Ok, I am new here and this looks like a wonderful resouce for information. Please bear with me, I am strictly a newbie to spa repair or upgrading. Maybe some of you can help me make up my mind what to do.

My problem: I have a 13-14 year old Hot Springs spa that has recently succombed to a series of problems - mainly, the pump going out - but there are other things wrong with it as well. As is the case in a lot of posts I have read, the shell and cabinet are still in great shape, the guts just finally wore out. I would like to keep the tub, but I am unsure if I should have it repaired of dive hedfirst into an upgrade myself.

I called the local dealer to come give me an estimate to put the thing back like it was and they gave me an estimate of $850 to change the pump, replace a jet diverter valve, the moto-massage jet and some of the air filters. The heater and electronics are still all original.

I am wrestling with trying to figure out whether to just pay them to fix it or trying to upgrade the tub myself. One of the things I have always disliked about this tub is that it only has six jets and you can't even use them all at the same time. There is also no blower on this tub.

My question is, has anyone out there rebuilt or upgraded one of these Hot Springs spas (this is a Soverign - 5 person tub)? And, if so, how much trouble was it? If I decide to go with a spa pack, which ones would some of you recommend? An lastly, what pitfalls should I be on the lookout for?

Thanks so much for any help that you could provide!

Tiki Tubber