What is a good deal on a 210?

[scramison]

So I have been looking at 210s and found 2 deals. One is a 2004 210 TE with a ZR6 motor and 500ish hrs. This would be on the higher side of my budget at $30k. The other option I have is a 2000 210 with 700 hrs and bad shape vinyl. This is a much cheaper boat at $18k. I realize most people wouldn't look at boats in such different price ranges but these are the only two I found that are worth what they want for them. I really like the 2000 because it has the GT-40 motor and I have read a lot of good things about it on here. What do you think the fuel consumption difference would be between the 2 motors? I figure a 390 hp motor Vs a 310 hp motor must consume more gas?

Also the gauges on the 2000 are not working. What does it cost to replace them with working analog gauges?

I read some 2000 210s had wiring issues has anyone ran into this problem? I would imagine any wiring issues would be hard to hide or probably already worked out on a 2000?

Im also interested in knowing what was changed from 2000 to 2004 to know whether the price jump is worth it. I heard the gunnels are smaller on the 04 making more storage? What else?

[bchesley]

RE: What is a good deal on a 210?

The floor is lower on the 04 and it has a belly tank. Dont let the horse power fool you. The gt-40 is under rated in my opinion because it has so much torque. The guages are pretty easy as they have a kit to replace it from a dealer. Personally I don't like the 04 tower enough that I would never buy one. So the choice would be easy for me. Second I love working on them so one with issues is right up my alley. How handy are you?

[GoBig]

RE: What is a good deal on a 210?

Regarding the 2000 210 --- Generally, the condition of the interior and overall shape of the boat says a lot about how well the engine has been maintained. I wouldn't fret too much about the gauges not working. You would be hard pressed to find a 2000-2002 with the original gauges that were still functional. Those digital gauges were very problematic and need to be replaced. Comparative to some of the other problems this boat may have based on your description, the gauges are a small issue. You are looking at about $2900 to $3200 for new upholstery + approx. $1,500 to install. Check out www.nautiqueskins.com for more info on new skins. I would personally prefer the GT40 over the ZR6. The GT40 is more than capable. However, I would be wary of a 700 hour poorly maintained boat. Engine repair, upholstery replacement, and misc. fixer-upper costs could easily put your price tag close to the 2004.

Regarding the 2004 210 --- I agree with bchelsey, the 2004 tower is not my favorite. That was the only year that the FCT had the round front frame and obscures vision. But for $30K, if the boat is in good shape, that would likely be my pick based on the info you provided. The 2004 will have quite a bit more interior space with the thinner gunwales. The dash is much nicer. The back deck is 3-piece with two side trucks vs. 1 solid lid on the 2000. There were a number of other improvements between 2000 and 2004 but the hull is identical.

Bottomline --- it is difficult to make a recommendation without seeing the boats or having additional info like hours, options, and accy's. But if you like a project and can do a lot of the work yourself, $18K could be a great buy for a 2000. If you're not very familiar with boats or maintenance I would lean toward the 2004. If you could post pics, links, or additional info, that would help. I looked at used 2000 to 2004 SANTEs for close to 8 months before I found the right boat at the right price (2003 SANTE 210). Feel free to PM me if you'd like some more help/info.

Good luck!

[AuMDLST]

RE: What is a good deal on a 210?

Not sure where you are located but have you looked at orlandonautiques.com

[scramison]

RE: What is a good deal on a 210?

Where is the tank on the 2000? By belly tank you mean in the middle of the hull?

Im pretty handy, I work on my CBR1000 all the time. Good to know about the tower.

Most of the things that are bad about the 2000 like the one piece hatch. Are not as important to me as the engine. If you dont mind me asking what did you pay for your 03 and when did you buy it? I have been shopping for about a month but mainly X-2s. I recently decided to go for the real thing and here I am.

I did look at orlandonautiques.com there are some good deal on there.

[gride300]

RE: What is a good deal on a 210?

i would choose an 03. it has the 3 ballast with guages, i believe faria gauges, and would be the same boat up to an 05. the only 210 i've ever seen, and i've ridden alot, that had the big engine was one of their rider's boats and honestly if you prop it right it's not needed, but its about 1500$ extra

[scramison]

RE: What is a good deal on a 210?

