2 cents needed on buying a Malibu!!!

I tested out an 04 Malibu lsv and now I gotta have one. I can not decide on a 23lsv or the shorter vlx. The boats I am looking at are 2004 and 2005 The vlx is around 40 grand and the lsv's are between 45-50 grand. Good price? Would it be better to spend more money and get a newer Malibu? I am also in love with the Illusion tower, should I not be or is that a good call? The one I am leaning to is an 04 lsv with 100 hours for 44,900 without a trailer...anyone got a trailer? Gimme any and all 2 cents!!!!!
Thanks in advance

ehhh would be a good price with a trailer but you could do betteror have em knock 4k off the price. Love our VLX better wakeboard wake stock and even when adding weight the LSV takes a lot more to sink. Surf wake VLX is ok... LSV no clue haven't surfed it but it looks good in pics
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i would go with an 05 vlx. cant go wrong with that boat for sure

Both are great boats.

I have riden behind both. The VLX is much easier to sink and has a spectacular stock wake (with the optional front ballast tank). I even prefer the stock VLX wake without the wedge.

The LSV is also great, but requires more weight.

I have also surfed behind both and they can make great surf wakes, but again, the LSV requires more weight.

If you don't need the additional size or interior space, I would recommend the VLX. The VLX is, after all, Malibu's premier wakeboarding boat....

As for price... the other members here could probably help you out on that...

All what they said above, but the 05 VLX is a nice upgrade over the 04 hull (but the 04 is also a great boat). I would personally look for maybe an 05 VLX as opposed to an LSV. If you really check around, you can find one with a trailer for the price you are looking at, although it may require a bit more of a drive. I can not be any happier with my 05 VLX. We wakeboard and surf all the time. Over 600 hours on my baby in about 2.5 years, and not a single complaint. A friend picked up an 05 VLX last year for I believe, in the $45 range, with pretty low hours, and a trailer. They are out there.

Best of luck!

Here's a really nice and loaded '05 VLX for $46,500

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/478223643.html

Nice deal. Eric, I know it is not in your area, but you should be able to find similar deals in or near your area. Nice upgrade from an 04.

how is the surf wake on the 05 and newer VLX? both sides...anyone have good experience with this?

BOYS. just picked up a 05 VLX. I have ridden TONS of boats from 05 xstar, 06 x2, supra launch 22ssv and the LSV. The vlx throws the best wake i think. Absolutly perfect. Surfing wake is decent just get alot of people to sit on the size that the rider is on and its beauty. Malibu has crazy locker space because the ballast bags are underneath. The LSV dosent have as great of handeling i found. Maybe a bigger lake boat it can handle the extreme chop. YOu can never go wrong with a VLX or LSV. Oh i picked up my lsv 120 hours loaded for $42,000. Just got to be patient and find the right seller. good luck dude!!!!!

I just purchased an 04 23LSV Wakesetter for $40,700 with trailor. It has the Swoop tower, snap on cover, full ballast, tower speakers, etc, with 170hrs. The 04< 23LSV's have the new style hull (V25 Wake), so it's basically like an 05 VLX, just 18'' longer, and a couple inches wider, and the rear ballast isn't hidden. I was really happy with the stock wake, but I think once I put in another 1000lbs of ballast it's gonna be amazing. If you sit in both the O4 23LSV and the 05 VLX, there is a pretty noticable difference in interior space, which is why I went with the 23LSV. You can squish 6+ buddies in the VLX, but put the same amount in the LSV is gonna feel a whole lot roomier. Both are great boats. See what you can get the best deal on. Now is the time to buy.

.....sweet boat cale....lets see some interior pics ....I guess you bought that in the states too!?

I just sold my 05 VLX for 38k with 250 hours on it. You can find them under 40k for sure.

eric, what about this 06 that is located right by you

it is listed in the for sale

Eric, I have a super nice 07 23 LSV with less than 23 hours on it you can by for 55k

How are you going to store the boat, that plays a huge factor. The VLX can actually fit in a regular garage if you get creative, the LSV needs a huge garage to fit. I would say if you have more than 6 people even sometimes go with the VLX 05+, if you have >6 peeps often go with the LSV 04+. I've had 11 in my VLX which isn't that big a deal if you don't do it very often but it is crowded. You're gonna love either one.

Look at an 06, 07 or even 08 Malibu VRide. It is the same hull as the '04 wakesetter and is overall fantastic. Illusion tower, plus all new and all options for less than $50k. If you go 06 you may be able to get down to your price range. Plus then you have solid warranty backing you. Here is a pic of my 2007 and i think my profile has the interior.

Great info...thanks to everyone...I want to stay between 40-45 and with the info given it looks like I can find what I want if I am patient and keep looking...rye bolts I would love to find an lsv just like the one you bought for that price...keep the info coming I really appreciate it..also if you know of any boats pleae let me know about them...thanks again

I don't own a malibu but I would say go with trents 07 for 55k. My friend is a malibu rep and his 23lsv is bad azz you can stack 10 or more people in it plus ballast and wedge and it is insane. My last super air was 21 feet and my new one is the 236 I will never buy smaller than 23 feet again. The room in the 23 is awesome

i cant believe you cant get 55 for that thing trent. dude thats your boat, you cant beat that price.

