www.iFourWinns.com

Well, we finally bought a boat. First one we have ever owned, if your going to do it, GO BIG OR GO HOME!! We live in SC and went to a boat show, bad idea if you really want one, and just got an offer we could refuse.
I opted for the 4.3MPI Mer engine and went with the standard seating, needed a little more floor room for the dogs.
Just was wondering if I should have upgraded to the VP or the Mer will be just fine?

Thanks for the great site and happy to be entering the FourWinns family.

Merc will be fine, however, IMHO, Volvo makes a better product. Big difference between the Alpha that you most likely get with the Merc and the SX of the Volvo.

Either will service you well.

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

Okay. I think I might give the dealer a call and see if it is still possible to switch the engines, it mgiht not be possible at this point. But wont hurt to try.

Thanks for the info

Update-

Called the dealer and he said it would be no problem to go to the VP 4.3GXi/SX 225HP. The only down fall is the extra warranty that I got with the Mer isnt being offered for the VP.

Also got the build date of March 8th, this is going to be one LONG wait

I suggest pushing your dealer to pay for at least part of the Volvo 2+4 warranty. They might say no, but it can't hurt to try. Merc & VP both make great products, but I think you did the right thing switching to VP.

Your build date's 4 weeks away - pretty short compared to what most of us have endured!

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Mike hit the nail on the head. The "Extended Warranty" is really nothing but a service contract with what can be a bunch of exclusions. FPC covers the Volvo 2+4 service contract for Volvo. These contracts are a cash cow for the dealer, near pure profit same as the "extended warranty" from Best Buy, Sears or Circuit City. They do come in handy at times. I've used mine twice, alternator repair and ignintion coil replacment. I got mine free from Volvo for trouble I had with my port engine so I'm definitely ahead of the game.

Push hard on the contract and they should be able to cut the price considerably. You also DO NOT have to take the contract from them. Any dealer can write the contract. I'm betting if after you ask about a good discounted price on it and they say NO, them simple tell them, "Fine, not a problem, I'll shop another dealer and see if I can find it cheaper". Some profit (for no work other than filling out the application and submitting it) is better than No Profit!

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Jvalich
http://www.badcock.com

'04 FW 288 Vista "Mental Floss"

Uhm...never thought of it that way. Will make sure to really look into what they have and what I can get ou of them. Thanks for the heads up on it!

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2007 200 Horizon- 4.3GXi/SX 225hp
2007 Tahoe LT

Well I was told March 8th is the build date. Why cant they just start now!!! I mean four weeks until start date and another 4 to build. UGH!!
Well at least it is still cold, I would be really pullign my hair out if it was nice outside.

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2007 200 Horizon- 4.3GXi/SX 225hp
2007 Tahoe LT

This'll give you some time to plan for things like what size and how many fenders & lines to buy, what kind of toys, anchors, hitch locks, how you'll plan to do trailer wheel bearing maintenance, what to do with your batteries during the winter so they don't freeze, etc., etc., etc., etc.

See? Now don't you feel like you're all relaxed and making lifetime memories?

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Well...NO....cause I am sitting at work thinking of being on the water, get a lot of work done that way!
Oh I cannot wait to go shopping for all of the goodies....like a kid in a candy store. Bestbuy, Lowes are my favorite stores, what guy doesn't like those, probably will be adding a boat store in a couple of weeks to that list!

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2007 200 Horizon- 4.3GXi/SX 225hp
2007 Tahoe LT

It has been two weeks and I am starting to pull my hair out. The weather here has gotten a lot better, today it is 70ish. Perfect weather to start on the 20 hours...

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2007 200 Horizon- 4.3GXi/SX 225hp
2007 Tahoe LT

It's a good thing you didn't order in the fall!

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I don't know how to take that Mike. Either be really happy that I didnt or be mad cause your making fun of my pain here...

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2007 200 Horizon- 4.3GXi/SX 225hp
2007 Tahoe LT

Certainly not making fun! I had to wait about 3 months and that was just hell. I expected a lot of work with boat ownership, but even I didn't realize how much. Now that I'm two years in, I look back and think, "it would've been ok if they'd taken just a little longer" LOL. It's easy for me to talk when I'm not the one who has to do the waiting this time LOLOLOL.

I think you're stressed even more than I was, so it would've made for a LONG winter... thus "it's a good thing you didn't order in the fall." Just pokin' a stick at ya!

As soon as you pull into the parking lot and see it the first time, you'll instantly forget the wait. Then the daunting effect of it all will begin to hit you LOL.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

THANKS MIKE

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2007 200 Horizon- 4.3GXi/SX 225hp
2007 Tahoe LT