DjPiLL

Sounds like you are getting a good deal, considering the electric and all that good stuff is already done. (Electric alone can run up to a grand) I would take the tub. If you don't want to use it right away, just have a dealer come in and winterize it.

The few I have seen were on their way to the landfill - after giving much greif to the owners. Sorry. Even if you get one which functions for you, it is generally overpriced for what you are getting, at least in my opinion. Bummer If I still get it (Now thinking I am going to stop the order) I got the condord gold package 75 jets for 10 grand delivered tax included. No special feature like lights and stereo because I never used them on the calspa. Its using a thermozone and titanium heater. Does it sound like I over paid? I paid a little less for the cal spa 6 years but it had about 20 less jets. I think they stated off at 17+ grand and gave me 6100 in discounts which came to about 11600. I said I will think about it. Called the rep a couple of days later and told him I will not do it but would for 10,000 out the door. He got back with me a couple of hours later and said deal. Did I get taken by my own doing??? Did I over pay?? Thanks Again Streesed out now Rob I don't know where you are located but I would guess you DEFINITELY overpaid. Look at some of the prices I got for various good quality hot tubs. Hot Springs Vista: 9800 Hot Springs Envoy: 8900 Caldera Tahitian: 8800 Arctic Tundra Legend Extreme: 10200 These prices are before tax but include all the usual, delivery, steps, cover lifter, chemicals, etc. Cancel your order. Another thing don't be fooled by more jets = better performance. I sat in tubs that had 40+ jets (like the Vista) that performed better than some tubs that had over 60 jets.

Is the quote on the Arctic in USD ? Is tax included in the 10.500 $ or is the price without tax. My Canadian Arctic dealer is asking 9.500 CAD for a 7ft. Arctic Cub Signature + Tax without any options.... Price in USD before tax I believe. They said that all their tubs were the same price, the price is determined by the amount of jets installed.

Somewhere between 75 and 250 KWH per month depending on your climate and use. 15 to 40 bucks Wow... that's pretty reasonable. There were people on here claiming they were using 500-750 KWH for a Maxxus (during the winter months in a New England colder climate), which is the reason why I am concerned about getting the Maxxus.

Ask the Sundance dealer this: If the Sundance has less filters and they filter out smaller particles, why would you not have to clean it as much or more than the HotSpring? Wouldn't it by nature trap more stuff and need to be cleaned more often? The Sundance dealer said that their filters don't get cleaned... you just replace them every six months or so. I believe that is what he said since the Sundance ones are disposable. He said the HS filters need to be washed every two weeks. Regardless I think I am leaning towards the Vista anyways. I am a little concerned with Electrical usage on the Maxxus since its such a huge tub. I am trying to find out how much KWH the Vista uses on average per month. But nobody here seems to have posted this info. My KWH rate is 17cents per KWH so electric is an issue.

Is it true that you can place all five HS filters in the dishwasher and run a clean cycle with no soap? If so that isn't too difficult.

You know I didn't get a chance to wet test, but check out the Hot Springs' "Limelight" series. I saw the Pulse and Flair in person a few days ago. They aren't that big, but they look pretty sharp. The Pulse in the blue looked really nice. You could probably get one of these for around 8k or maybe even less.

What about the issue with cleaning the Hot Springs filters? Are there any HS owners here that can chime in as to how often they need to hose down their filters? The HS dealer says once every few months. The Sundance dealer says its more like once every week or two. If it's every few months, I don't mind too much. Can I get away with doing it once every time I do a water change or is that too long?

It looks like its going to be either a Hot Springs Vista for me, or a Sundance (Cameo or Maxxus). I wanted to post a separate thread about filtration. The Sundance dealers knock the Hot Springs way of filtration. They don't like the idea of having to clean the Hot Springs filters every few weeks (when the Hot Springs dealer says you clean them every few months). The Hot Springs guy said you put all five filters into the dishwasher, run a clean cycle with no soap, and put back in. The Sundance dealer says this is not the most efficient way of filtration. Sundance dealer also says their filters are better as they filter down to smaller microns than the Hot Springs. Is there a difference between the two? The Sundance dealer (along with a lot of other dealers) say the Hot Springs shell is incredibly thin, and can cause an issue. Is this a case? Also in an unrelated question, do you think there will be a difference in electicity usage between a Vista and a Maxxus? Thanks in advance.

