Help choosing new to me used snowmobile. - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Desertflier · 01-21-2013, 11:28 PM

I'm new to this forum and snowmobiling too.
I've been looking at some used snowmobiles and was hoping to get your opinions on these or any others you may recommend.
97 Ski Doo MXZ 583
97 Ski Doo Summit X 670
2000 Ski Doo MXZ 700
2004 Arctic Cat ZL 800

These are in my price range at the moment which is $1,500.00-$2,500.00
Thanks in advance.

**BC_Dan** · 01-21-2013, 11:43 PM

What kind of riding are you going to be doing? Trail sleds such as the ZL and MXZ have short tracks and do awesome on the trails. They get stuck a LOT in deeper powder and are not capable hill climbers unless the snow is really set up. The Summit is worse on the trails and is great in the powder and is a capable sled for climbing.

I would also look at a Polaris Gen II chassis with a 700 engine. It would fit in that price. You may even get an early Edge model for the upper end. Avoid the Polaris 800, that engine has a lot of problems that a beginner shouldn't have to sort through. The trail version is an XC, the hill version is the RMK.

Welcome to the forum!

Desertflier · 01-22-2013, 12:00 AM

I plan on mainly riding flat trails and fire roads.
Something that turns pretty easy. I don't need massive power or speed.

**kccats** · 01-22-2013, 06:09 AM

Welcome to the Snow Show!
I would Highly recomend the 04 ZL800 which I would believe is EFI and may even be a ESR? I guess the only draw back might be the power! It would have lots of it! A bit softer suspenssion than the ZR, but just as capable!

**smallengineguy** · 01-23-2013, 03:36 AM

All thhe Doos you put down have excellent bulletproof engines. I would take the 583 or maybe the 700. The summit is a long track (harder to turn) and the 800 is a little too much.