I know isn't that thing sweet. Great price and a great boat. The only thing I can think of is the color might throw people off a bit, I like it but alot of people like the darker colors on the malibu boats, blue, black, red, etc.. All the ones I see around my area are blues, blacks, and reds. Good luck selling that thing, can't believe I even have to say that it should have been gone already.

Dude, it looks like you are getting married soon. You don't want a Malibu, it will ruin your marriage.

buy the one on here some guy is selling for 55k.... then say i sent you so he gives me $1000
http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/3183/519836.html?1195147628

I talked to the dealer in TriCities (WA) about an all Vapor Blue VLX he sold a while back. He ordered the boat in Vapor Blue & black specifically, had it on the showroom floor for almost a full year. End of the summer, for some on water event he decided to put the boat on the water. Sold it the first day. And then had like 20 phones calls asking if he was the one who sold that awesome blue boat someone just saw on the water. Some colors just look blah on the trailer & awesome on the water. Maybe this is one of those colors.
Good luck selling it. Looks like a sweet setup at a descent price.

Thanks for the comments. I think you have to see the boat in person to really see the true color of it. On the water it is the most beautiful boat. I know I am bias since this is the second Vabor Blue Malibu I have owned but I am telling you it really pops on the water. The local dealer here hardly sold any Vabor Blue boats(and they are a large dealer), since I bought my first one in 05 and hangout at all the local lakes they have sold a lot that color. Once you see it in the water in the sun, you wouldn't buy any other color if you like blue. Anyways thanks for all the nice comments, I am kinda surprised I still have it myself.

Guess it's not a bad boat to be stuck with

Old boat but kinda gives an idea of the color on the water. Still doesn't do it justice though

Thanks for the info....It was really appreciated! I think I am going to wait to find an 04-05 23lsv for around 43k-47k...so if you know of any please let me know...Thanks

I have a Loaded 05 lsv with under 100 hrs on it. It has a huge sound system. look at www.buxtonmarine.com under the used boats. I could deliver it up to you also.

http://www.buxtonmarine.com/boats/aq-show.php?listid=119290116139248&p=10&s=price%20DES C&page=1

Shawn

(Message edited by Superair on November 20, 2007)

Eric, I've owned the 04' VLX and ridden the 23 footer a bunch. I really prefer the VLX for several reasons.
1- It uses about 20% less gas.
2- It doesn't require as much weight to get big.
3- It not as big (towing).

I think 40 is a bit too high for the VLX unless it is really, really loaded with options. I just sold my 04 (granted I didn't want to keep it over the winter so I let it go) for 40 and it had every option you can think of plus an alarm, extra racks, a 10k stereo, and an awesome warranty that's good for 2+ more years. It was in perfect, mint condition.

The deals are out there and now is the best time to buy. I would look on Craigslist in various cities (southern).

"The one I am leaning to is an 04 lsv with 100 hours for 44,900"

100 hours in four seasons. What's wrong with the boat? That's only 25 hours per season. Maybe it's OK, but I'd sure check it out first. Lots of lay up time for the cyllinders to rust etc. Buy a boat that has been used and well taken care of.

BTW- 2004 LSV is an awesome boat. We had ours for 3 seasons and loved it. We now have an'07 VLX and we love it too. You can't go wrong with either hull.

(Message edited by deltawake on December 02, 2007)

how many people do you ride with? If you have a ton of people in the boat, then I'd go with the bigger one, but the VLX is pretty darn roomy!

I think I found an LSV that I want but the problem is I have yet to sale my boat....SO, my boat has to sale and I will give someone a hell of a deal...30k and my boat is yours...the link to the listing is below...someone buy it and get a hell of a deal so I can get a new boat!!!!!!!!!!!!!



http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/8/497742.html?1196719235

eric, that's not a wedge on your boat, but otherwise it looks good

My bad, it is a wakeplate not a wedge...just an oversight..been looking at too many Malibus lately...lol

Thanks to everyone that gave me advice on my search...I waited and finally found a boat I think is a great deal. It is a loaded 2007 Wakesetter 23lsv for 47,000. Seems like a very good price like something is wrong with it but it has 3 years and 400 hour full warranty. I put a deposit down yesterday and now I have to sale my boat. It is listed on ebay and if interested it will be sold for a great price.

wow......congrats eric.....super nice price!....any pics?

That is a rediculous price. Trent's that is pictured above is a great price. Make sure and post some pics when you get it

lsv or vlx? VLX, that is a great deal. LSV that is big time steal.

It is a lsv....It looks amazing but I have to sell my boat...it is on ebay and will go for a crazy low price...pics to come if everything works out!!!!

My boat is currently on e-bay with a buy it now price of 28,500....That is 5k less than nada value...

The price has been lowered all the way to 28,500 and that includes all the stereo..More than 4k worth for free!!!!!!!!!!!