Are the newer sleds that much better? - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

jkust · 01-18-2008, 02:06 PM

Since our snow is mostly gone on the trails in Maple Grove, MN I was thinking back on all of my rides this year. It seemed that 9 out of 10 sleds I encountered on the trails were that newer looking style making them in the mid to late 2000's or so. I was suprised at how few older sleds were out there. My sled is a 1998 ZR 600 EFI with reverse and during this first season so far of owning it, I just cant see why people shell out the bucks for newer sleds. My stock ZR is to me like a rocket hitting 100mph in seconds (plenty fast for me), takes corners and rides awesome plus easy to manuver with the reverse but I kinda fell like I'm riding a jalopy compared to ones I see. I got into the sport this year buying two very nice, low mileage 98's and a brand new Floe trailer for less than one nice newer sled. What am I missing? Why spend or worse finance multiple thousands when for under 2k you have just as much fun?

ethan31 · 01-18-2008, 02:25 PM

Its like everything.
People like the newest and "best" things out there.

And like you said, you dont need to drop alot of $$ to have fun, and haveing fun it what its all about.

tamacat · 01-18-2008, 02:46 PM

I've bought 4 brand new sleds since I've been snowmobiling. They sure do get better and better each year.Especially the suspension and weight.The power of the new twins compared to the triples has increased.Plus fuel economy. If your patient ,and wait for the right deal you'll find a good sled. There is a 2002 Thundercat at my dealer right now for $5500. Picked,reverse and only 172 miles on it. The guy that bought it was older and rode it one time and it just sat after thet

.
Look to buy in the spring for a cheaper price.Price goes up in the fall because of the demand.
If I ever bought a $10000 sled, I would wait a few years and buy a rarely used one for fairly cheap.
The thing about buying NEW is that it is YOURS. No one else abused it.And if you take good care of it. It will last you many years of fun on a nice new ride.

Sorry for the rambling.

Juice · 01-18-2008, 02:48 PM

My opinion, for what its worth

. Do what works for you, I did. I bought a 97 with lower miles for cheap. It needs a little tuning here and there but I'm fairly handy and expected to do some work to it. I can see if someone was not into fixing their sleds they may elect to buy a new one. Of course, as you mention, they are more pricey. I have had a blast with my sled in the short time I've owned it. Its faster than I need and its running pretty well right now. Over the summer I'll go through it and fix all the little things that it needs.

tamacat · 01-18-2008, 02:58 PM

Juice. I owned a 96 ZRT 600 and it was a bad a$$ sled Wish I still had it. Check it out on tamacats garage/stuff.

Juice · 01-18-2008, 03:48 PM

Damn Tamacat, that is a sweet looking ZRT!

Mine isn't in the shape yours was, there are a few spider cracks on the hood and a few small scratches to a couple of the decals. It is one fast machine though and so much fun it could be illegal

!

**RJ Gleason** · 01-18-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkust

It seemed that 9 out of 10 sleds I encountered on the trails were that newer looking style making them in the mid to late 2000's or so. I was suprised at how few older sleds were out there.
I got into the sport this year buying two very nice, low mileage 98's and a brand new Floe trailer for less than one nice newer sled.
What am I missing?
Why spend or worse finance multiple thousands when for under 2k you have just as much fun?

These are also the same people who trade in their cars and trucks every couple of years too. They just have to have new, or the latest thing so that they can crow about it to their friends and anyone else who will listen. (They are also very heavy in debt)

Fifty54Four · 01-18-2008, 05:11 PM

I got a Ski-Doo MXZ 583. People around town ask me to race them on the lake when it's frozen. Out of all my friends, only one has beaten me, and it's because he has nitrous in it or something. >.<

Newer =/= Better, am I right?

**smallengineguy** · 01-18-2008, 05:34 PM

I ride a 1992, and it goes with the new ones just fine (although I want a REV...).

BskidooC · 01-18-2008, 06:01 PM

Well I must admit that I love the old sleds and some are absolutely bullet proof. Think back on the Rotax 583s and 670s. But the new sleds have there pros and cons as well. We have some sleds these days that have tons of problems. There have been these since snowmobiles were created. Thats something I doubt we will ever get away from. Nothing can be perfect right?
Now there are a ton of things about new sleds that are much better than the older sleds. The biggest things I would say are power and weight and power to weight. I really could not tell you if the reliability is any better.

skidoorider · 01-18-2008, 06:01 PM

the reason why im buying a brand new sled next year is because, i bought my 99 mxz 600 3 years ago. i have since beat the living crap out of it. things keep breaking and its not fast enough nor does it have the power i want. so since i have the money, im going to buy a brand new sled.

im still going to keep my old one for other family members to use, and for me to skim with it in the summer and basically drive it when i dont want to ruin my new one.

jbnskyline · 01-18-2008, 06:34 PM

i bought a 1990 ac prowler and it works great doesnt matter how old it is as long as nobody beat the piss out of the thang. old sleds are still good.people just want to keep up with the jones

coloradoman25 · 01-18-2008, 07:14 PM

Well I can say for mountain riding an 05 apex is LIGHTYEARS ahead of my 99 powder special////That said...Ill keep the poweder for the price lol.

JDS · 01-18-2008, 07:26 PM

My 3 sleds, ATV, and trailer together didn't cost as much as most of the new sleds. Between the sleds and ATV, we've put many thousands of miles on them, and we'll put many thousand more on them. My wife's sled is a new holdover that cost less than half of a new one.

jbnskyline · 01-18-2008, 07:39 PM

amen brother

Ditch hopper · 01-18-2008, 07:52 PM

new sleds arnt even that much faster than the old ones i still see the ole mach 1's pulling 100mph+ in the drags last weekend a 1994 thundercat ran 120mph!!

SawBlade · 01-18-2008, 07:57 PM

95 zrt 800 whooping an 06 f6 on the lake is worth the shame of having an older sled!!!!!!

JheLrey · 01-18-2008, 08:00 PM

I like my older sleds.... bc when I hit something, roll it, scratch it, crack it, dent it, I don't get all "bent out of shape" (Haha! No Pun Intended) like you would with a new one. I can beat on my used ones and not think twice about what I am doing. Parts are easier to come by. I don't make payments on something that sits in my garage, etc.

Ditch hopper · 01-18-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

95 zrt 800 whooping an 06 f6 on the lake is worth the shame of having an older sled!!!!!!

yes sir it is!

iceman400 · 01-18-2008, 10:38 PM

I ride a 1993 formula plus and my father owned it since 1995 but bought it off a close friend who has had it since new.
i have never had a any bad problems with it and it beats new 600's all day looks great rides great i will never get rid of it..
but i want a newer sled(with a bit more power and suspention) was gonna get a 99 machz or somthing but i found a real nice deal on a 04 rev and i might take a chance and go for it!.

Connor,