"Spa Drunk" Educate Me

[78Southwind]

We went to the Los Angeles Fair this last weekend and checked out a couple different spas. Now that I am "Spa Drunk":D any one want to give their $.02 on what the pro and cons are and the must haves when it comes to spas. I am on a budget btw.

[Quest4Fun]

I've been "spa drunk" on a few occasions. :D

[Big Warlock]

Marriott at Dana Point, excellent spa, good service and great place to hang out for an overnight or weekend. Not too too crazy expensive. I like the spa where you can get a treatment or two and then hang out in the spa area with steam bath, jacuzzi, etc. etc. Our gym is a complete spa facility as well.
My .02

[Cole Trickle]

lol....not sure your getting the info you want;):D
http://www.whatsthebest-hottub.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=wtb-hottub
Top of the line brands include Sundance,Jacuzzi
If you look used you will find some good deals. I haven't bought one yet but when I do I can't justify 10K.

[gramps]

Hot Springs. They last forever. But not cheap.

[Froggystyle]

I bought a really nice Cal Spa 10 seater about four years ago at a show. Great spa, but boy does it cost a lot of money to run...
We ended up shutting it off to see what the bill did. Went from $380/month to $230. No question about why either. $350+ for 18 months, $250 and under since. During summer... with two air conditioners. Looks like it costs less to run air condition than it does to own a spa.
We may get rid of it...

[bocco]

Had very good luck with a Dimension One spa. Got 15 years before the pump motor finally lost a bearing. The first major problem was the heater element and that lasted amost 9 years.
Might be worth checking with your local pool and spa repair place. See what their opinion is. And which ones they stock parts for and are most familiar with.

[boats&bars]

Lifespas in Chino, I cant say enough, you do have to make an appointment and learn how they are made but it was worth it. I almost got a 6 person cal spas last year $8800 with all the fixins, the next weekend I got my lifespa $5000 delivered. the exact same spa and pumps. pm me. I can save you some money. They even have a basic $1750 O.T.D. six seater that I get for my flip houses.

[Community]

Not sure if they make one, but NG sure heats up faster than electric and if its real cold out, it also stays hot. I have only seen them when attached to an in-ground pool.
Mine is wired at 220 so it can run the heat and jets at the same time and is suppose to be more efficient.

[Cole Trickle]

Lifespas in Chino, I cant say enough, you do have to make an appointment and learn how they are made but it was worth it. I almost got a 6 person cal spas last year $8800 with all the fixins, the next weekend I got my lifespa $5000 delivered. the exact same spa and pumps. pm me. I can save you some money. They even have a basic $1750 O.T.D. six seater that I get for my flip houses.
I have seen there adds and website.
How is the operating cost? (Electrical)

[jaimer00]

I bought my lifespa in Chino a little over 2 years ago, I got a great deal and have had no problems with it ever.

[Ziggy]

lol....not sure your getting the info you want;):D
http://www.whatsthebest-hottub.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=wtb-hottub
Top of the line brands include Sundance,Jacuzzi
If you look used you will find some good deals. I haven't bought one yet but when I do I can't justify 10K.Same website we used while shopping. You can get more info than you'd ever think on that website...We had plenty of questions and after many hours and days of looking we bought a Caldera, been very happy with it.
Oh, and the one thing you really want to do is "wet test" any one you are really considering. Take your suits to the store and they'll let you test it. Sitting in dry seats doesn't tell you the feel you're gonna get when the jets are on..

[Cole Trickle]

Same website we used while shopping. You can get more info than you'd ever think on that website...We had plenty of questions and after many hours and days of looking we bought a Caldera, been very happy with it.
Oh, and the one thing you really want to do is "wet test" any one you are really considering. Take your suits to the store and they'll let you test it. Sitting in dry seats doesn't tell you the feel you're gonna get when the jets are on..
Same way I picked a wife;):D:eek:

[Big Warlock]

Well looks like I screwed up!! I thought you were looking to go to a spa. My bad.
I would buy a used spa. You will not get your money out of a new one. Often times you can get a good buy on a used one in good shape and pay a 1/3 of what a new one is. They have shops around that renovate spas as well. There are some pretty cool spas out there.
Sorry about the earlier post.
Rob

[smoker]

What Wes said.
I bought a big Cal Spa. Costs a bunch to run. Noisy. Not insulated all that well, and just flat out cheaply made. I have regretted the purchase since day one.
Prior to this one, I owned a Hot Springs. It's the best of everything. If I had it to do all over again, I'd go Hot Springs.
Cost Co had Hot Springs on their web site few months ago. A Highlife model for 7K I think it was. Their a little pricey but well worth it in my opinion.

