Questions On Sundance Optima... Energy Cost, Price

[pattyb]

Hi

We live in the NorthEast and are looking at buying a Sundance Optima spa. I'm wondering if anyone owning a similar Sundance model living in cold climate could provide thier average montly electical cost? From what I've heard it sounds like avg montly cost is approx $30.. Our friends own a HS Grandee and tell us thier bill increased by only $20...

Also, looking to find out what the going price is for this spa. We were quoted $8,880 incl delivery, steps, cover & cover lifter (no ozone).

Glad to read that many others are finding spa shopping as overwhelming and stressful as we are! I was beginning to think we are total losers because we'd look at a tub, like it - think it was "the one". Then go into one more store...like another - and think IT was "the one" ... and so on! And then there is the foam/thermo barrier issue! We've looked at Jacuzzi, Hydro spa, Gold Coast, Coast Spas, Hot Spring, Cal Spa... When we sat in the Optima we absolutely LOVED it. But we won't know for sure until we wet test. In advance, Thanks for your feedback.

[spatech (the unreal one)]

We've looked at Jacuzzi, Hydro spa, Gold Coast, Coast Spas, Hot Spring, Cal Spa... When we sat in the Optima we absolutely LOVED it. But we won't know for sure until we wet test. In advance, Thanks for your feedback.

That certainly is a different mix of spas. I think the Jacuzzi, Hot Springs and Sundance brands are a cut above the others but that's for you to determine. Keep putting in the time as you get one chance to get the best spa, for you. Now that you've put in the work at each dealer don't spend too much deciding which is best yet, wet test your top 3 (or so) and you'll probably find that it points to one or two spas and makes it much easier to decide. Good luck.

[pattyb]

That certainly is a different mix of spas. I think the Jacuzzi, Hot Springs and Sundance brands are a cut above the others but that's for you to determine.

yes it IS quite a mix! We started off looking at the lower cost ones. But after a closer look at the quality and sturdiness we concluded that you really DO get what you pay for when buying a spa.

Also, I'm feeling that if we buy "chevy" or "hyundi" or "wannabe" type spa (think fake rolex), we'd probably have end up kicking ourselves... (especially if/when we had problems). I do think we'll be happier increasing the budget and getting a "cadillac" spa.. And while on the car analogy... I've been joking with friends that we've spent more time looking at spas than we did for the last 4 cars we bought (combined!!!) Why is that?

Thanks for all the great info (fact & opinion) on these boards. It's helped us tremenously!

[susan]

Hi

We live in the NorthEast and are looking at buying a Sundance Optima spa. I'm wondering if anyone owning a similar Sundance model living in cold climate could provide thier average montly electical cost? From what I've heard it sounds like avg montly cost is approx $30.. Our friends own a HS Grandee and tell us thier bill increased by only $20...

Also, looking to find out what the going price is for this spa. We were quoted $8,880 incl delivery, steps, cover & cover lifter (no ozone).

Glad to read that many others are finding spa shopping as overwhelming and stressful as we are! I was beginning to think we are total losers because we'd look at a tub, like it - think it was "the one". Then go into one more store...like another - and think IT was "the one" ... and so on! And then there is the foam/thermo barrier issue! We've looked at Jacuzzi, Hydro spa, Gold Coast, Coast Spas, Hot Spring, Cal Spa... When we sat in the Optima we absolutely LOVED it. But we won't know for sure until we wet test. In advance, Thanks for your feedback.

What'd you think of the Hydro and Coast spas? Was the Hot Springs spa much more expensive than the others? I wish we could find that one elusive spa with all the features we want. It seems like one is good for the insulation, one is great with pumps, etc. I just know my dream spa is out there, and as soon as I plunk down my hard-earned cash for one, I'm going to find the Cinderella spa, haha. I"m curious to read what your thoughts are on the Hydro Spa. I haven't seen one here in MI. The other I wondered about is a Wyndham Spa. Has anyone heard of the company?

yes it IS quite a mix! We started off looking at the lower cost ones. But after a closer look at the quality and sturdiness we concluded that you really DO get what you pay for when buying a spa.