Ok couple new notes. I went to the Arctic dealer and wet tested the Tundra. Hated it. Had all kinds of issues with where I would put my feet. In order to put my feet on the floor to hit the jets, my knees would be so close to my body it was majorly uncomfortable. If I extended my legs out I didnt get the benefit of any foot jets and I had trouble staying in place (was floating out of some seats). They also had a Kodiak that I was able to wet test. The Kodiak wasn't as bad, but the dealer screwed up the chemical mix. He dropped in some chlorine right before I got there. The water was practically green. I sat in there for a little bit but I couldn't stay in there for long. I wasn't too impressed with the Kodiak anyways. But with talking to the Arctic dealer, I found out that he is actually taking over selling the Sundance and will start to sell Arctic along with Sundance. This makes total sense as the other dealer that had the Sundances on the floor was trying to push Cal Spa. He said he was getting the Maxxus in and will have that ready for wet testing next week. This dealer also said they would fill anything they had on the floor if I wanted to wet test (this is the only dealer in my area willing to do this). So since he was getting Sundance in, I decided to go back to the other dealer that also sold Cal Spa since I already had my trunks with me and I wet tested the Sundance Cameo. I liked the Cameo. Nice little spa. The lounge was nice. Seats were ok. But the headrests were hard as a rock. This was a 2007 model. Are the 2008 models getting a better headrest? I also tried one of their Cal Spas, wasn't really that impressed. When the Arctic dealer gets the Maxxus in he is filling it and I will try that (hopefully later this week). Now the decision is getting more difficult. Sundance or Hot Springs?

Actually the other manufacturer I wet tested yesterday with the strong jets was a Caldera Tahitian.... (I originally said it was a Caspian).

Ok so I was able to wet test a few more models yesterday. I went up to Yonkers (35mi away) and I wet tested the Vista. I liked the Vista better than the Envoy. I liked the "roominess" of the Vista. Also I found that on the Vista there were more seats I liked. The lounge seemed ok... didn't float too much. But I also liked the corner seats as well. It seemed like the headrest fit me well on all three seats, getting me right above the neck. Was a good fit. I only wished there were more foot jets on the Vista. I had trouble reaching the foot jets on the lounge. From one corner seat I could reach the foot jets in the center and I could also reach them from the center seat. I also thought the "adirondack seat" on the Vista was much better than the Envoy. I had all kinds of trouble with that seat on the Envoy. While I was there they had a Caldera filled. I have the model number written at work (it was a Tahitian). The Caldera was ok. I liked the lounge better than the Vista since it had better calf and feet jets. But the rest of the seats were just ok. I noticed the jets seemed stronger on the Caldera and I prefer much easier jets. This dealer also had two Limelights on display. They had a Pulse filled but wasn't at temperature. They also had a Flair downstairs that wasn't filled. Both tubs looked nice, but they were both rather small. Then I went to a different dealer. I was able to wet test the Grandee. Surprisingly I didn't like it. I had trouble with a lot of the seats. The seat on the Grandee located where the lounge is on the Vista I didn't like. I had major trouble with the Grandee headrests. They seemed to be located too high on my head so I wasn't entirely comfortable. Very strange since I didn't have this problem with the Vista. While I was there I also sat in the Envoy that they had filled as well. Again wasn't that impressed with the Envoy. So still looking. hrmmmgh. The Vista might be an option but I have to see what price I can get it at since its not cheap.

OK the other dealer thats about 35 miles from me has a Prodigy and a Vista filled. So i'll be testing the Vista today. I wish he had a Vista and Envoy instead so I could easily compare but i'll take it. I'll wet test whatever else he has filled (other manufacturers). Then the other Hot Spring dealer thats about 35 miles in the opposite direction has a Grandee and an Envoy. So I should be able to wet test all of Hot Springs major models.

I know it's just difficult to try to figure out what is best. Lounger? No Lounger? Big Tub? Smaller Tub? My wife said that I will definitely float more if I lay in the tub stiff. She said I need to "learn to relax" and it won't be an issue. This is coming from the woman who refuses to wet test. LOL But she has sat in Hot Tubs before when she was younger and living out of state. So she does have some experience with them. I think this is one of the reasons why she really doesn't care what I pick. She is more concerned about the look of the tub and its warranty as well as it's overall quality on the structure. She said she would be happy with more or less anything (she is a very simple person). She knows I am the picky annoying one. I guess after I wet test a Grandee and/or hopefully a Vista tomorrow i'll have a better idea. I'll also get an idea when I can test that Arctic Kodiak on Monday.

