Hot Tub Forum

Brand Specific Forums => Hot Spring Spas => Topic started by: Black93fiveO on October 14, 2018, 08:06:36 am

Title: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: Black93fiveO on October 14, 2018, 08:06:36 am
Hi, I'm looking to purchase a hot tub in the near future and this will be my first one.  So far I have visited one dealer.  I found a Hot Spring Vanguard I really liked.  He quoted me 14,500 plus tax for the Floor Model.  It includes the cover, lift, steps, starting chemicals, subpanel, and delivery and placement.  This is their 0% financing offer.  They will sell the tub for 12,700 if I only do 18 month financing.  Does this seem like a fair price for a floor model?

I will be going to look at bullfrog spas today.  I am in south eastern Michigan.  If anyone has any advice about the Vanguard or can recommend a comparable tub from another brand and any good dealers near me I would be very appreciative for the information.

Thanks
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: castletonia on October 14, 2018, 02:18:06 pm
Is it a Vanguard NXT or Highlife Vanguard?
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: Black93fiveO on October 14, 2018, 02:46:56 pm
Just the highlife vangard
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: castletonia on October 14, 2018, 03:22:34 pm
Any idea how long it has been a floor model and is it empty or filled?  There is a lot that can determine price (inventory, local market, whether the dealer is a servicing dealer or contracts out, hot tub only or also sells complimentary products, etc). That price is right in line with what I would special order the Vanguard at so, depending on condition of the floor model, etc, it may be a fair price or there could be more wiggle room.

As for other options, you can also consider the following brands: Arctic, Artesian, Bullfrog, Caldera, D1, Jacuzzi, Marquis, and Sundance.  I also sell Caldera and could suggest the Niagara.  Visit the websites of the above manufacturers and see who your local options are.  The dealer can be almost as important as the brand, so research your dealer carefully too.  They are the ones supporting you after the sale.
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: Black93fiveO on October 14, 2018, 05:44:00 pm
Thanks.  He didnt want to go down any lower on the floor model but he is now offering a new tub for 13,400 plus tax. With 24 month financing.   I had a chance to go out and look at Bullfrog spas today and my decision has become much harder now.
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: BullFrogSpasMN on October 14, 2018, 05:46:39 pm
I'd still try and get him down to 12k flat, doesn't hurt to ask....also go look at a Bullfrog R7, more value for a couple thousand dollar less...you won't be stuck with 2 seats with the same jet and you'll also get 4 corner seats which is a much preferred layout over having only 3 corners in the Vanguard, it's quoted as a 6 person spa but really only fits 3-4 at the very most (source: I used to own one lol)...good luck
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: Spatech_tuo on October 14, 2018, 07:32:43 pm
Thanks.  He didnt want to go down any lower on the floor model but he is now offering a new tub for 13,400 plus tax. With 24 month financing.   I had a chance to go out and look at Bullfrog spas today and my decision has become much harder now.

Counter offer, give him a max budget, ask for other items included at no cost... its always negotiable up until he says "no that's as far as I can go"
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: Black93fiveO on October 14, 2018, 08:29:33 pm
I got to see the A7 R7 and X7. All seemed really nice and i was overwhelmed with all the color options and jet pak choices.  Id probably go with the R7 if i go bullfrog but being my first tub the X7 looked pretty good to me and makes me wonder if i need to spend the extra money on the other ones.  I haven't wet tested yet and that will be a big part in my decision making.  The thing that really attracts me to the highlife series is the design.  They really look nice and i really only hear good things about hot spring.  I will keep trying to negotiate on the Vanguard.  Are you saying i should try for 12k with the 24 months financing and extras on the floor model or the new one?
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: wmccall on October 15, 2018, 07:28:17 am
Welcome to the forum. I haven't priced in over 5 years, so I'll stay out of that.  I do like the Vanguard, my sister owned one, it was our 2nd choice.
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: Black93fiveO on October 15, 2018, 07:54:47 am
Thanks.  Can I ask what your fist choice ended up being?
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: wmccall on October 15, 2018, 10:01:53 am
Thanks.  Can I ask what your fist choice ended up being?

This was my 2nd tub back in 2013. We were down to One Jacuzzi model, the Sudance Majesta that we ended up with and the similar size Vanguard.  I would have been happy with any of the three.  The dealer of the Jacuzzi/Sundance models was a little more accomodating and helped me go that way.  But alas, we went with the one my wife was the most comfortable in as she tended to float in some models.
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: castletonia on October 15, 2018, 11:04:24 am
I got to see the A7 R7 and X7. All seemed really nice and i was overwhelmed with all the color options and jet pak choices.  Id probably go with the R7 if i go bullfrog but being my first tub the X7 looked pretty good to me and makes me wonder if i need to spend the extra money on the other ones.  I haven't wet tested yet and that will be a big part in my decision making.  The thing that really attracts me to the highlife series is the design.  They really look nice and i really only hear good things about hot spring.  I will keep trying to negotiate on the Vanguard.  Are you saying i should try for 12k with the 24 months financing and extras on the floor model or the new one?

I would start with a new one.  The worst they can do is say no.  And if they say no, they may counter with the floor model.
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: bradleyabell on October 15, 2018, 03:52:58 pm
I got to see the A7 R7 and X7. All seemed really nice and i was overwhelmed with all the color options and jet pak choices.  Id probably go with the R7 if i go bullfrog but being my first tub the X7 looked pretty good to me and makes me wonder if i need to spend the extra money on the other ones.  I haven't wet tested yet and that will be a big part in my decision making.  The thing that really attracts me to the highlife series is the design.  They really look nice and i really only hear good things about hot spring.  I will keep trying to negotiate on the Vanguard.  Are you saying i should try for 12k with the 24 months financing and extras on the floor model or the new one?

We bought a Bullfrog X8L about a year ago and we love it!!  Paid 7.2k with tax, cover, cover lifter, stairs, starter chems, etc all included.  I live in SW Michigan.
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: Black93fiveO on October 17, 2018, 12:09:24 pm
Where did you go to get that deal on the X8L
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: BullFrogSpasMN on October 18, 2018, 07:55:29 pm
Where did you go to get that deal on the X8L

I think he got it in 'Miracle Land' as in it would be a miracle for you to find that price on a brand new X8 unless you can locate a dealer that turns his Open Sign on everyday to break even lol....I sell X7's for more than that.
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: Black93fiveO on October 18, 2018, 09:54:08 pm
The local deal by me is an X7 for 8200 out the door with 24 month financing.  Seems alright of a deal.  I wasnt sure if there was room to negotiate.
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: BullFrogSpasMN on October 19, 2018, 11:39:46 am
The local deal by me is an X7 for 8200 out the door with 24 month financing.  Seems alright of a deal.  I wasnt sure if there was room to negotiate.

Great price with 'tax in' and also considering that 24 month plan is costing your dealer 5-6% on top of it...does that include the upgraded lighting package as well?
Title: Re: Looking at HS Vanguard. First time buyer need advice.
Post by: bradleyabell on October 19, 2018, 02:58:46 pm
The local deal by me is an X7 for 8200 out the door with 24 month financing.  Seems alright of a deal.  I wasnt sure if there was room to negotiate.

I live in SW Michigan and bought from Watson's.  I paid $6,800 before tax and that included everything (cover, cover lifter, steps, start up chems, delivery).