Colby,
I am considering ordering a 2007 but am trying to line up a new old stock or low hour 2006 as I like the finishing on the 06's a little bit better. Either way... same mechanicals, hull and same great wake.
I currently have a 2005 23LSV and totally love the boat... as I have said in many posts... you will have to look long and hard to find a better all around boat than the 23LSV. Anyone who disagrees with that statement more than likely hasn't spent any real amount of time in, behind or around a 23LSV.
IMO the 8.1L isn't required in the vast majority of cases and will make it harder to sell or trade in down the road. There is a very low % of people that get the 8.1L in a new boat (cost, maintenance, gas); therefore, an even lower % of people will want it in a used boat as there is usually a cost driver to go used.
Only with 3 full ballast tanks, wedge down, and 8 people in the boat did my Hammer Head (400HP) struggle. In that case we just pulled up the wedge and filled the bow ballast tank and life was good again. Any way you slice it... it was a BIG silly wake with great shape, kick and transition. The 23LSV wake is almost impossible to screw up as far as weight placement.
Look at torque curves for the various motor options (340, 400, 450HP). Its more about low end torque than high end HP.
Other than that... order the 23LSV already