[Sherpa]

pickup bed with a line-a-bed plastic bedliner...... tape up all holes and
tailgate openings.....
fill with water......... use old scrounged above-ground pool pump......
there ya go......... hey, you said you were on a budget..
--Sherpa

[djunkie]

Same way I picked a wife;):D:eek:
Nice... Mind if I test her out this weekend? :jawdrop: :D :D
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/10158motorboat.gif

[Cole Trickle]

Nice... Mind if I test her out this weekend? :jawdrop: :D :D
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/10158motorboat.gif
Her ring finger says she is off the market and no more motor boat testing!!!
Christina on the other hand is welcome to give them a try if I am in the room and have my camera handy;):D:devil:

[djunkie]

Her ring finger says she is off the market and no more motor boat testing!!!
Christina on the other hand is welcome to give them a try if I am in the room and have my camera handy;):D:devil:
I'll go for that. If I'm in the Front row. :D :D

[78Southwind]

I am basically looking for a spa with at least 50 jets and enough HP in the motors so you can get a decent message. Of course I want a spa with good workmanship, a warrantee and at a reasonable price.
This is the information that I have received so far:
Before I started doing my research I saw this article about the Avalon being the Best Buy from Consumers Digest < http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6431840.html>
Cal Spas
Because of the pervious article I decided to stop by Cal Spas first to see what they had. They had a great selection of spas probably the biggest at the L.A Fair. The sales man steered me to the Escape (http://www.calspas.com/hot_tubs/detail~a~250.htm) which is similar to the Avalon (http://www.calspas.com/hot_tubs/detail~a~209.htm) but is less money and had three more jets.
http://www.calspas.com/hot_tubs/images/series/large/E860L.jpg
The salesman said that, “the Escape was a better buy than the Avalon at the Fair because it was made especially for the Los Angeles Fair and it was probably going to replace the Avalon". So the first thing that comes to my mind when he steers me a way is bait and switch, however; the Escape did seem like a nice spa. The Escape is price at $6,999 but he said $5,999 plus tax is what they are selling them for at the Fair. However, I have found out by taking to other dealers that there seems to be a lot of mark up on spas so I am sure there is a little more wiggle room.
I’ll get to the others when I have more time.

[78Southwind]

lol....not sure your getting the info you want;):D
http://www.whatsthebest-hottub.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=wtb-hottub
Top of the line brands include Sundance,Jacuzzi
If you look used you will find some good deals. I haven't bought one yet but when I do I can't justify 10K.
Thanks for the link.....:D

[coolchange]

I bought a really nice Cal Spa 10 seater about four years ago at a show. Great spa, but boy does it cost a lot of money to run...
We ended up shutting it off to see what the bill did. Went from $380/month to $230. No question about why either. $350+ for 18 months, $250 and under since. During summer... with two air conditioners. Looks like it costs less to run air condition than it does to own a spa.
We may get rid of it...
Thats why I by-passd the electric and plumbed in a gas heater. 250 btu small pool sized that goes from idle to temp in 45- 60 minutes. But I only use it a couple of times a month.

[Redneck]

my spa tends to get some people drunk and it wasnt to bad the bose surround sound makes the neigbors hate me lol

[OGShocker]

Stay away from LA Spas. We bought thier "Top of the Line" 11 seater. Whata POS! IMLO

[BOBALOO]

Sundance spa here, 330 gallons, ALWAYS HOT, and our bill went up about 15 bucks a month. I've had it 4 years and would buy another.
Look up www.whatsthebesthottub.com for more info thar you can handle.

