Looking at an 1980 Artic Cat El tigre 6000 - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

turbojerk · 12-25-2007, 07:04 PM

Hello, I'm new here and would like to start of with a question....

I have a chance to pick up an 1980 Artic Cat El Tigre 6000. Any reason that I should stay away from this sled? I'm new to snowmobiling and really don't now the good's and the bad's about certain models....The price is cheap, it comes with a dolly and factory sled cover.It seems to be in good condition overall considering the age.

Thanks

Troy

PolarisHockey90 · 12-25-2007, 07:10 PM

My brother has a 85 and its a fixer upper

How many miles? Pics?

For the right price I would but you need to remember, the parts are hard to find sometimes

turbojerk · 12-25-2007, 07:16 PM

Not sure of Milage yet...

The owner said that it has a leak at the head pipe Y, but runs fine...

Here's some pic's that the owner sent me. They aren't the best, but that's what I got to go by for now...

PolarisHockey90 · 12-25-2007, 07:19 PM

If I can ask, how much? Are you mechanically smart? (Just wondering) and do you have any pictures under the hood?

Like I said, I'm just wondering on this

turbojerk · 12-25-2007, 07:33 PM

5 bills.

No pic's of motor compartment...

I can handle the mechanical end no problem. Snowmobiles are fairly simple machines. Its just the parts availability like base and head gaskets etc that I'm concerned about for the most part.

coloradoman25 · 12-25-2007, 07:38 PM

I thought they were simple too....Search some of my posts lol....Good luck if ya get that one the older ones can be tempermental!

spinandsmoke · 12-26-2007, 12:37 AM

Good luck with that sled if you decide to buy, I rode a 1980 pantera 500cc aircooled back in 01, That thing was a tough sled, rode it very hard, the suspension was like a rock and the left ski broke after numerous dips, it could out corner and accelerate the new sleds on the trails but they would quickly catch up,it was very limited in the track dept. and just couldnt go were the paddle tracks could,take it easy on the engine if it has been sitting for a while and make sure all the engine bolts are torqued,the engine will blow if its sucking air from the wrong place.

**RJ Gleason** · 12-26-2007, 06:12 AM

For $500, I'd go for it.
The supposed leak at the Y pipe is most likely due to not getting warmed up enough or a fouled plug.

somebody · 12-26-2007, 05:10 PM

my buddy has one. he beat the heck out of it and it shows, but after sitting for years with gas that looked like coca cola, it fired up with only a couple pulls. it's pretty light also. his only complaint is that it's a little wide for tight trails/woods.

turbojerk · 12-26-2007, 07:47 PM

Kewl! Thanks for all of the feedback!

So, is $500 a good price, or should I see if the owner has room to lower it?

Thanks
T

kccats · 12-26-2007, 08:56 PM

I've had several of the old Tigers! Great sleds, fast and light, the only problem is no (very little) suspension! Parts aren't hard to get at all! I likly still have a set of gaskets on the shelf! I had an 81 500cc that I did my first real Mods to and I broke the 100mph barrier with it! I would see if the guy would come down to 400, offer him 350 and then meet him at 400. Hows the track? Everything else is fairly inexpencise to replace! Let me know if you get it!

clodev · 12-26-2007, 09:54 PM

i have the panther in the same year. what i like about this sled is its a motor, carborator, drive system thats it. not complicated not a bunch of safties under the hood. i have a slightly scored cylinder and it still runs good. the jugs are still used today which is a great sign. Tore the motor down to the shaft last summer. We just got the 85 ss440 a few weeks ago and a world of difference in complexity.no problem with parts either.

turbojerk · 12-29-2007, 03:24 PM

Okay....

So I just got back from looking at the sled in person. It looks to be in what I would say O.K. shape. Its all there and is showing 34XX miles, but it has been sitting for a number (maybe 3) of years. The fuel tank smells REAL skunky for sure and the exhaust will need attention before I would even be able to try and start it. He said that the lowest he would drop the price it too $450. I realize that it would be a kewl project, but I think that just getting it started would run me almost $200 by the time I got the fuel and exhaust system up to par.

I'm going to call him back and offer him $250 lust for the sled and he can keep the dolly and I'll take my chances on the other stuff like crank seals, fuel pump and whatever else it would need. Does that sound like a fair offer considering it's current state?

Thanks
Troy

somebody · 12-29-2007, 04:23 PM

ya, sounds like it might be more work than it's worth. hard to tell what you're getting into without hearing it run.

**RJ Gleason** · 12-30-2007, 11:34 AM

$250 is a good counter offer, try to bargain for the sled separately and then kind of throw in an offer for the dolly after you have agreed on a price for the sled (and paid for it).

jbnskyline · 01-01-2008, 11:09 PM

is it liquid cooled if so then i herd the early ones were a pain.

**RJ Gleason** · 01-02-2008, 09:11 AM

Yeah, its a 500cc liquid cooled. Good engines in those.

turbojerk · 01-02-2008, 05:16 PM

The owner went for my offer and I picked it up yesterday. I'm in the process of getting parts together as we speak...

Anyone know where I could find a new or used expansion chamber? The one that's on it is kinda ratty and need welded in a few places. Not that I couldn't repair it, I'd just like to have a nice unit...

ptrapper65 · 01-02-2008, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbojerk

The owner went for my offer and I picked it up yesterday. I'm in the process of getting parts together as we speak...

Anyone know where I could find a new or used expansion chamber? The one that's on it is kinda ratty and need welded in a few places. Not that I couldn't repair it, I'd just like to have a nice unit...

Check the parts thread.

http://www.snowmobileforum.com/misc-snowmobile-parts/

**RJ Gleason** · 01-03-2008, 05:56 AM

So, what was the selling price?