Ok I went around all the dealers with my wife today. Jazuzzi is also unfortunately out as well because my dealer is Harrows and these guys are constantly declaring bankruptsy and I dont feel comfortable with buying from them. It's a shame because I liked the Jacuzzi tubs too. The Sundance/CalSpa dealer i'm not sure about. His price for the Maxxus was over 11k. He had a Cameo but that was over 9k and I am not sure if that was worth the price. He was pushing the Cal Spa line. He had a A857L for 8075 and an A844L for 7500. Problem was neither had water and he said he cant set them up for a wet test. Duh. Same goes with the Master Spa dealer who I didnt even bother seeing today (saw them last week). They only had one model that had water which was their top of the line model (the one with the flat surface to lay on). So Thats no good either. The Arctic dealer was the only dealer who said they would set up any spa I wanted that they had on the floor there for a wet test. They had a 2007 Kodiak Legend Extreme for 9k floor model. Is this a good deal? He said he had somebody coming Monday for a wet test and they were filling it then so I could come back on monday and wet test that particular model. He said the 2008 models were coming in next week and would have a few including a Klondiker. But they said any of the legend extreme models were all over 10k. I am not sure if that was worth the price. I actually was able to wet test two models at the Hot Springs dealer. I tried an Envoy and a Vanguard. I am kinda torn about the lounge. My wife wanted a lounge but she said she refuses to wet test. I found myself floating a bit with the Lounge on the Envoy. But I also found myself floating a little out of a lot of the other seats as well. Is this normal? I tried the Vanguard and that didnt have a lounge. I don't think I floated as much out of the Vanguard but I felt the Vanguard was a little small. I want a larger tub. The dealer has another location further away that has a wet Envoy and Grandee. So I could go to that location to compare the Envoy to something larger without a lounge (instead of the smaller Vanguard). I am calling another separate dealer tomorrow morning hoping to see what models he has for a wet test. I am hoping he has a Vista and Envoy because I really want to try the Vista and compare it to the Envoy. I wont know until tomorrow when I call them. Oh and with this dealer, price right now Envoy for 8900 (he says thats a rock bottom price) and a Vista for 9900 which I think is a little high. He said typical package comes with the usual steps, cover, chemicals, delivery, etc. I was able to get him to throw in a cover lift to the package so far. But I would like more if I am going to spend over 9k on a tub. What do you guys think? I am afraid of more floating. Is it mormal to float (or really rise) a little? It wasn't like my belly was out of the water. But I definitely wasn't sitting straight down. The one thing I really liked on the Hot Springs in general were the headrests. Very comfortable. I really wished the Envoy had the third headrest though. They only have one for the lounge and one in another seat. The seat I probably would have sat in the most besides the lounge was the corner seat that didn't have the headrest (duh). This is why I am going to look at the vista... because of the extra headrest.

Seymour CT is a little far for me. How am I going to get service on a spa from a dealer thats a good 80+ miles away from me? Do techs travel that far?

The $13K is for the Grandee with the Stone Skirt. That is a pricey option. The $10,200 for the Vista is right in line. How far is your closest dealer and how far to Yonkers? Well the dealer local to me is about 5 miles away. Yonkers isn't close but it's not like it's in another state. Maybe 35 miles away. I guess it would depend on if they service my area. Maybe it could help if they have models I can wet test that my local dealer doesn't have set up with water? Also my local dealer in Long Island is closed on Sundays but the Yonker's dealer is open on Sunday. Maybe I can we test the local dealer on Saturday and the Yonkers one on Sunday?

I decided to look for more Hot Spring dealers in my area and I noticed there was one in Yonkers. I was looking at their current specials online and saw this. http://www.priscospas.com/news.html They want over 13k for a Grandee... but isn't the Grandee a step down from the Vista? The dealer in Long Island wanted 10,200 for a Vista and that was before any negotiation. Wondering if it's even worse to take a drive up to Yonkers.

Does your dealer carry any Limelights? The major differences: Hot Spring Superior insulation Superior filtration Wider variety of jets Limelight More powerful jets Awesome lighting Shorter Warranty Significant savings I will have to ask him but the limelight website says the dealer in my area is the same place that sells the Hot Springs. How much of a difference in price do you think there would be between the Envoy and say the Pulse?

So what is so bad about these Limelight spas? My wife is seriously considering going with Hot Spring, but if we can get a Limelight for a few grand cheaper we may go that route. We were considering the Soverign and Envoy with Hot Springs but this "Pulse" by Limelight doesn't look too bad. What are the feature differences? The warranty doesn't look that bad on the Limelight, very similar to Hot Springs with the no-fault heater warranty.

QUOTE(Dennis B @ Apr 29 2008, 12:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Wet test. It's essential in my opinion. Especially for this costly an item. Would you buy a car without a test drive? Plus dry testing doesn't really prove what's most comfortable because you won't sit in it dry... especially lounge seats, and captain's chairs because you'll float out on some tubs. Well I will definitely be wet testing. My wife is unbelieveable. She actually claimed that if we got this hot tub she would be buying a raft and will sunbathe on the raft in the hot tub. Hey whatever "floats" her boat I suppose.

