dustin, between those two.. i would go with an MB F21, it is better and has faster ballast
j/k. I just had to beat all the paid MB trolls to the punch.
I would go with the Vride. It has the v25 hull (vlx 05-08) which is an excellent hull and is basically like you would be getting a brand new 2008 VLX. Pros are that it has the basic electronics, switches and dash. It has potential for a killer wake, handles excellent and is a lot cheaper. From limited experience with 09+ vlx's, they may handle chop better, but nothing that I noticed. The wakes are the same to me except that it seems the 09+ needs a little bit more weight to get similar size. The really good riders can probably tell the difference in wakes though.
The new VLX's are so nice, so plush, look so sick, and the seat in the back transom is cool.
The Vride has glued in carpet... which I love, compared to the new VLX where you have snap in carpet (I think you can get it either way, snap in over fiberglass or glued on carpet over their modular floor) Anyhow, it is nice having snap out carpet to allow drying and easy cleaning, however the glued carpet floor and seat bases of the vride really makes for a quieter ride, less engine noise... it is noticeable. If you get the vride, definitely option for the carpet saver that goes over the floor. This will absorb most of the water that people bring into your boat and you can pull it out to dry it, it also helps decrease engine noise even more AND feels good on your feet.
Problem with the vride is that you apparently cannot have a front hard ballast tank. I do not see why this can't be done at the factory though. I was told it couldnt, but maybe my dealer did not know. If you buy off the lot, then it will not have bow ballast.
I would do what Polarbill says... NO wedge, 750's piggybacked in the lockers, T off the middle ballast through hull and put two fill pumps, one for the center tank and one for the sacks in the bow that you will need to install. Throw another 400-500 of lead under the bow filler cushion all hidden, throw another 200 or so in the cabin under seats. You will then have a wake that everyone will want to ride.
For the price, I would suggest looking at 2 more boats, the A22 and the MB21.
The MB's are very nice, but coming from a wake setter, you will not like the wake as much as the VLX, Vride or A22.
I see you already checked out the A22, but you are looking at 2012's. For the same price as a Vride, you should be able to get a 2013 A22. It has been reported that the vinyl is a lot better in the 2013's, I would venture to guess it is similar to the 2012 vrides.