Good deal or not - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Nwarner42 · 11-04-2009, 06:56 PM

Hi, I am kinda new to this whole snowmobiling thing but i had a few questions. I am looking at a 1996 Ski Doo MXZ 583 with 7136 miles on it. The guy is asking $1000. It is in very good condition and only has the normal wear and tear. I am also looking at a 1998 ski doo formula z. It has about 4000 miles on it and the only problems are it needs new skis and the track has a missing chunk but the guy said it doesnt skip and you wouldnt see it if he wouldnt have mentioned it. The guy is asking $1200. Which do you think is a better deal? Thanks.

YamahaSS440 · 11-04-2009, 07:02 PM

Hmm, I think i would personally go with the 1998 because of the lower miles. The track should be fine unless its a really big chunk. Dont take my word on it though, thats just what i think

SkiDoo86 · 11-04-2009, 07:30 PM

I would go with the 1998, but Im gonna warn you even a small chunk, with the equivalents of two studs side by side missing will cause the track to tear up faster. You might have to have a new track put on, but it would be worth it. And whats wrong with the skis? The itll either have plastic or metal skis, metal skis dont usually wear out unless bent. And The plastic ones just usually break. But if its just the carbides underneath I would just replace those.

Nwarner42 · 11-04-2009, 07:35 PM

I'm not sure what is wrong with the skis. The guy just said that he put plastics on but he thought they would need to be replaced this winter.

SkiDoo86 · 11-04-2009, 07:40 PM

Im not goin to lie, plastic skis can be expensive. New ones atleast. You might be able to find used ones on ebay or something. You would really have to look at em to tell. My guess is he wore out the wear bar/ carbide and continued driving on em. But if you got the time and money, I would say the 1998 would be a better option. Assuming it only needs track (eventually) and plastic skis.

xxxthebxxx · 11-04-2009, 07:51 PM

If the MXZ 583 already had a rebuild then yes it'd be worth it, but if not, then the formula z with lower miles would be worth it. That track is going to go eventually, so figure that into the price, and skis too.

Nwarner42 · 11-04-2009, 09:23 PM

Thanks guys.

YamahaSS440 · 11-04-2009, 09:50 PM

If you plan to put new plastic skis on a sled, stay away from camoplast ones!!

SkiDoo86 · 11-04-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YamahaSS440

If you plan to put new plastic skis on a sled, stay away from camoplast ones!!

And why do you reccommend that? I have heard many people say how they like them... And havent heard any complaints yet.

Nwarner42 · 11-04-2009, 10:29 PM

What kind of track do you prefer? I live in Iowa and ride mostly in just fields.

TwinsofMLB · 11-05-2009, 09:56 AM

I'd go with the 96' any day! No repairs means you can start the season worry free! Formula Zs were ok sleds but MXZs were built for speed and would show up most models of their time. 583's will go forever so the 7k miles is nothing. The missing chunk in the track will turn into a big problem real quick. Skis and track together will end up costing you more than half of what you payed for the whole sled!

**RJ Gleason** · 11-05-2009, 01:04 PM

I would take the 583 any day. the engine is near bullet proof and has lots of potential for more power (mods/bb kit).