 for the double trailer, forget the total but he said I have no more Blue F12X's. So he give me a F12X GPScape, in Blue, for the same price. I've found my Honda dealer to be nice folks. They invite me to the yearly customer parties for free grub , prizes and to meet other folks.
I like having the choice of 2 different skis to ride, just whatever my mood is I have 1 for it. If I had to choose just 1 tho I'd have to go for the F12X. it does it all where the R12X is more specialized.

slug420 · 03-03-2010, 10:10 PM

http://nh.craigslist.org/rvs/1622262578.html
nice price....not sure about 160 hours though....

http://westernmass.craigslist.org/boa/1624223272.html
100 hours...nice price though

I am thinking I should wait for something with ~50 hours or less...

h20rocket · 03-04-2010, 10:15 AM

don't let the hours on a honda discourage you, I've got over 400 hours on mine and it runs just like the day I bought it

I think looking at a honda you can tell if it was taken care of or not, just keep it covered when not using, spray it down with a rust preventer after using, flushing after using in salt water, and I change my oil between 25 and 50 hours...and you should have many, many years of your honda to enjoy

I made this video last year, as you can see it goes just like a brand new one

http://vimeo.com/3118776