Im leaning more towards the 2000 to 2002s because they had the GT-40 engine. I want to be ready just in case gas prices are high during the spring.

It would be nice to have the ballasts with guages though. Also the upgraded interior. Choices choices. Anyone that finds some good deals send them my way.

[gride300]

RE: What is a good deal on a 210?

i had a mastercraft x2 and it did not have guages. they were full when you heard it overflow and empty when it stopped draining. it wasn't bad at all. i also had a good friend with a 2001 with the rear ballast and he just put a long bag in the locker and it probably had the nicest wake of any 210 ever. if you are really adamint about flip switch filling you can def. plumb a sac into the front locker no problem for not much $ at all. gas will be expensive once it gets warm again, but hopefully not 24$ for 5 gallons

[scramison]

RE: What is a good deal on a 210?

How does the ballast on that 2001 work? I heard you have to open some valve or something?

[GoBig]

RE: What is a good deal on a 210?

I picked up my 210 this Fall. After looking at about 20 different used 2000-2004 SANs since last March and demoing several of them, I decided to go with the '03 for several reasons:
1) Price -- like gride300 said, it is virtually the same boat as the '04/'05 models but for considerably less money.
2) First year with updated dash, new interior, great looking analog gauges with chrome accents, and first year of the fiberglass swim platform (I prefer the look of the teak platform but don't want to deal with the upkeep to keep it looking cherry).
3) By 2003, many of the early kinks had been worked out with the ballast system, overall weight balancing was much better, and they offered the oversized wedge and belly tanks on the TE model (850 lbs out of the factory, also offered on the '02 SANTE)
4) Second generation FCT, which in my opinion is still the best design of any wakeboard tower, ever.
5) Excalibur 330 engine --- To your point about the GT40, no doubt that is a great motor. I had that in my previous '97. The GT40 is a Ford 351ci block and offers 310 horses. The EX330 is a GM 350ci block and offers 330 horses. So displacement is identical but the EX330 offers 20 more ponies. I don't think fuel consumption is much different between the two. Checkout and drive a SAN with the EX330 before you limit yourself to the GT40 only.
6) Many people believe the '03 was one of the best years of that hull design. Most improvements after 2003 were purely cosmetic until they changed the hull in 2007.
7) Overall quality/features for the price---
*2000 to 2001 models have less interior room (thicker gunwale), older interior design, and single rear hatch.
*Up through 2002 models have the digital gauge issue and older dash design.
*2004 models have the ill-designed tower
*2005 on up is just more money then my wife will let me spend!

Dollar for dollar, the 2003 SANTE is probably the best value of any used wakeboard boat you can buy. You are getting the most proven hull in the history of the sport combined with functional and aesthetic features that went mostly unchanged up through 2006.

Just my $0.02.

[gride300]

RE: What is a good deal on a 210?

so we're settled on a 2003 210team

[GoBig]

RE: What is a good deal on a 210?

Great, I was beginning to think I was being too vague.

[bchesley]

RE: What is a good deal on a 210?

Gobig, I totally agree with your breakdown of +'s and -'s. I would like to add that the 3 tank ballast system was an option in 02 so effectively you can have your cake and eat it too. A 02 with gt-40, 3 piece deck, and 3-tank ballast system would also be the best year/optioned boat in my opinion. Colored decks were also available in 02-03 too if you like that.

[Socbum]

My '02 SAN has the port/starboard wedge tanks with gauges but not the belly tank.

I also have the three hatch opening on the engine and rear storage.
The rear seat configuration is also different (from what I have been told) The port and starboard rear seats can be lifted individualy. When both seats are raised the center seat can be raised.

Electronic guages on the dash are starting to go out and will cost a few hundred to replace with analog. If the boat has Perfect Pass the swap is easier or could go without because the speed is on the Perfect Pass.

Are all of the options making your head spin yet

Keep asking the questions and looking for your perfect boat. It is out there, don't settle for less because of time-- It is a buyers market. Keep performing your due diligence.

[GoBig]

Agreed with bchelsey, a 2002 SANTE 210 with updated gauges is also a great year. Here is a boat to check out:

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/20...ue-TE-94174913

I'm not really a fan of the upholstery (no color accents, may not original) or the single axle trailer but otherwise, it looks like a good buy...