Buying a hot tub (USED) absolute do's and donts?

[Himark]

Well like it says looking for a used one. This would be my first hot tub. I will probably burn out after a few years of ownership and bail and dont want to lose to much $. That seems to be the m.o. of most hot tub owners as you see on CL all the time. I was also thinking of having it going all winter and not in the summer just draining it??

It seems people take a huge kick in the balls on resale on these things. Couple questions? What I have gathered so far is it looks like 2500-3k has been best price for 3 year old unit seating 6 with nice options.

1. Whats the best brand that is easily repaired?

2. Whats the best price point I should be looking for and the resale will it sustain at that price? Most likely the bottom price for a few years.
ie, does a new tub at 7000 drop to 4k the first year then 3k then hover 25-3000 for longest time.

3. two pumps for sure? two heating elements? a non sealed tub vs the foamed in ones?

4. Whats the most popular brand and best possible for easy resale?

 

[newmy1]

Don't forget to invite Toggy over when you get her set up


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[trikerider]

Find a local dealer that’s been there a long time. They should have a guy that installs/fixes them, if he’s also been at the dealer for a while he would be the guy to ask about brands and repairs.

You can find them for free on Craigslist but usually need work.

I’ve had two, the first was huge (8 person), went to a 300 gal (4 person) and has be trouble free for well over 10 years, has simple controls with cheap jets that I usually don’t turn on.

I would ask a professional about draining it during the summer, can cause problems with seals drying up and leaking when refilled.

220 volt is the only way to go, 110 has a tendency to take a long time to heat and will have a hard time staying hot in the winter when the cover is off. It usually takes a 50 amp breaker and 6 3 with ground power cable.

I use this for chemicals http://www.baquaspa.com/ no smell, none.

 

[mold]

Guess you will need a good "people soup" recipe?

 

[togwotee9]

Don't forget to invite Toggy over when you get her set up


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If he's buying a used on, chances are good there could be some Toggy swimmers still swimming around in that used tub. Enjoy.

 

[polaris dude]

ahahaha

 

[Dam Dave]

lots of bleach.........

 

[cowboy181d]

stay away from digital displays as the circut boards die easily, and 220v is the only way to go. Oh and lots of chlorine as some seriously nasty gunk can build up in the pipes feeding the jets,fill it heat it shock the water with chlorine let it run overnight with the jets on,drain it change the filters and refill!(long before you ever get in it!!!)

 

[tmk50]

Based on my experience after a year or two - plan on spending $400-500 per year in "maintenance"

It's always something with a hot tub. Covers, heaters, pumps, etc.....

Owned one at my last house and was happy to "include" it in the sale price when I sold the place.

I hope the quality is better now then it was then. I bought the tub in 1998 and was happy to be rid of it when we moved out in 2006.

 

[Jeff C]

I had the same hot tub for over 20 years.

It was a hotspring.

I never had one problem with it. Yep, it was more expensive to buy it up front.

Had the 110 model, and wished I bought the 220 model so it would stay warm in the winter.

The issue with 110V models is that they EITHER heat or they run the blower, NOT BOTH.

The water temp would drop off 7 degrees an hour with the water pump on. I did not mind that much, as I was never going to stay in the tub more than an hour anyway.

YOu probably will not need more than a four person model. 99% of the time you will be in it by yourself or with your gal/pal.

Get a cover lift assist for it! It sucks putting back on the cover when it is 10 above and you just get out of the tub, your freezing cold, your nads are in shriveled up in your abdomen, and you are struggling with getting the cover on. Just get a cover lift assist.......

Plan on spending aobut $50-60 a month heating that thing.

I really liked my Hotspring. It had a back massage jet that ran up and down the entire length of my back.

Be weary of those guys who say "Well, our tubs have 30,40,50 jets!"

Jets mean little unless they are doing something other than just making bubbles. Find one that has Meaningful jets, jets that actually hit your body and massage you.

At the end of my time with the tub, I was just heating water, and never used it anymore. Sold it on Craigslist for a few hundred dollars. I wanted it out of there, and was tired of paying the heating costs when nobody used it.

Stay away from those units that are lining the walls at Costco or Same Club. Find one that you can get service for it should you need it.

Enjoy your new tub!

 

[JSCC]

Get as many motors as you can, two minimum, four is better. Jets are a personal thing but I think you can make any of them work for you so don't get caught up in the amount.
Foot massagers are a must! I use those jets the most, and not just for the feet as they work great for calves and thighs.
220v no questions asked.
A cover assist as mentioned for sure.
I own a six year old Down East Spa and have not replaced a single part. It's been a great spa so far.
Walmart has great pricing on chemicals as well.

 

[Mafesto]

Get as many motors as you can, two minimum, four is better. Jets are a personal thing but I think you can make any of them work for you so don't get caught up in the amount.
Foot massagers are a must! I use those jets the most, and not just for the feet as they work great for calves and thighs.
220v no questions asked.
A cover assist as mentioned for sure.
I own a six year old Down East Spa and have not replaced a single part. It's been a great spa so far.
Walmart has great pricing on chemicals as well.

Dammit man,
WalMart is the devil.

 

[coyoteman]

If he's buying a used on, chances are good there could be some Toggy swimmers still swimming around in that used tub. Enjoy.

I just spit coffee on my desk. lol

 

[togwotee9]

I just spit coffee on my desk. lol

Your welcome

 

[T-Bone]

The only thing I know about hot tubs is don't let some drunken retard pour a bottle of shampoo in it because his drunken idiot girlfriend wants bubbles to conceal whatever is going on under the water.

Not my tub or girlfriend, but my buddy had a lot of explaining to do to his dad back in high school.

 

[av8er]

digital display

my buddy had a hot tub for 12 years with a digital display and zero issues,
it was top of the line a $8K tub

 

[newmy1]

Contrary to snowest popular belief. This thread is priceless w/o pics of you in a hot tub

 

[RMK-King]

You could always get the economy version.