Tub Decision

[StevieT]

Having a tough time on a first time hot tub decision.

We are here in Ontario Canada and have 3 tubs that are real contenders for our situation.

Jacuzzi J495 2015 Model Full warranty 17k plus 13% tax

Sundance Aspen 2016 20k tax in

2014 Gleam Twilight Series 16k Tax in or the 2016 Gleam Twilight Series for 21k taxes in

Trying to figure what tub is the best price for the money. Have wet tested the Jacuzzi wife finds she was floating and struggling to keep herself in the seats. Unfortunately can't wet test the others as they have no floor models at the dealers for the other tubs.

Any help and suggestions before my head explodes would be great and appreciated
Cheers  ;D

 

[StevieT]

Quite surprised 90 views but no opinions on the pricing or the best bang for the buck. I realize that it's Canadian money but price separation should be close.

 

[Tman122]

You've narrowed it to two already because the wife didn't like the Jacuzzi. Wow that's a lot of money.

 

[39lasalle]

Not what canadian dollar is worth but screw that 13% tax

39

 

[Hottubguy]

I think you would be a fool to spend 20k on something without being able to at least sit in it first

 

[StevieT]

Yes I agree about the tax for sure really sucks.

Testing the other tubs is an issue I have as well. Can't try it before buying truly blows.

Any thoughts on the actual tubs though? Thinking of re wet testing the J495 and perhaps changing the water flow and pressure and see if that might help the wife's situation.

Prices seem higher than U.S. even with the exchange.
Here in Ontario it appears the Jacuzzi franchise is locked up to one company so no price deals which is basically like a monopoly. Sad in my opinion

Any opinions on the actual tubs themselves? Which is better quality? Or pretty much equal ?

Thanks in Advance

 

[DKRanger22]

They're all good quality makes/models.  Price really does seem high, so I'd continue shopping and look for other options that will allow you wet tests.  Marquis, Bullfrog and Caldera are some other good makes to consider.  I'd look for dealers in your area and expand the search.  Don't buy without wet testing.

ETA:  the Gleam model is a Limelight series model from Hot Springs.  Twilight is a series of Master Spa.

 

[Spatech_tuo]

They're all good quality makes/models.  Price really does seem high, so I'd continue shopping and look for other options that will allow you wet tests.  Marquis, Bullfrog and Caldera are some other good makes to consider.  I'd look for dealers in your area and expand the search.  Don't buy without wet testing.

ETA:  the Gleam model is a Limelight series model from Hot Springs.  Twilight is a series of Master Spa.

Certainly there's a big difference (to many of us) as to whether that's really a Hot Springs or a Master.

 

[Hottubguy]

Do you have any other dealers with different brands. Maybe a Caldera dealer with a cantabria, marquis dealer with a epic or euphoria or a bullfrog dealer with a A8. Dimension one is another quality brand. Do you have any of those other brands in the area

 

[StevieT]

Caldera dealer is the same one as the Hot Springs Dealer . Looking at the Gleam cause we do alot of entertaining. Looking for a 8+ seater

Bullfrog dealer in the same city so will have to check into that one as well.

Prices to me seem high but I think its cause of the size of the tub we are looking into.

Regards
  Steve

 

[Hottubguy]

Prices is are high but it's also the Canadian dollar that hurts.

 

[Tman122]

D1, Arctic?

 

[StevieT]

2016 Caldera Spas Utopia Cantabria
http://www.calderaspas.com/shop/utopia/cantabria
REGULAR PRICE – $23,399
- Cover (included)
- Starter Chemical Kit ($200, included)
- Local Delivery & Setup ($450, included up to 50 km from the closest showroom)
- GFCI panel ($350, included)
- ProLift Cover Lifter ($550, included)
PACKAGE PRICE - $24,949
    My Price  $19,499 or $81.36 biweekly
2016 Hot Springs Limelight Gleam
http://www.hotspring.com/shop-hot-tub-models/limelight/8-person-large-hot-tub-gleam
REGULAR PRICE – $21,959
- Cover (included)
- Starter Chemical Kit ($200, included)
- Local Delivery & Setup ($450, included up to 50 km from the closest showroom)
- GFCI panel ($350, included)
- Cover Cradle III Lifter ($550, included)
PACKAGE PRICE - $23,509 
  My Price - $18,299 or $76.35 biweekly

Looking into the Bullfrog A8.  Hoping for tomorrow or Tuesday

 

