Should I buy an M8??? Help!!!

[mulestar]

Well, I have been looking for a long time at getting a sled, been one of them annoying rental sled guys that rips around the parking lot in my 1993 checkered flag polaris jacket. Just kidding, actually not, I have that jacket, a friend of mine gave me the jacket as a joke cause my current sled is a 94 Polaris...

So, I believe it is time to update, actually the above sled makes me partial to Polaris cause she has been so good to me. The only thing is for the money I want to spend I cant get into the newer chassis of Polaris, and I dont want anything below an 07. (Why are the Polaris's so much coin in an 07 or newer?)

With that being said, I am currently looking at a 2007 m8. My brother has got me turned on to this Arctic Cat thing and I want to give it a go. My question is what can you guys tell me about the 07 that may give me fits, I am sure the diamond drive is an issue, and I heard they are a bit underpowered compared to other 800's. Other than that I believe they are pretty reliable, and that is what I am looking for. I am cool with all these things, show me a sled that does not have some sort of issue to contend with. I just find it weird that you can buy these 07's fairly cheap and an 08 is still pretty high priced.

Is there something I am not seeing with that year of sled that I should know about? I just want a sled that will have minimal issues, something I can rope and go. Is there any updates I should do if I get this sled? This one is bone stock, a pipe and can would be about the most I would want to do as mods.

I know I should probably post this in the Arctic Cat section, but I feel like I will get more honest answers here, dont want the guy that is a die hard Arctic Cat fan who wont admit to any faults they might have. They all have faults, just want to know about them.

Once again, a pre-thanks to all!

-Mulestar

 

[xrated]

fine sled

 

[sled-fiend]

Go for it!

Cluchting is way off on the 07's, the 08's have newer style running boards (same bumper etc though), I think the rear skid also changed from 07-08 (not 100% on that). Everyone always says the pre 2010 M8's are underpowered, yes the hrspwr is down but the M8's have great torque. I've had an 08 m8 and an 09 m8, I would love to have another one. If 07 is the year thats in your reach, put a 2 wheel kit and powerclaw (before the pipe kit), clutch it and ride the piss out of it!

 

[sledheadjake]

I picked up a 07 m8 this last year and rode the hell out of it this winter and just love the sled.They definetly do need some clutching though.Buy and have fun!

 

[Headrush]

PM me if you want - I love my 07 M8 and have it dialed in.

 

[MAC29]

Good sled. Should be able to find alot of good deals on m-8s. They made alot of them.

 

[m8magicandmystery]

vent it well...especially clutch side...install dalton adjustable wieghts and shift assist...install bdx steering post extra support bushing..light wieght silencer...then your set for a bit...

on mine i have 900 big bore ..all of the above...bdx oil delete...stm valves instead of power valves..boss seat..timbersled rear skid..bmp bigbore pipe..mesh hood...bdx rear bumper kit..fastlane running boards..and on and on..sled is currently 405 lbs...with future weight savings 0f 21 more pounds with timbersled frt skid and bdx light diamond drive...and then the boss n.o.s system...i just figure i would spend the money on mine rather then lose it trading up or selling low..so its really a good way to do it in many circumstances...and it will be a few years yet before any production sled will make me shed this sled...so yea the 07 m8 is a good sled..and with some dineroo its an amazing sled...i will admit though..the 2010 m8 with boss n. o.s. could make me unfaithful...for a spin anyway..

 

[xrated]

You dead set on the M8? What's your price range.

Here's an 06 M7 that is DIALED and about as clean a sled as you will find.
http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=214518

 

[mulestar]

I was looking at that sled too, but I can pick up the M8 for about $1500 less and it is like brand new. I would really like that M7, but I feel for now I cant go wrong with the M8, although it would be nice to just jump on and ride...oh decisions...

 

[WYsteph]

Th m7 is not a torque-y sled stock. Light and nimble, but in my experience if you are wanting a pull and go stock sled most bigger guys like the m8 better.

We are looking at buying a '07 m8 as a backup sled. Clutching, side panel vents, better boards, '10 cat seat are the items on my "must have" list.

 

[WyoBoy1000]

you can take any 07 800 and the m8 still keeps up, if you put a full pipe on all of them the m8 will take the cake. Like others said, put on a PC track and 09 style rear tunnel and bumper (you get the full potential of the PC with the rear tunnel mod, without it you wont) then the pipe. If you can do it all up front, you can do the clutching at the same time. If not, you will clutch first but have to reclutch after mods.

Inspect it well, pull the pipe and look in at the pistons for scaring, do a compression check, I would even go as far as buying dd oil before you buy it and tell the person you want to change it for them and look for metal. Some DD have problems but I've seen plenty without. Go off of overall condition. If the clutches havent been replaced in over 2000 miles its likely they will soon.

 

[mulestar]

Glad to see this thing is going well today, I cant suspect that there will be too much wrong with it wear wise, it has under 500 miles on it. Unless they pulled the odometer or something, but its not my first rodeo, I should be able to tell what a sled with that many miles should look like.

Everyone is saying clutching, I am wondering if this is just getting it dialed in with weights and springs etc, or are you all talking about an aftermarket clutch kit?

Pretty much if this dude still wants to sell I am going to purchase (he was kind of on the fence with this) if its what it is suppossed to be, so.......come on winter.......

How much $$$ for the tunnel and pc? BTW.

 

[rockdog2112]

Love mine. 08 M8 SP. 1340 miles.Never left me yet.

 

[Headrush]

07 will needs some minor mods (vents, RKT secondary and seat) but it rips!

 

[UtahEdge]

In my group that I ride with there are 3 07 M8's. 2 153's and 1 162. The 2 153's both have over 4,500 miles on them and they both just replaced the top ends last year just to prevent future burn downs. One of the 153's has a clutch kit, twins, and a fuel box and last year I watched him race a 2010 m8 5 times up a pretty good size hill. He SMOKED the 2010 m8 every single time. All 3 of my friends that have the 07 M8's love them.
Just my $0.02

 

[Polarisrocks]

NO

 

[snowmobiler]

buy my 1000 in the swapmeet and smoke m8s

 

[WyoBoy1000]

you should be able to get the PC for around $500 and the tunnel kit for less than $400. With the PC I don't run a snow flap, no need as it throws plenty of snow around, unless you ride long distances of dirt or sheer ice. so all you need is the rear tunnel piece, bumper, and kick outs. you will also need the 09 cooler. or mod yours to work. there are A/M kits also.

like said though, I would find a hold over 09 or 2010 and just have it all with a warranty, and you will have a sled that has everything to start with and will hold more value.