Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: jnk on March 04, 2005, 08:06:40 pm

Title: Summer Usage?
Post by: jnk on March 04, 2005, 08:06:40 pm
My husband and I are strongly considering purchasing a spa.  We have been shopping around and will probably choose a HotSprings model (Sovereign or Envoy) depending on how much we decide to spend.  We still haven't wet tested however.  We were gearing up to make the purchase this spring, until a friend of ours who has a hot tub told us that he and his family never use theirs in the summer (too hot/ uncomfortable).  If this is the case we may wait until fall to purchase.  We live in central Virginia where summer temps easily get into the 90s.  Do any of you turn the temp. down and continue to soak in the summer months, or is the spa a cool weather treat?
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: Mendocino101 on March 04, 2005, 08:18:25 pm
I Know of many who turn down the temps....even at 95 you will quickly feel cooled down...when you immerse yourself in water that is almost 4 degrees cooler than your body temp you will be amazed, remember you are just sitting and it is much different than swimming in a pool.....
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: Steve on March 04, 2005, 08:29:07 pm
Check out the discussions on temperature on page 2 of this forum.

They could (and should) be used 12 months of the year!

Steve
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: jnk on March 04, 2005, 08:45:59 pm
I will refer my friend to this message board!  Any ideas on the Sovereign v. Envoy? Is the dual motomassage and the extra recliner seat in the the Envoy worth the bucks?  Just wondering if anyone has wet tested both?
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: jbyrd72 on March 04, 2005, 08:58:13 pm
I have looked at both the HS Envoy and the Caldera Uptopia Tahiation and the Utopia Geneva.  All 3 are great tubs but you must wet test each before buying.  Where in Va r u located?  I'm over in the Staunton area and we have a couple of dealers here.  1-HS  1-Caldera
1-LA spas and Great Lakes.  If you get the chance go and check out the Bullfrog Spas at the dealership in Gordonsville.  I will probbally be purchasing one with in a year as soon as I get some bills settled. Hope this helps.  THis is a great forum for lots of info
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: jnk on March 04, 2005, 09:07:21 pm
I am in Bedford.  We have a Hotsprings dealer in Roanoke & Lynchburg, a Marquis dealer, Cal spas dealer, and a new pdc dealer (which I can't seem to find much information on).  I have visited the Hotsprings dealer in Lynchburg.  They have been very helpful, and I know several people who speak highly of them for service.  I did call the Hotsprings dealer in Roanoke.  Their price on the Envoy was the same as Lynchburg, but their Sovereign was a little higher.  I do plan to visit the Marquis dealer, but I have not heard that much about them (hot tubs or dealer).
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: Rmack on March 04, 2005, 09:19:05 pm
We recently wet tested the Vista and the Envoy, with the Envoy being our favorite. the model we tested was a 2004 so it only had the single motomassage. We are still going to test the Maxxus before making a final decision.

One thing we did not like about the HS spas was the spaudio which is an accessory for $1299. It is very muffled with it's speakers below the water line, and you could only feel the music in two side positions in the spa. If we do decide on that model we will install an external stereo system for it.

Ron

Quote
I will refer my friend to this message board!  Any ideas on the Sovereign v. Envoy? Is the dual motomassage and the extra recliner seat in the the Envoy worth the bucks?  Just wondering if anyone has wet tested both?

Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: stuart on March 04, 2005, 09:19:19 pm
Odd that you haven't heard much about Marquis! You will find a whole lot of positive feedback on this or just about any other forum on them!

I think you will understand why when you go look for yourself. Be sure to bring a suit and try them out!!
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: Mendocino101 on March 04, 2005, 09:20:49 pm
Check this board and others Marquis is highly spoke of and well regarded....
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: jnk on March 04, 2005, 09:31:05 pm
I assume that most dealers will negotiate price somewhat.  Is there a general rule-of-thumb about how much a dealer will come down on price?  I have been quoted $8500 for the Envoy and $7000 for the Sovereign.  Should I try to haggle? How do the Marquis comparable models compare in price?
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: stuart on March 05, 2005, 05:31:52 am
Quote
I assume that most dealers will negotiate price somewhat.  Is there a general rule-of-thumb about how much a dealer will come down on price?  I have been quoted $8500 for the Envoy and $7000 for the Sovereign.  Should I try to haggle? How do the Marquis comparable models compare in price?