[Charley]

I bought a spa while drunk at the OC fair about 7 years ago..... DONT DO IT
I had to cut eves off my house to get it in, I had to run power, I had to lay pavers.... the covers never last, the jets will eventually leak which is why mine got sawz-alled and hauled to the dump in about 16 lil tiny spas about 2 months ago... I am now re-doing my backyard... WITHOUT A SPA
sorry to rain on your parade, but just wanted to share :)

[OGShocker]

I bought a spa while drunk at the OC fair about 7 years ago..... DONT DO IT
I had to cut eves off my house to get it in, I had to run power, I had to lay pavers.... the covers never last, the jets will eventually leak which is why mine got sawz-alled and hauled to the dump in about 16 lil tiny spas about 2 months ago... I am now re-doing my backyard... WITHOUT A SPA
sorry to rain on your parade, but just wanted to share :)
LOL, you sound as bitter as I...:D

[phebus]

Our last spa was a Hotsprings and it was great, and or new spa is a Jacuzzi and I use it almost every day and it's really good also.
Spend the money and get a spa from a company that has been making them for a long time and has their engineering down. A spa is more then just parts and should be designed for optimal use.

[HMF'er]

I have owned a CalSpa for about 7 or 8 years and it has worked good for us. I remember dealing with CalSpas when we first bought it and they delivered some wrong accessories. The delivery people that showed up repeatedly with the wrong stuff would tell me I had to call to correct the delivery and it was a pain in the arse to speak to a live person through their automated phone system. I was always transferred to voice mails and never got calls back. My experience with the factory made me swear I will never buy a CalSpas product again.

[socalmoney]

Turn that hull you have on the side yard into a hot tub.
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=38919&stc=1&d=1189527751

[socalmoney]

This one is mobile
http://www.***boat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=38924&stc=1&d=1189534321

[boats&bars]

I have seen there adds and website.
How is the operating cost? (Electrical)
Its not bad $30 in the summer $60 in the winter. it might be less in a warmer climate. in in a canyon.

[boats&bars]

why so many jets? your electric bill will be thru the roof. my parents had one with 40 jets and had lots of problems and the electric bill jumped $120.I am basically looking for a spa with at least 50 jets and enough HP in the motors so you can get a decent message. Of course I want a spa with good workmanship, a warrantee and at a reasonable price.
This is the information that I have received so far:
Before I started doing my research I saw this article about the Avalon being the Best Buy from Consumers Digest < http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6431840.html>
Cal Spas
Because of the pervious article I decided to stop by Cal Spas first to see what they had. They had a great selection of spas probably the biggest at the L.A Fair. The sales man steered me to the Escape (http://www.calspas.com/hot_tubs/detail~a~250.htm) which is similar to the Avalon (http://www.calspas.com/hot_tubs/detail~a~209.htm) but is less money and had three more jets.
http://www.calspas.com/hot_tubs/images/series/large/E860L.jpg
The salesman said that, “the Escape was a better buy than the Avalon at the Fair because it was made especially for the Los Angeles Fair and it was probably going to replace the Avalon". So the first thing that comes to my mind when he steers me a way is bait and switch, however; the Escape did seem like a nice spa. The Escape is price at $6,999 but he said $5,999 plus tax is what they are selling them for at the Fair. However, I have found out by taking to other dealers that there seems to be a lot of mark up on spas so I am sure there is a little more wiggle room.
I’ll get to the others when I have more time.

[boats&bars]

why so many jets? your electric bill will be thru the roof. my parents had one with 40 jets and had lots of problems and the electric bill jumped $120.I am basically looking for a spa with at least 50 jets and enough HP in the motors so you can get a decent message. Of course I want a spa with good workmanship, a warrantee and at a reasonable price.
This is the information that I have received so far:
Before I started doing my research I saw this article about the Avalon being the Best Buy from Consumers Digest < http://www.casualliving.com/article/CA6431840.html>
Cal Spas
Because of the pervious article I decided to stop by Cal Spas first to see what they had. They had a great selection of spas probably the biggest at the L.A Fair. The sales man steered me to the Escape (http://www.calspas.com/hot_tubs/detail~a~250.htm) which is similar to the Avalon (http://www.calspas.com/hot_tubs/detail~a~209.htm) but is less money and had three more jets.
http://www.calspas.com/hot_tubs/images/series/large/E860L.jpg
The salesman said that, “the Escape was a better buy than the Avalon at the Fair because it was made especially for the Los Angeles Fair and it was probably going to replace the Avalon". So the first thing that comes to my mind when he steers me a way is bait and switch, however; the Escape did seem like a nice spa. The Escape is price at $6,999 but he said $5,999 plus tax is what they are selling them for at the Fair. However, I have found out by taking to other dealers that there seems to be a lot of mark up on spas so I am sure there is a little more wiggle room.
I’ll get to the others when I have more time.