They were dealing with other customers on sales. And when I walked in there were two other couples waiting to be helped. They seemed pretty busy. I was in this same store last week and they weren't as busy and I got helped immediately. But this was a week ago and I was simply browsing with my wife. I wasn't getting into details on price or models because I wanted to first check here and see what was good. I am more "educated" now. ;-) Anyways I dunno... it seems like we will be deciding between the Hot Springs (Vista or Envoy), Sundance (Maxximus?), and Arctic (Kodiak). My wife really liked what she heard and read about the Hot Springs. But their tubs seem a little pricey. I have to find out what their bottom line price is. Guy wanted over 10k for a Vista and 9200 for an Envoy. Have to wet test them too. My wife refuses to wet test, doesn't feel comfortable with it. I told my wife she may not like it but she claims she will like it regardless. Oh well, looks like this is my decision to make.

I saw a few more today. Went to the Coleman dealer. Spas were "ok" but I don't know if I was that impressed. They had a 471 for $7500 and a 481 for $7600. 5% discount if I paid cash. I saw some Cal Spas that looked decent although I didn't get a chance to get pricing (they were very busy). They had a A857L and a A844L that both looked nice. They also had a Sundance Maxxus which I think would be a little pricey. They also had a vew Bahama Spas. Anyone heard of this brand? Saw a Nassau II ST and Freeport I spa. Didn't get pricing yet on those.

I figured I would post a small update. I took the wife with me shopping. I didn't wet test any (yet) but I did some intial model and pricing checks. Maybe people can comment. Hot Springs Dealer - Wanted 10,200 for a Vista and 9,300 for an Envoy. Said I could get 3% back if I paid cash. Might be able to get the price lower if I looked more serious but I'm not sure. Master Spa Dealer - Wanted 9,499 for an LSX. Wanted 6,999 for a Portsmouth SE. 5,999 for a Portsmouth DE Floor model. 8,999 for a Windsor floor model (not sure if SE or not) Artic Spa dealer - Said all spas were 10,500 if I wanted them in the Legend Extreme trim. They also had Jacuzzi models J-355 would be 8,400 after 8.5% tax. I also saw a Tiger River Caspian for 8,000 and a Sundance Chelsea for 8,000. My wife is leaning more towards the Hot Springs spas. But we are still looking. Maybe Jacuzzi?

Ok I got the wife's approval to blow some savings on a new hot tub. I have been reading these forums for the past week trying to learn the best I can. I am hoping people can help me out with some following points/questions: - I am from Long Island so I guess it would help if someone can point me in the right direction as to where to start looking (what stores/showrooms). Everything in general seems to be more money in Long Island and after hearing on here that buying a hot tub requires as much haggling as buying a new car, I am a little turned off by the process. - I could probably find some recommendations as to WHAT to buy here, but I guess it wouldn't hurt if people wanted to chime in on some suggestions. I would love to keep this purchase under $8000 out the door after tax if possible. Would also like to keep haggling to a minimum. - We are actually in the middle of redoing our backyard patio. We already found a contractor and he is installing 300sq/ft of concrete patio in our backyard. I am debating if I should have him concrete out a section in advance for the hot tub and where the hot tub would sit. He is charging me $5.25 a square foot for concrete. I already went to one hot tub dealer and they said if I didn't have a solid surface to sit the hot tub on, a 10' pad would run me $500. Not sure what the deal with that is. - How much of an electric hit are people in Long Island (with LIPA) seeing with their hot tubs? I am curious how much extra per month this hot tub would cost. I had Central Air installed in November so I am already preparing for that hit this summer. Central Air + Hot Tub may floor me after seeing that first June electric bill. If people outside of Long Island can fill me in on how many extra KWh they are using with the hot tub, I can figure out the cost for myself. - A lot of people suggest buying a used hot tub. Being in a major metropolitian area, there are a decent amount of people selling used hot tubs by me. I guess the two questions I would have with this is, how the hell do I move a used hot tub? And are warranties typically transferrable (if I buy one thats only 2-3 years old?) - Are there any options I should definitely look for? I heard there is a certain type of insulation that really helps with electric costs. Any other things I should definitely look for? - And finally what are people doing for entertainment while soaking? I know this is probably a silly question. I see you can get stereo options with these spas. Some even have TVs. TV is probably overkill, but I think I would really enjoy watching TV while soaking. Does anyone bring a laptop out with them? I was thinking just setting up a laptop next to my spa and watch TV off that (I have slingbox). Thanks in advance. Looking forward to learning a lot.