The DYING Question... AC or DOO??? (Revisited) - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

mmmmmmbeer · 01-28-2009, 08:35 PM

Hello everyone,

Now i am sure that there is a post(s) already on whether ski-doo or Arctic cat is a better choice. But i guess maybe this is a more specific question.

Here it goes:

Criteria:
-I am new to riding but am a HUGE fan for "boys toys"
-I did my research on all the brands and narrowed it down to two brands based on price / features and purpose
-I am looking for a mountain machine for bowls / hill climbing etc.
-I am looking for a **reliable** machine for my money
-I am a tall man 6'3" (if that matters)

-Im deciding between a "Arctic Cat Snow Pro 09 M8 153" " or a "Ski-doo Summit x 800 146"-154" " or "Ski-doo Summit x 600 H.O. E-TEC 146-154" "

If you have any ideas on which one i should lean towards that would be great. Maybe some pros and cons between them.

Thanks a bunch

BEER

YamaCatMan · 01-28-2009, 09:01 PM

I would go with one of the 800's.

Arctic cat M8
pros:
Very nice looking
Fast and powerful
Long track
pretty reliable
cons:
Will prolly cost more

Ski-doo summit 800
Pros: Will most likely be more comfortable for taller people
less emissions
Better fuel economy
fast enough

cons:
Less powerful ( from what ive heard)
Shorter track

Spun222400 · 01-28-2009, 09:04 PM

the cat all the way, but i would stay away from the e-tech till they get the bugs out if you do go with ski-doo

mmmmmmbeer · 01-28-2009, 09:05 PM

Less power? how so? yamacatman

lol to be honest i think the ski-doo's look cool especially the Blue / White color x package version. I looked at the AC M8's today and they look ok i guess. But the main thing is performance what im looking for. Looks Second (sad to say)

Skidaddle · 01-28-2009, 10:18 PM

Less power ? The SkiDoo boys in your area must be going easy on you guys to give you such an opinion. Go on youtube and type SkiDoo MXZ 800 and get an eyefull of reality! I'm not saying you wouldn't be perfectly happy with the M8, but I'm pretty sure the summit 800 will not disappoint you.

mmmmmmbeer · 01-28-2009, 10:25 PM

hrm so you are kind of straddling the middle there eh? either or is good for you then skidaddle?

YamaCatMan · 01-28-2009, 10:40 PM

Either will make him happy yes i agree.
I was just saying that what Ive heard is that the summit has less power than the arctic cat F or M series 800. Ive never rode a ski-doo summit 800 so i wouldnt know.

YamaCatMan · 01-28-2009, 10:41 PM

You will have to look at both of them in person

powderhound · 01-29-2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmmmmmbeer

Less power? how so? yamacatman

lol to be honest i think the ski-doo's look cool especially the Blue / White color x package version. I looked at the AC M8's today and they look ok i guess. But the main thing is performance what im looking for. Looks Second (sad to say)

Dude the AC is NOT reliable yea maybe it have a better suspension but def doesn't have the power the Doo does and the reliability to back it up. 800 for sure

Spun222400 · 01-29-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powderhound

Dude the AC is NOT reliable yea maybe it have a better suspension but def doesn't have the power the Doo does and the reliability to back it up. 800 for sure

....... reliability? all i see is doo's on the lake, dead! cat's efi have lots of power at any altitude or temp, no rejetting, watch it in action

YouTube - Slednecks 10- Chris Burandt

Skidaddle · 01-30-2009, 04:51 PM

I would think if you show up on either one of these beauties your boys will know you're serious. I wouldn't want to steer you one way or the other.

riding freak · 02-25-2009, 03:10 PM

I say go with a real sled like a yamaha or polaris! definetely not the kitty cat if that was the choices go with the summmit 800

mmmmmmbeer · 02-25-2009, 03:26 PM

well i just took a look at the new 2010 skidoo summit models and it looks pretty good with the colors. brownish orange, black chase and a little white to finish it off... Hope thats the actual sled.

polaris rider · 02-25-2009, 03:36 PM

Wait you said you want reliablility

Why would you be considering a doo then

mmmmmmbeer · 02-25-2009, 04:00 PM

i DO want a reliable toy but i am getting convoluted answers. i need definite answers to decide, correct? So i put my 2 bits in about the 2010 models.

polaris rider · 02-25-2009, 04:06 PM

From my friends experience with Doos, the reliability just ISNT there... but with cat and polaris reliability has been rock solid

CATDRIVER · 02-25-2009, 04:46 PM

Didn't you say you were just getting into sledding? If so, you probably want a machine that you can handle and learn on before you go buying the killer sled. Most people think that you just get on a sled and ride and it just aint so. If you have experience riding cycles, you will adapt fairly easily. I have seen so many of these guys who buy the monster sled and end up parking it in the garage afraid of it or deciding that it's too much work to have some fun. That's how I got the deal I got on mine AC's. I would go with the milder of the two to start with and upgrade after having some time on the seat. Mind you I am a dad and grandad and a certain part of me doesn't want to see someone get hurt. I would recommend the doo for a newer rider. They seem to be a little easier to manuever when learning. I have been riding for a while but I remember how many times I ended up in the powder with my sled coming to a stop 10 feet away cause the tether came off when I fell off. I was young once too. I ride a little saner nowadays although I do find it hard to resist a good jump once in a while. I am teaching my grandkids to ride on a old Polaris right now. We have a Summit 700 and it's a nice sled. I like my AC's better but the Summit is a nice rig. If you get a chance to pickup a nice Summit for the price, I recommend it. One thing about the ROTAX engines, there's absolutely no lack of horsepower and pull on one. The go good.

mmmmmmbeer · 02-25-2009, 05:00 PM

yeah i am new to riding snowmobiles but i do have experience with quads and watercraft like sea-doos that have high power. To me i don't see much of a difference from riding a sea-doo as to a snowmobile. I guess it hurts more when u fall and its snow rather than water. But, that's besides the fact that i want good bang for my buck. I appreciate your comment CatDriver, but i must add that i am a speed freak and its unlikely that ill be afraid of it and stow it in the garage. But why do you like the Cat better? I see your point that Doo is a good starter sled but im only buy this thing once for the next 5 or so years.... Mainly because im a college student and that takes funding priority.

Beer