Members torontoboater Posted February 24, 2014 Members Share Posted February 24, 2014 I am looking at buying a 2000 Malibu Sunsetter LXI, 250 hours, with the 310HP Vortec (carb) engine. No trailer, No bimini. It does include perfect pass and is in good condition. Apparently there was a small crack in the lower engine block which was repaired with JB Weld and no issues since. Otherwise in good condition. Oil and impellers changed every year. What are your thoughts on: 1. purchase price? 2. whether any issues with the carb engine (I would otherwise prefer an EFI) 3. any particular maintenance or problems I need to find out about? Thanks a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jhughes Posted February 24, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 24, 2014 Other than hard cold starts the carb engine will be fine. Pretty straightforward to fix and maintain which is a bonus for some, though the EFI mills today are pretty bulletproof anyway. As for particular problems, check for HDS leaks. This is the large box that surrounds the prop shaft, fills with water, and is prone to leakage on this era of 'Bu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members andjules Posted February 24, 2014 Members Share Posted February 24, 2014 Hey @torontoboater - I also recently bought a 2000 Sunsetter LXI (and I'm also from Toronto, although I bought the LXI in Florida). Prices range on that boat quite a bit, depending on condition and location. Toronto/Muskoka area is a region that tends to be more expensive, but on the other hand, no trailer and cracked/patched engine block should result in a steep discount in my books. There was a guy in Brantford who couldn't move his for $19,000 and it was EFI, had a trailer, wedge and tower. On the other hand, he had no idea what he had, or how to write an ad, or how to negotiate, so those things may have more to do with why it didn't sell. Tower? Wedge? MLS? What's the interior condition out of 10? With a patched block & no trailer, if you're heading north of $15k12,500*, I'd say you should start to be very wary (and in some different areas of the USA, that number would/should be much lower). @jhughes is right to draw your attention to the HDS. While I don't believe it was an overly common problem, it was an expensive one for those who had trouble. p.s. as you probably know, it's a killer hull, and a great crossover/family boat. *yeah, an engine block crack makes me nervous long term, and the eventual solution is putting a new block in an aging boat (at least $4-7k after labour) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Dacon62 Posted February 24, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 24, 2014 Crack and block in the same sentence would have me moving on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members andjules Posted February 24, 2014 Members Share Posted February 24, 2014 @torontoboater did you notice this ad? http://bit.ly/1fnEjDQ I had a look at it, and it's a pretty solid boat - looks like it was pretty well taken care of until the last year or two. I think he's been trying to sell it for two years now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HPskier1 Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 cracked block = deep discount and it looks like it needs some cleaning overall. Less than 12k. Otherwise don't be afraid of the carb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller RichardDoane Posted February 25, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 25, 2014 cracked block = dead engine IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Wish Posted February 25, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 25, 2014 wait... a cracked block fixed with goo that comes in a tube.. ?.. damn that must be some good stuff... would not be good enough for me though.. I'd be walkn away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pumpinpete Posted February 25, 2014 Share Posted February 25, 2014 Cracked block I would walk away Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ozski Posted February 25, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 25, 2014 After owning two EFi boats I would never ever go back to a carb - Pass - Crack in block - Pass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MISkier Posted February 25, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 25, 2014 I didn't think any of the boat manufacturers sold a carbureted version in 2000. That makes me wonder if it is even the original engine. Did Malibu actually offer non-EFI in 2000? The only way I would buy a boat with a cracked block is if it were cheap enough to replace the engine with a ZO-compatible new engine and still be $1000 below market value after doing so. The worst slalom equipment I own is between my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Lieutenant Dan Posted February 25, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 25, 2014 @MISkier yes, carb'ed 310 HP engine was standard....325 Monsoon was the upgrade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members andjules Posted February 25, 2014 Members Share Posted February 25, 2014 I had a carb'd 2002 Sportster before I got my EFI Sunsetter LXi. No question that EFI is awesome, but it's a luxury, in the sense that i) there's nothing wrong with carb'd, ii) I'd much rather have a carb problem than an EFI problem, in terms of repair$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MattP Posted February 25, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 25, 2014 Cracked block is a red flag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller chris_logan Posted February 25, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 25, 2014 Depending on your budget, you could play the cracked block into your favor, using it to drive the price down further and plan for a repower with ZO. At least that's the angle I would take at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members torontoboater Posted February 25, 2014 Author Members Share Posted February 25, 2014 Thanks to all for the replies and the helpful information. I am a newbie so I value the input and feedback. I will walk away from this one and keep looking. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jhughes Posted February 25, 2014 Baller Share Posted February 25, 2014 If the crack in the block is just a water jacket crack it's not the end of the world, guys, and can be sealed. Also, replacing a short block on one of these, or the entire engine for that matter is not that big of a deal and can be done cheaply particularly with a used pull-out. Keep in mind replacing an interior is going to cost as much, if not more, than the engine so I'd personally put interior condition at the same importance as engine condition. We're not talking about an outboard power head here. If the boat is otherwise in great shape I wouldn't hesitate to lowball it and walk away with a great deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members torontoboater Posted February 25, 2014 Author Members Share Posted February 25, 2014 Thanks - but I know the seller and don't want to lowball him and in any event I wouldn't be comfortable taking on this unknown (when/if the block will fail). I'll keep looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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