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R Series vs RX new boat decision

J

Joachim

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New boat purchase.
Been going back and forth on new boat order decision. 23RFB vs 23RXFB.
Both powered by 300 Mercury Verado with ESP pkg.
Non arch models due to low bridge clearance along chain of lakes. Both boats equipped equally but with approximately 26k price increase on the RX Sport model.
Any input from those who may have experience with these models. What does the RX bring to the table that justifies the 26k price difference? From what I can tell the difference seems to be in the exterior cladding but not sure what else?
This new boat will replace a 2017 22GSR ESP with a 200Hp Yamaha.
Thanks for any input .
 
ON the build your Benny feature, the standard specs at the end can be copied and pasted and resorted to get a great comparison - I must have spent 40 hours building spreadsheets and studying the catalog - and, that resulted in almost a perfect Benny (they did not have Lillypad ladders when I bought in 2021). I see the price differential is over $33K. A quick glance: Enhanced fencing design with integrated lights, power bimini, blackout package, Cladded captain seat, integrated lights (vs deck mounted), upgraded furniture (really, really important to sit and try the furniture differential - it pushed us to the LX over the L at the time). I saved about $15K by opting for the LX over the R - the only item I did not get was the integrated lights. I did not want the raised helm, the blackout for me was not important.
 
I haven't looked at the build site much this year, but in the past power arches were offered .
 
LaurencetheAdventurer said:
ON the build your Benny feature, the standard specs at the end can be copied and pasted and resorted to get a great comparison - I must have spent 40 hours building spreadsheets and studying the catalog - and, that resulted in almost a perfect Benny (they did not have Lillypad ladders when I bought in 2021). I see the price differential is over $33K. A quick glance: Enhanced fencing design with integrated lights, power bimini, blackout package, Cladded captain seat, integrated lights (vs deck mounted), upgraded furniture (really, really important to sit and try the furniture differential - it pushed us to the LX over the L at the time). I saved about $15K by opting for the LX over the R - the only item I did not get was the integrated lights. I did not want the raised helm, the blackout for me was not important.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your response.
Yes I have configured several builds.
The 23RFB I configured ended up adding all the items that the RX model has except for the 5k sport seating pkg. price tag was still $26k difference. Maybe the automotive style cladding is the big cost increase but not sure.
 
Generally speaking, more luxury models have a higher profit factor. That also means they get a larger discount!
 
There may not be much more different about it. It is cheaper to add options to the lower tier boat. The upper tier boat typically comes with higher base price, sometimes higher costs on adding options, and typically more options are opened up. Also, the styling piece is a premium.

When we got our boat in 2017, we got a pretty much loaded out model that was pretty much identical to the tier model above it. However, we saved nearly $10-12k in price simply because it was a heavily spec’d up lower model vs the nearly base next model up at the time.

The seating would really be worth checking out to see if it’s nicer/more comfortable. Beyond that, you are probably paying a premium for a “cooler looking” RX model.
 
Thanks for the input.
Yes it would be really nice to be able to see , touch and feel these differences.
The logic on the model down and add options seems to be making sense.
Still in decision mode.
In the next model down from the R the L or M.
Little confusing ???
 
This probably wont help you but .
In August of 2019 , I went to my dealer to order a 2020 RCW .He gave me a quote and I went home and got on the boat builder page. In the end I ended up with a better equipped QCW for less than 1K more than an R. The main reason was a larger % off on the Q vs the R .Things have changed a lot since . Ask your dealer about % off then go back to the boat builder.
 
1st your question: Next model down L or M? Confusing. It is. I will be honest, I am not positive. The L WAS the next model down. Then they added the 3 versions of the M series. I honestly see them as very intertwined at about the same level, but some different looks and features. I think they came out with an official pronouncement at some point, but I don’t exactly remember.

Jack hit another point. % off MSRP. Time of year, and dealership inventory can really impact a stellar or blah % of MSRP. As we are getting to mid summer and close to them recalibrating for 2027 production, I would think getting some good % off MSRP could be had. If one waited until fall, for end of season remaining inventory, best deals. However, there can be great deals on ordered boats (what we did) just to have guaranteed inventory flowing straight through for a sale. Highly recommend playing around and having some negotiation discussion with dealership - ideally more than 1 if you can, to get as good of a deal as possible. That can really flip the script sometimes.
 
Also ,check out the service departments if you have more than one dealer in your area .
At the time of my first Bennington I had 2 dealers about the same distance apart in opposite directions from me . The one west of me was $100.00 less for the exact boat . Their show room was a pole barn with other things scatter about ,service department was worse. I spent the extra $100.00 and I now live about 4 miles from that dealer.
 
One looks better than the other. Functionally speaking, maybe some slight upgrades but your question of whether the premium is justified - that depends on what matters most to you and your financial status. I'm sure the RX is the cat's hiney and if I had all the money in the world would be my choice over the regular R. But my reality was I was looking for a simple floating family room that could go fast and take a beating from fish guts and kids, all within a tight budget. So the luxury lines were out and had to make lots of compromises. If I had an extra $26K I probably would have splurged on a second jet boat that can run rivers.
 
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