V-Ride vs. any other boat in price range

callen · Newbie Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 40 City: Lowell

Have an 02 sportster lx, looking at getting into something where taking 8 people isn't so crowded. What do you all think of the Malibu V-ride and what other options are out there for that price?

Nor*Cal · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 9479 City: Sac

How much do V-Rides go for?

Sangers are very reasonable compared to other V-drives. Plus the wake is killer.

callen · Newbie Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 40 City: Lowell

The word I'm getting is about 42-43000 with everything I would want on it, perfect pass, wedge, real ballast, titan 3

bmartin · Addict Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 794

You can get into lots of boats in that price range. Centurions (Avalanche), Tiges, Moombas (LSV), and Supras. Not saying they are better per se, just some options.

Jon · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 1176

I'm not trying to advertise here but I've got a new 2005 Moomba Mobius XLV Gravity Games Edition LOADED on my lot for $44.5k. There are a lot of boats out there you can get in that price range. bmartin listed some good options as well.

itch · Posted: May 14, 2005 5:54 am Post subject:

My local shop which is the second biggest malibu shop in Michigan is sellinf the v-ride for 43 out the door loaded. Imo I have rode behind almost everything and for 43 g's it has the best fit and finish, the best engine, and with a lil fixing the wake is killer. I personally wouldn't get the wedge if you planned on riding with a full ballast
and a full crew, if you are riding with with a couple friends then the wedge is nice its like bring two fat friends to sit in the back.
ITCH

callen · Newbie Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 40 City: Lowell

I've had two malibu's and haven't had any problems with them mechanically, thats why I figured I would go with the V-ride, how do the other boats compare in the maintenence department?

Jon · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 1176

As far as engines go, Malibu, Mastercraft, Moomba, and Supra all use Indmar. So maintenance won't be any different on those.

logan · Posted: May 14, 2005 8:47 am Post subject:

callen, the v-ride is a smart way to go, it's the true boarders boat, you get the same wake which is what matters, for less cost, so what if it doesn't have all the bells and whistles, it's what behind the boat that counts, well service and stuff, but it's a BU so you know it's one of the best brands available.

itch · Posted: May 14, 2005 11:08 am Post subject:

Logan
I guess I don't know what you mean by bells and wistles?
But the v-ride comes with the tower,the ballast and perfect-pass.
A good stereo but no added speakers. It is an entery level boat that puts out a
great wake not to mention a great ride.
itch

Bambamski · Posted: May 15, 2005 7:55 am Post subject:

If your heart is set on Malibu then I'd get a 1-2 year old VLX for the same price or less. Same hull, but they didn't cheap out on anything.

steve-o · Posted: May 15, 2005 8:38 am Post subject:

banbamski,

the only thing Malibu "cheaped out on" with the V-RIDE are insignificant options. ITs basically the same baot as last years VLX minus some options. IMO being a V-RIDE owner your way better to buy a NEW v-ride and pick a couple options that suit your needs than buy a USED boat thats been abused down't have the same warentee.

In my -vride we put in the rear ballast, perfect pass, flip up bolster seating and thats it!
I'll install a stereo soon, on my own, and i just bought board racks on wakeside.

A much better deal than the used super sport we were considering buying.

jeffh555 · Posted: May 15, 2005 2:42 pm Post subject:

looking at my buddys 05 vlx, i can definately see where malibu could cheap out and not affect anthing. eg. billet wakesetter emblems on interior, steering wheel, throttle knob, blingy guages, ect.

on the other hand, the vlx is really nice, all the little details are well thaught out, but definately not nessisary.

steve-o · Posted: May 15, 2005 3:22 pm Post subject:

I know what you mean jeffh555........the new VLX is really nice. But considering we upgraded from a 1987 ski supreme to the V-ride...i coudn't be happier.

When we first started looking to get a boat we were considering the Moomba mobius. After talking to the moomba dealer the price was pretty much the same getting the V-ride..... So when i look at it that way my striped down "VLX" looks pretty nice compared to the mobius

Bambamski · Posted: May 15, 2005 4:09 pm Post subject:

I don't know Steve-o

The whole dashboard looked different, the drivers side panal, the carpet as well as the Vinyl. Details around and under the seats also didn't look as nice as my buddies older VLX. I can see going from a 97 ski supreme to your new boat as being a huge upgrade. IMO, the new V-ride is a few steps under the older VLX's though.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Bambamski... is correct here.

BUT

THe V-Ride is an excellent choice.

Boomer · Outlaw Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: 109 City: Austin

Yeah, it's a few steps under a VLX. $8000 steps or so. Smile

To many people it's all about the wake, and owning a Malibu. The interior niceties on the VLX they don't need, so the V-ride is perfect. When you're riding behind the boat, you really don't care that the dash is missing the billet insert, and the carpet isn't quite as thick. Cool

Cyclonecj · Soul Rider Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 338 City: Atlanta

You should look at a Moomba XLV if you want a big nice (not bling) boat with tons of people capacity and storage and a wake that is as good as Brand X........and for me, a MUCH better dealer than my local MC creep. Malibu's nice but maybe you want bigger for the same/less price. My .02:)

callen · Newbie Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 40 City: Lowell

talked to the malibu dealership today, looks like i'll be ordering a v-ride come august, i'll have to stick with the sportster till then. August gives me the ablilty to talk my wife into the new ride. Also my wife is the talented one so it shouldn't be to hard. I just go out there and pretend to know what I'm doing.

callen · Newbie Joined: 13 May 2005 Posts: 40 City: Lowell

talked to the malibu dealership today, looks like i'll be ordering a v-ride come august, i'll have to stick with the sportster till then. August gives me the ablilty to talk my wife into the new ride. Also my wife is the talented one so it shouldn't be to hard. I just go out there and pretend to know what I'm doing.