Also, I'm feeling that if we buy "chevy" or "hyundi" or "wannabe" type spa (think fake rolex), we'd probably have end up kicking ourselves... (especially if/when we had problems). I do think we'll be happier increasing the budget and getting a "cadillac" spa.. And while on the car analogy... I've been joking with friends that we've spent more time looking at spas than we did for the last 4 cars we bought (combined!!!) Why is that?

Thanks for all the great info (fact & opinion) on these boards. It's helped us tremenously!

That's funny: my boyfriend and I were saying the same thing for the past two weeks. And I just got a new Cadillac in December - my first new car ever. And I love it!

[Trigger]

I live in the Northeast and was very concerned about insualtion and heating costs as well. After some research I decided that a quality full foamed tub was overall a better way to go in my climate. I purchased a Tiger River (made by watkins - Hot Sptings) and average winter months costs are about $30.

Sundance has a great reputation and I think you'll be very happy with it. Its a quality tub that will outlast the wannabe tubs and give you years of enjoyment.

[pattyb]

That's funny: my boyfriend and I were saying the same thing for the past two weeks. And I just got a new Cadillac in December - my first new car ever. And I love it!

>>What'd you think of the Hydro and Coast spas? Was the Hot Springs spa much more expensive than the others?

Some history. Two of our friends have Hot Spring so that's where we started our search. ... $7.7K for Soverign, $8.5/Vanguard, $9/Envoy. Very nice spas. Went on-line to see if these prices were competitive. Found Spaspecialist who totally bashed HS & full foam. Found poolandspa.com spa manufacturer comparison charts (and ratings). Noted the 5star rating on Hydro and Golf Coast. Assumed they were similar in quality to HS. I was elated to see we could buy a Hydro Spa Lexxus (mid size w/ lounger) for only $4K (including delivery, cover etc). So we went to look at Hydro Spa with very HIGH expectations. The Lexxus & entire MarkIII line LOOKS absolutely beautiful and has all the bells & whistles (circ pump, ozone, chrome jets, waterfall, aromatherapy etc). VERY impressive! Almost left a deposit but held off. Couple days later began searching for Hydro Spa on-line... Many posts to the effect that they are not bad tubs for the money, but don't think you are getting a HS, D1, Sundance, etc. My biggest concern was, and still is, energy cost (not full foam). If our electric bill goes up $100 I'd end up resenting the spa and the dealer I bought it from.

Went to a few other dealers..

Coast spa... pitch is made in the North, for the North. Shell is made like a tank, reinforced with steel, weighs a ton. $5.7K for Tahiti/Paradise model... Mid-large size. (Have not done any wet tests..on any spa .. but we noticed some of the jets on the Coast (and Hydro) gouged our backs, very uncomforatable and annoying. The salesman said w/ water in the tub we would not feel it). We believed him, of course, and selected the colors ... certain the Coast spa was "the one". Then went to 'one more' dealer.

Dealer at next store told us no circ pump on Coast spas, and bashed the filtration system (old technology...if a spring goes it's an expensive repair) and that shell warranty meant that if there was a problem we had to ship spa back to BC Canada - at our expense. That dealer had Sundance, Cal Spa and Golf Coast. Golf Coast (non full foam) is eye-catching. About $5.2k for LX-7000 if memory serves. But the shell flexed too much for me.. felt flimsy. IMO Golf Coast and Hyrdo Spa are in the "fake rolex" catagory. Nice looking spas, great value, but not really comparable to the higer end spas. You do get a lot for your money if that's all your budget permits.

Beside Golf Coast this dealer also had CalSpa and Sundance. As I mentioned earlier, we really LOVED the Sundance/Optima, but not the $8.8K price tag. This is larger tub (480 gals) than the Hydro Spa $4K tub, the Hydro similar in size to Optima was nearly $6K... so we're to the point of thinking the few addiional thousand may be worth it.

Have not heard of Wyndham Spa. Hope that helps.