Should I buy a 1999 Toyota Epic 22?

[snscout]

I am looking at a 1999 Toyota Epic 22 with about 300 hours on it.  The boat looks really good for being this old and the owner says it has been well maintained.  I am not familiar with Toyota boats at all and I didn't even know they were made.  I read about the recall that Toyota did for the 1999 Epic 21 where they had a issue with the hull design, but I have not read anything like that about the Epic 22.  I am concerned about this being the first year that Toyota made boats and I am also concerned about being able to find parts down the road.  I read that Toyota would guarantee parts availability for 10 years but that was in 2001 so this is now the 10th year.  I would be interested in hearing from anyone that has experience with the 1999 Epic 22 regarding these issues and any other information you could supply.

Thanks

[skibeau]

Our family bought a '99 E22 in August of '07 with similar concerns.  Most of the parts in the boat are standard off the shelf parts like the bilge & sea water pumps, transmission, electrical system, lights, cables and most of the engine.  The only truly unique parts I can think of for these boats are the exhaust manifolds and the engine computer.  Some guys in Australia seem to have a source for the manifolds (plus they can be custom made).  So the only limited part is the engine computer.  Apparently Toyota programmed the computer with a proprietary system that hasn't been duplicated.  Fortunately, very few engine computers have failed.  Capt Rick had these parts available in 12/09.

http://www.epicmarine.com/forum4/index.php?topic=1479.msg15264#msg15264

Our boat has done remarkably well.  There's nothing out there with the same value, efficiency, reliability, quality and quiet.

[sailtl]

I would buy it! I have a 99 Epic 21 with over 1,200 hours on it and have NOT had any drive train problems, but I a do a lot of preventive maintenance per the book and what is recommended on this site.
Good luck!

[HCollado]

Go for it 

I bought our E22 new in 99 and have not had one bit of problems (knock, knock)  .

As mentioned, I stay on the maintenance stuff religiously.

[westtx]

I bought our 99 E22 4 years ago with 72 hours on it. Nearing 300 hours now and its been bulletproof -- nothing but routine maintenance.

[Lakeside]

We love ours!  We bought it used wondering the same things.  We've had no problem finding parts or service.  This site is really helpful, too.

[tealmobileE22]

Everywhere I go from gas stations to lakes, I get nothing but love for my Yota' .  People really like them and they don't break down like the Malibu's and Sanger's and other boats that I help tow in every day I'm on the lake.  Parts are reliable thanks to Capt Rick and Family on here and I love the speed of the Epic 22 that I own. I smash past Mastercraps all day long on the lake with the 4.0 liter gas efficient big boy under the hood.  It is my recommendation to buy the Toyota,otherwise send me a link to the boat because my best friend wants to buy one too ! Thank you and good luck with your Epic search!

[sxalberta]

On my second Toyota (SX22), no regrets what so ever and reliability has been great. No plans on replacing this one for a while, spent some  of the money I saved on not buying a Mastercraft on upgrades to the Toyota (pivoting tower racks, Wet sounds stereo system, billet tower mount mirror addtional ballast).  Boat turns heads where ever it goes and parts supply through Capt Rick has been great.   Go for it.

[curtis]

I might be interested in another 99' E-22. Mine has 579 hours on it, runs exceptionally well. The only problem is my twin  17 year old son & daughter want to use it all the time. They are getting "ripped". May be a SX22 or S-22 for me. Actually a good situation to be in.
Happy 4th  from Kansas!!