Nah, I wouldn't try to haggle! I would run right over to the Marquis dealer.....The price is better ;)

Seriously though yes, Marquis will be very comparible if not a bit less.

Understand that some dealers don't mark their price up only to drop it for some hokey reason or another. They may be giving you thier best price right up front.
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: wmccall on March 05, 2005, 08:22:38 am
Ours is just finished with its 2nd year of year around use.  Yes, we turn the temps down, but never below 98. Even Virginia summers aren't above 90 everyday with no cooling at night.
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: Lori on March 05, 2005, 08:46:33 am
Quote
Ours is just finished with its 2nd year of year around use.  Yes, we turn the temps down, but never below 98. Even Virginia summers aren't above 90 everyday with no cooling at night.


I agree!  I turn mine down to 97 sometimes, the hubby likes it like that!

It can be very refreshing if the temps have been in the 90's!
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: Brewman on March 05, 2005, 11:27:00 am
Same here.  We knock the temperature back a few degrees in the summer.  Don't know exactly why, but it seems that the mosquitos don't bother us in the evening when we are soaking.  
Brewman
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: wade on March 05, 2005, 01:03:11 pm
have experienced pretty well the same .we turn our tub. still makes fir arelaxing time down to about100. our nights hear in saskatchewan are usuallycool even though day are in 90s in summer.still makes for arelaximg time.i find we don't use jets in warmer temps
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: jnk on March 05, 2005, 02:26:01 pm
I've called my Marquis dealer, who told me that Marquis tubs no longer have pillows.  She said the chemicals deteriorate them, and that they can be costly to replace.  I was just wondering if any of you with other brands that do have pillows have had any problems with them.  I asked the HS dealer this same question and she said that they have not had a problem with this.  Pillows v. no pillows?  What do you think? Or is this not a major issue? :D
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: Chas on March 05, 2005, 02:32:09 pm
HS redesigned it's pillows a couple of years ago, and they are now lasting much longer and showing less chemical attack.

They are also much less snuggly-wuggly, but that may very well be a personal issue.

Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: jnk on March 05, 2005, 02:50:17 pm
One more question.  The two HS dealers near me currently have the Envoy filled for wet tests, but not the Sovereign.  After reading all the posts, I don't want to buy without wet testing all the models I am considering.  Do dealers fill different models at different times?  Is it too much to ask of a dealer to do this.  These spas aren't cheap, and I certainly don't want to make a mistake regarding this purchase.
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: Chas on March 05, 2005, 04:53:48 pm
Ask.

I do it for folks all the time.

Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: drober30 on March 05, 2005, 06:31:59 pm
Quote
One more question.  The two HS dealers near me currently have the Envoy filled for wet tests, but not the Sovereign.  After reading all the posts, I don't want to buy without wet testing all the models I am considering.  Do dealers fill different models at different times?  Is it too much to ask of a dealer to do this.  These spas aren't cheap, and I certainly don't want to make a mistake regarding this purchase.


My local HS dealer was not the cheapest in price but they treated me like a king. They would fill any tub and have it ready in a 24 hour notice.

So you’re right there not cheap and I would insist on a wet test.
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: Lori on March 05, 2005, 06:57:11 pm
All of the dealers I visited had to fill at least one tub for me to test!

Ask, I'm sure they will fill the Sovereign.
Title: Re: Summer Usage?
Post by: Spatech_tuo on March 05, 2005, 08:24:31 pm
Quote
One more question.  The two HS dealers near me currently have the Envoy filled for wet tests, but not the Sovereign.  After reading all the posts, I don't want to buy without wet testing all the models I am considering.  Do dealers fill different models at different times?  Is it too much to ask of a dealer to do this.  These spas aren't cheap, and I certainly don't want to make a mistake regarding this purchase.


Not all dealers will do this at the drop of a hat but don't hesitate to ask. It's not a simple process to fill a spa, hook up electrical and then the real work of emptying it out when finished and cleaning it out to get it back to a dry floor model status as you need to get ALL the water back out.  It helps if the dealer thinks you are a serious customer as if they think you're doing it out of curiosity they'll be more reluctant due to the work involved.