2003 Pantera 550 good sled? - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

COOKSTER · 12-06-2012, 09:46 AM

I'm going to look at a 2003 Pantera 550 with 1600 miles on it tonight.
I was looking for a general consensus on the sled good, bad, things to look for etc.
Also, I know prices fluctuate depending on where you live (I'm in central Ontario)
so I'd like opinions on value. The seller is asking $2950.00 but is willing to negotiate.

**RJ Gleason** · 12-06-2012, 11:02 AM

Price is within acceptable range.

The 550 is a good workhorse engine and can be upped to 580 just by changing cylinders and pistons.

And, you will just love the ride. The Pantera is still the guide by which all others are measured for touring sleds.

COOKSTER · 12-06-2012, 11:18 AM

Thanks for the reassurance on the motor RJ, I don't know anything about the 550 so I'm glad to hear its not problematic and at 80 hp I wouldn't feel the need to mod it into a 580.
The master plan is to sell my 98 ZL 500 to offset the cost and I already have a prospective buyer for it. If the Pantera is as nice as the pictures in the ad I think I'll jump on it. It's 16 less ponies than the ZL 500 but at my age I'm more into the creature comforts than power and speed.

**kccats** · 12-06-2012, 02:38 PM

Well Congrats! If you liked the ZL you will LOVE the Pantera! The Pantera is a ZL 136"!

COOKSTER · 12-06-2012, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kccats

Well Congrats! If you liked the ZL you will LOVE the Pantera! The Pantera is a ZL 136"!

The congrats may be premature, I haven't bought it yet, I'm going to see it tonight though I do have to admit that I'm pretty Hyped at the prospect.
I love my ZL500, I've rebuilt the motor top to bottom it has a new stator and I replaced all of the skid bearings, the condition of the sled is like new, I haven't even sold it yet and I'm already missing it!
I think I might sell the Z440 instead.

**kccats** · 12-06-2012, 06:00 PM

Well once you have bought it you will HAVE to come back and tell everyone how much you like it!

COOKSTER · 12-07-2012, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kccats

Well once you have bought it you will HAVE to come back and tell everyone how much you like it!

Well I now own it but I cant say how much I like it since we don't have snow yet. The sled is in great condition, has only 1600 miles on it on and I talked the guy down to $2600 from $2995. About the only fault I could find is that the colored vinyl on the seat feels slightly brittle as compared to my other Cats with the black seats, maybe this is normal?
Anyway, I pick it up on Saturday and I'll go over it top to bottom before the season as I do with all my sleds.

**kccats** · 12-07-2012, 07:20 AM

Well again Congrats! Well remember I have 3, but I am hooked on the Panteras! Two of mine are the 800efi and the other is the 580!