We bought a used Caldera Utopia Geneva around 3.5 years ago. Shell and jets all function properly, I replaced the heater and circ pump not long after we bought it. It has developed a leak that lowers the water level close to 2" a day. It also intermittently stops heating/running and the panel flashes "- - - -", we are unsure if this is related to the leak/the water level getting too low. We've had a tech come take a look. He believes it is a leaking diverter, but two visits and $300 later his work made no impact on the issues.
We've enjoyed the tub, but are weary of the hassle topping off the tub every other day, especially since we have to run the hose through the house to do it since it's winter. We are tired of getting all set to use the tub only to find the panel flashing and the water cool. Being that the tub is 10 years old, we aren't sure it's worth it to keep paying to try and fix it.
We've started to price out new tubs. We don't want a lounge this time around. We looked at MasterSpas but I was turned off by the salesman, who spent more time telling us why other manufacturers were awful than why masterspas were quality. We looked at a local Caldera/Hot Springs dealer. We went in wanting to see the Niagara, the Vanguard and the Pulse. We prefer the Hot Springs no bypass filtration to to paper media of the Niagara and Pulse. We wet tested a Grandee to try out the moto-massage and loved the handheld remote, which isn't an option on the Vanguard.
We were offered the Grandee we wet tested. 2017 model, cover lift, stairs, 3 month start up chemicals, 25% off total purchase of any other accessories, haul away of our old tub for $10,800 plus tax with a further discount if we paid in cash (which we plan to do). Based on the posts I've read here, that seems reasonable. That said, it's a lot more than if we invested to fix what we have. At what age is it no longer worth it to sink $$ into a hot tub repair?
We've enjoyed the tub, but are weary of the hassle topping off the tub every other day, especially since we have to run the hose through the house to do it since it's winter. We are tired of getting all set to use the tub only to find the panel flashing and the water cool. Being that the tub is 10 years old, we aren't sure it's worth it to keep paying to try and fix it.
We've started to price out new tubs. We don't want a lounge this time around. We looked at MasterSpas but I was turned off by the salesman, who spent more time telling us why other manufacturers were awful than why masterspas were quality. We looked at a local Caldera/Hot Springs dealer. We went in wanting to see the Niagara, the Vanguard and the Pulse. We prefer the Hot Springs no bypass filtration to to paper media of the Niagara and Pulse. We wet tested a Grandee to try out the moto-massage and loved the handheld remote, which isn't an option on the Vanguard.
We were offered the Grandee we wet tested. 2017 model, cover lift, stairs, 3 month start up chemicals, 25% off total purchase of any other accessories, haul away of our old tub for $10,800 plus tax with a further discount if we paid in cash (which we plan to do). Based on the posts I've read here, that seems reasonable. That said, it's a lot more than if we invested to fix what we have. At what age is it no longer worth it to sink $$ into a hot tub repair?