[Hottubguy]

2016 Caldera Spas Utopia Cantabria
http://www.calderaspas.com/shop/utopia/cantabria
REGULAR PRICE – $23,399
- Cover (included)
- Starter Chemical Kit ($200, included)
- Local Delivery & Setup ($450, included up to 50 km from the closest showroom)
- GFCI panel ($350, included)
- ProLift Cover Lifter ($550, included)
PACKAGE PRICE - $24,949
    My Price  $19,499 or $81.36 biweekly
2016 Hot Springs Limelight Gleam
http://www.hotspring.com/shop-hot-tub-models/limelight/8-person-large-hot-tub-gleam
REGULAR PRICE – $21,959
- Cover (included)
- Starter Chemical Kit ($200, included)
- Local Delivery & Setup ($450, included up to 50 km from the closest showroom)
- GFCI panel ($350, included)
- Cover Cradle III Lifter ($550, included)
PACKAGE PRICE - $23,509 
  My Price - $18,299 or $76.35 biweekly

Looking into the Bullfrog A8.  Hoping for tomorrow or Tuesday

How long are those payments for?  The rest of your life?  I'm a caldera dealer so US dollars the cantabria is being offered at a little under $15k. That's actually fairly in line with what they sell for

 

[StevieT]

Not really sure how long.. Would be paying cash on the spot. And yes with the conversion would be pretty close I figured it out to just under 15k around 14667.00

 

[scoobywagon02]

The Cantabria and Gleem are different spas. They are by no means the same tub. The Cantabria is a top tier Caldera and the Gleem is a mid tier stripped down Hot Spring. Same warranty and insulation but jets couldn't be more different. In my opinion for the money the Cantabria is best choice hands down. I have wet tested and sold both brands. Make sure it is a reputable dealer. Prices are really high you must be financing 0%. The ultra massure lounge seat in the Cantabria is incredible.

 

[DKRanger22]

The Cantabria and Gleem are different spas. They are by no means the same tub. The Cantabria is a top tier Caldera and the Gleem is a mid tier stripped down Hot Spring. Same warranty and insulation but jets couldn't be more different. In my opinion for the money the Cantabria is best choice hands down. I have wet tested and sold both brands. Make sure it is a reputable dealer. Prices are really high you must be financing 0%. The ultra massure lounge seat in the Cantabria is incredible.

I explored both tubs in depth, and while I agree with your ultimate conclusion (I also preferred the Cantabria to the Gleam), I disagree that the Caldera is "way better".  To me, they're so similar, it really comes down to the wet test.  The thing that I liked most about the Cantabria was that each seat was well-defined as opposed to the bench-style seating of the Gleam.  The jets are different, but both have pluses and minuses (I did enjoy the Moto-massage of the Gleam very much).

 

[StevieT]

Finding huge price differences with all different tubs and Mfg's

So here is the break down

2015 Jacuzzi J495 17k  Floor Model
2016 Jacuzzi J495 21k  Floor Model

2016 Hot Springs Gleam 18k new order
2016 Caldera Cantabria  20k

Just got off the phone with the local Bullfrog Dealer Base Model A8 17k new 3 week order

Gonna try and do a wet test before buying A8 but they only have an A6L is there truly much of a difference in the tubs? Besides the size and seating capacity.

 

[39lasalle]

Just got off the phone with the local Bullfrog Dealer Base Model A8 17k new 3 week order

Gonna try and do a wet test before buying A8 but they only have an A6L is there truly much of a difference in the tubs? Besides the size and seating capacity.
[/quote]

I dont think you would notice. We wet tested the R7lL and bought the A7L.    Pretty much the same but with an extra jetpack, different keypad and exterior light

 

[Hottubguy]

Finding huge price differences with all different tubs and Mfg's

So here is the break down

2015 Jacuzzi J495 17k  Floor Model
2016 Jacuzzi J495 21k  Floor Model

2016 Hot Springs Gleam 18k new order
2016 Caldera Cantabria  20k

Just got off the phone with the local Bullfrog Dealer Base Model A8 17k new 3 week order

Gonna try and do a wet test before buying A8 but they only have an A6L is there truly much of a difference in the tubs? Besides the size and seating capacity.

I'm not a bullfrog guy but I think the A6 only has a single pump versus dual pumps on the A8. I'm sure Jim or twincities will be able to answer that better then me