[Riverdog1]

my spa tends to get some people drunk and it wasnt to bad the bose surround sound makes the neigbors hate me lol
Ya, that too and attracts police officers in the middle of the night on Tuedsdays.:D :D

[Classic Daycruiser]

I bought a really nice Cal Spa 10 seater about four years ago at a show. Great spa, but boy does it cost a lot of money to run...
We ended up shutting it off to see what the bill did. Went from $380/month to $230. No question about why either. $350+ for 18 months, $250 and under since. During summer... with two air conditioners. Looks like it costs less to run air condition than it does to own a spa.
We may get rid of it...
You probably have an electrical heater. If that is the case, you need to put the heater on a timer. Trying to keep a spa at 104 degrees will run you $100 a month.
In the beginning you will use it a lot, but after the fun wears off, set it up so that it turns on once a week, a few hours before your ready to use it.
You'll notice it now only costing you about $15-20 a month to run.

[Parker Dreamin]

Make sure the spa has at least two big cartridge filters, a spa with 50 jets and a s h i t t y filter system will be no good. I have a Diamante Spa, paid about $5K for it and love it.

[78Southwind]

Lifespas in Chino, I cant say enough, you do have to make an appointment and learn how they are made but it was worth it. I almost got a 6 person cal spas last year $8800 with all the fixins, the next weekend I got my lifespa $5000 delivered. the exact same spa and pumps. pm me. I can save you some money. They even have a basic $1750 O.T.D. six seater that I get for my flip houses.
A friend of ours also recommended Lifespas. I went by there a couple days ago but you have to make an appointment to see any of the spas. So how can you save us some money?

[78Southwind]

I bought a spa while drunk at the OC fair about 7 years ago..... DONT DO IT
I had to cut eves off my house to get it in, I had to run power, I had to lay pavers.... the covers never last, the jets will eventually leak which is why mine got sawz-alled and hauled to the dump in about 16 lil tiny spas about 2 months ago... I am now re-doing my backyard... WITHOUT A SPA
sorry to rain on your parade, but just wanted to share :)
So that’s why there was a beer vender across from every spa dealer at the L.A. Fair.:idea: :jawdrop: :D

[speedymopars]

LA spas all the way. I have had some issues with mine, mostly due to wear and tear, and they gave me new parts no problem almost 7 years after I bought it (LA Spas is in fullerton). Probably one of the best purchases (non investment type) that I have ever made.
I have a 440 gal 8 person model (concord). From the treatment I've gotten, I will only buy an LA spa next time.
Mine is 220 V 50A service required - It does run up the bill when we are using it every day for hours and hours - but over all it is between 30-50 bucks a month on average. Also - the question came up why so many jets - that will only be spoken by someone who has never sat in a good spa with lots of jets :-).
When you are looking for a spa, forget the models with a lay down seat - you will find you float and they are useless. Buy it from floor plan of the spa, the other crap is not as important.
I have the upgraded LED lights (I upgraded it last year) and the stereo. I didn't get the CD changer though, I use a www.pcs-electronics.com FM tuner with an MP3 player. It allows me to play MP3's off of my PC, FM stereo broadcast them on 88.3, and pick it up on the FM reciever.
I personally like the concord, best seating arrangement I have found. Very comfy for 4-6 people, 10 fit.
http://www.laspas.com/las_spas_concord.asp

[TCHB]

My advice
I have had one over 20 years and love it.
1. Keep it simple and it will be reliable
2. No wood on the outside
3. The only thing we had to replace was the 1HP motor. Same heater over 20 years.
I like the blue colors becase it makes the water look better.
We have the typical two inch think lid that really works pretty good.
110V or 220V is ok.
Cost to run per month Average around $25 in HB.
Costco or Sams Club

[TCHB]

Yes I second no lay down seats!