I'm in time crunch in LA (lower Alabama;/ AL/FL panhandle area by PNS) (having slab poured and the electrician run power) and have to decide whether I should cancel the Aquaterra Fairfax 80 jet hottub from Costco for 5600$K all in (5000$ plus checmicals, getting it to the slab and tax) - everything just seems real good for money and good reviews but tore me up deciding whether to hit sale because it doesn't just wow me; we have had great luck though w/ approx 9 yr Eolution from Costco in MN
vs
Premium Leisure through closest spa dealer (I guess this company was just bought by LPI) Leisure's Edge 851 for (might be few hundred negotiable) roughly $6950 all in ($6595 + chemicals, hook up, delivery)
I think there's a local Dimension One dealer but I can't can't can't go up above $7k except for something spectacular- no idea these prices and kind of looks like not in business but is it worth it given budget?
The only place I know that wet tests carries Caldera (& Marquis) and best they have to offer dealer could think of for needs (floor model that happens to be in the colors like) on floor is Caldera Marino Vancanza Series $7527- I think this is all in. Sat in lounger dry and seat seemed ok, but from what recall seemed more like I would float than in the Pinnacle described below (that I sat in as idea of what the 851 lounger would be like)
What I love about the 851 LE is the dual lounges that configured differently with the adirondacs on side of either plus the captain shair with hip jets and just the variety (the one she quoted no Music, but has the lighting package extras); I have thoracic outlet syndrom and advanced arthritis but am very active (& tend to overdo) when I'm able and b/w pain and my activity, really need good wide variety of jets. Husband very active ski racer and needs the therapy too, but he's pretty good with any jets
My husband and I shared the lounger in the previous Costco and just love that the 851 has 2 loungers with seats adjoining them but we be with a few people really roomy and enjoy the captain chair for variety; and I think I'd like the lights. He's 6' and I'm 5'5". I was short in the Evolution
Dealer has a Pinnacle model- she said dealer said Pinnacle made by same company Premium Leisure (and just bought by LPI), and I sat in the lounger of one of those tubs which she said should be the same as LE851. I think that's closest to a test I can get. I saw a youtube video of an 850 and the series looks very angular and I think that'd be good but could see seats being too deep to converse with small # in pretty big tub etc too.
I worry about lots of mostly old but a few new really bad reviews on Premium Leisure. The dealer said she's sold about 600 (she's been in bus since 2004) and hasn't had any significant issues and they can take care of us- I don't think any of the bad reviews sounded like they worked with dealer (except 1 that went out of bus) but that seems weird when they say they are only available through a dealer. I guess a lot said bought at fairs etc.
Anyway you can probably tell, I want to feel sure about the LE851 but can't see before buy, don't know what we'd do if problems and dealer quit, etc, but I love the layout and the look of the jet placements. the 51 jets in this larger tub look like they'd be way better (compilation and the placement) than the 80 in the Costco
Weird to say on here but such good experience with the Evolution as far as very little down time or maintenance expenses- maybe spent $500-700 repairs at max over 8 yrs- that the Aquaterra seems safer though, less footprint (we like)
Any advice MUCH appreciated! Need to stop obsessing on this hottub!
