What used Skidoo would you buy under $5k?

[bowhunter11199]

Currently (with some hesitation) looking at a 14’ Polaris Pro with 700 miles and multiple arctic cat proclimbs M800/8000.

From my research I’ve heard 12’+ etec are “bullet proof” other than needing the skidoo clutch service kit at approx 2k miles. I’ve been looking for skidoo’s under 1500 mile but those seem hard to find under $5k

What skidoo would you buy and why? What’s the max amount of miles you’d consider? Anything specific I should be looking for when looking at one?

 

[bowhunter11199]

18 views and no thoughts?

 

[SnoKing]

After owning 49 Polaris 2 strokes and 1 of their 4 stroke turbos during 40 years of riding, in 2012 I switched to SKIDOO 4 strokes. (not recommended for deep snow though)

I found the Polaris 600 2 stroke to be very reliable, and dependable. Excellent performance. Last one I had was a 2011 Pro S. They were not as fuel efficient back then as the SKIDOO.

With you posting on SNOWEST I assume you will be riding off trail in deep snow. That would call for at least 144 inch track and minimum 1=3/8 inch lug. That would be about the limit for either 600.

Now if you are really planning deep snow riding min 155 x 1=3/4 track an 800cc.

Stay away from Polaris 800rds from 05 thru about 2014. Very few of their 900rds in 05 or o6 were reliable.

You will get more specific recommendations if you specify what type of riding you will be doing.

If you will be a trail rider than check out Hard Core Sledders

 

[WyoRado]

Now is the time of year to be patient and find great deals. Looking in the used doo world, I'd try to find a 154 or 163 T3. They were made in 2015 and 2016, def the best version of the XM platform.

 

[bowhunter11199]

After owning 49 Polaris 2 strokes and 1 of their 4 stroke turbos during 40 years of riding, in 2012 I switched to SKIDOO 4 strokes. (not recommended for deep snow though)

I found the Polaris 600 2 stroke to be very reliable, and dependable. Excellent performance. Last one I had was a 2011 Pro S. They were not as fuel efficient back then as the SKIDOO.

With you posting on SNOWEST I assume you will be riding off trail in deep snow. That would call for at least 144 inch track and minimum 1=3/8 inch lug. That would be about the limit for either 600.

Now if you are really planning deep snow riding min 155 x 1=3/4 track an 800cc.

Stay away from Polaris 800rds from 05 thru about 2014. Very few of their 900rds in 05 or o6 were reliable.

You will get more specific recommendations if you specify what type of riding you will be doing.

If you will be a trail rider than check out Hard Core Sledders

You are correct, I enjoy riding off trail as much as possible. My minimum track length is 150s with atleast a 2” lug. I’m only about 165lbs so I can get away with a 600 CC (rented a Polaris RMK pro 600 155) and it had enough power for spring snow but I’m leaning toward an 800 so I can ride the deep powder days without issues.

 

[bowhunter11199]

Now is the time of year to be patient and find great deals. Looking in the used doo world, I'd try to find a 154 or 163 T3. They were made in 2015 and 2016, def the best version of the XM platform.

Is the used doo world a forum?

 

[WyoRado]

I didn't mean a specific forum, rather just the market for used ski-doos.
No clue where you are located, but good deals are out there.

https://westslope.craigslist.org/snw/d/cortez-2015-ski-doo-summit-163/6877023589.html

It lists a bent front bumper, so extra attention should be given to make sure the s-module isn't bent. At 400 miles though, that sled has a ton of life left in it.

 

[mtndoo800]

I just picked up a 2016 summit 800 174”x3” t-motion 1081 Miles for $5k. Just have to keep a watch out everyday and be ready if a good deal shows up

 

[SnoKing]

Is the used doo world a forum?

Here is a link for SKIDOO Classifieds from the DOOTALK Forum


https://www.dootalk.com/forums/forum/32-sleds-for-sale/

 

[bowhunter11199]

Any other thoughts/recommendations?

 

[Mort2112]

I ride a 14' XM 154 with 2500 miles and absolutely love it. If you can find a 2014+ in your price range you can't really go wrong if the sled hasn't been beaten.


The only issues with mine are the ones I caused.

 

[bowhunter11199]

I ride a 14' XM 154 with 2500 miles and absolutely love it. If you can find a 2014+ in your price range you can't really go wrong if the sled hasn't been beaten.


The only issues with mine are the ones I caused.

How many miles starts to be too much for a skidoo?

 

[bowhunter11199]

How about a 2008 skidoo summit 800 with 425 miles. How are those reliability? Guy is asking low $3k

 

[bowhunter11199]

Also found a 2011 600 summit sport carb with 1800 miles for low $2k. I’ve heard those are near bullet proof but after riding one I would like a little bit better performance. Powder seemed adequate but I seemed to trench easily in spring snow conditions due to the 146” track

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

XM chassis 154 2013+. Lots of upgrades for handling and build quality over the XP's. They are 2.5" track, really well built sleds. obviously the newer and lower miles you can get into the better but overall $5k will get you into a really nice sled that will last a long time. IMO the XM generation of ski-doo's is generally one of the best bang for your buck performers of the sled world.

 

[Mort2112]

How many miles starts to be too much for a skidoo?

I met a couple of guys on 14's and 15' this year that had 5k plus with no issues. I'll start to think about it at 3k.

 

[bowhunter11199]

Not sure how the above guys are finding such killer deals... I’m find 13s and 14s with 1200-2000 miles that want $5k

 

[MTsled3]

I'm in the same boat as the OP, and I'm curious, what are common issues or things to look out for with these sleds?

 

[atomix3]

I bought two 2014 xm 154s last summer paid $4700 for one but only 3200 for the other. Both had over 2k miles the cheaper had a ripped track but found a good used one for $500 online. No problems during the year with either that I didn't cause.
Make sure to look up in Canada that's where I found one of mine.

 

[Devilmanak]

The biggest thing to look for it how they have been treated. Look at the shock to a-arm clearance on both sides, most used XP XM sleds have bent modules from my experience. 174/175 sleds can be found cheap (or spendy) because they are rider specific sleds. I would never buy one if it were my only sled, but for those deeeeep days...... Again, from my experience: 11-15 Pro engines go 2000 miles and are done. Earlier 11-12 less. Older 800 HO and 800R Doos the same, maybe a little bit more. Etecs I wouldn't worry until 3000 miles. Probably more. No idea on the 850 Etecs. Prolly gonna piss some people off, but Suzuki Cat engines? I would go 4-5K miles if taken care of and fed the right oil and juice. Biggest thing? The newer you buy, the more it will cost to repair. If you have an issue with any of the new sleds, it is not like the good old days where you can fix it in the garage with a few beers. The new stuff is complicated, spendy, and if it comes to an efi or electrical problem, you need dealership tools.