what would you buy?

[Vern]

another vote for M-cat '10 or newer 8 would be sweet for the h.o. but wouldn't hesitate on an older m8 or even a clean m7. m7 is light years ahead of the old wedge and would leave fuel money in your pocket, I'm 6' 230lbs and been riding an m7 since '06 and it gets me where i wanna go. both poo and doo have a pretty crappy reputations on there 800s, but i got a buddy that's about 6'5" and 400+lbs(no joke) that rides an '08 rmk 700 and keeps up pretty f'ing good so even being a cat guy i can't say to much bad about the poo 700.

 

[built4dtuff]

My bud picked up a 12 rmk 600 for $6500 last year with 1100 miles(great sled for the money). The m8 might be the most reliable 800 but the poo 600 is hands down the most reliable sled and has been since 2002. I have 3 600's now and if I wasn't over 200lbs I'd have 4! You can pick up an 07/08 600 with 1000ish miles for around $3k. That's what I paid for one last year and another this year one had 1200 and the other had 1400 both had pipes. Plus there is no diamond drive to lock up!

I know it's more than what you have but I bought a 12 pro 600 couple months ago for $7500 with 100 miles on it and warranty! That pro chassi is awesome and with a bullet proof motor you can't go wrong!

Plus on days that aren't epicly deep I really like the 600. It's always fun to go where the rest of the group goes on 8's when your riding a 6

 

[casey99cobra]

09+ m8

 

[Sprink]

M8 is definately the winning vote still, I'm keeping my eyes peeled, I've seen a lot of 07 m8's. also lots of sleds with lots of miles. I do think I'd like something with under 1k miles.

 

[snengineer]

With the M8 the year makes a BIG difference, if you are looking for one with under 1k miles the M8 worth getting (09-10-11) will be out of your price range. A couple other options for your price range are a 2006 Summit X800, other years were not as good as the 06 on the skidoo.
Sounds to me like you would prefer a Polaris, for later years as long as you don't go with the 900cc you will be fine, lots to choose from.

 

[Escmanaze]

Another M8 vote

Here is another M8 vote. I owned a 2008 M8 and loved every bit of it. I sold it 3 years ago and really regret it now. 2007 was the first year for the M8 and I think the 2008 worked out a lot of the bugs. I'm not sure $5k is enough to get the HO motor, but based on the sled you're currently on, even the 2008 motor should feel very good.

I had the 153 track and I think it's a good balanced medium. I like to play in the trees with a lot of sidehilling and picking my way in and out of trees, so the 153 turned a little better for me. I have ridden the 162 and it felt much more clumsy, but if you're just climbing straight up all day every day, then maybe go that way. However, if you're climbing straight up all the time, then maybe that would be a good reason to go for Doo and the 16" track. I rode an XP last year and absolutely hated it. It was great for going straight up, great power with teh etec, but it did not like to let me get on one ski and sidehill at all.