aidanjude

I'm new to snowmobiling and am thinking about getting a 96 ultra sp Polaris and it's in excellent condition just needs carbides, but I've heard that 3 cylinders are troublesome, any thoughts? For 900$ and 3884 miles on it is it a good sled?

zdw0889

I have one and i love it. Got mine a lil cheaper but had more miles. Sled is my first tripple also. Someone else here will know more about the reliability. But i havent had any troubles. Has the top end been redone? That might be in your near future if it hasnt.

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96 polaris ultra sp 680 dg can cobra windshield, 89 el tigre ext 530, 98 zr 600 efi, 80 yamaha exciter 440 l/c, 96 cougar 550.

aidanjude

No it hasn't, that's something to think about thanks

zdw0889

I'd try to get it a lil cheaper. Because if you do a topend its gonna set you back a couple hundred. Have u checked compression? Sholud be around 130 give or take a couple.

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96 polaris ultra sp 680 dg can cobra windshield, 89 el tigre ext 530, 98 zr 600 efi, 80 yamaha exciter 440 l/c, 96 cougar 550.

zdw0889

I paid 600 for mine and all it needed was gas. And mine had fairly new topend also

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96 polaris ultra sp 680 dg can cobra windshield, 89 el tigre ext 530, 98 zr 600 efi, 80 yamaha exciter 440 l/c, 96 cougar 550.

BobK.

Paid 750 for my xlt have no problems with it its a trip so it will go same as ur gas i believe 95 or 96 they added the xtra crank oil line theyre heavy any work you do to it you want to make sure the carbs are syncd and are jetted and properly adjusted right

Mighty Quinn

Welcome to the forum.
The first thing you should do is ask if the owner has had the sled since new ,or at least the history, records, recipts ect... if any .
Second get a compression tester,learn how it works ,& ask the seller if he wouldn't mind that you take a compression test of the motor .Like mentioned 130lbs. excellent . 120lbs. still good . 115lbs. anything under that you will be looking at doing a top end (piston & rings ) any number readings like for exsample( PTO side 90lbs. CENT. 110lbs . MAG 120lbs.) close the hood & walk away,Unless you can get it for dirt cheep .
Another thing with these 1996 Ultras is the water pump it is gear driven off the crank it has it's own oil resivior with site glass in front of the motor. If that thing has not been touched (like oil changed,& or rebuilt ) then that would be the second thing to be rebuilding.

I'm only giving you some things to look out for with this sled ,cause I have one.Hope all go's good for you.

Mighty Quinn

I'ed also like to metion these motors have NICASIL lined cylinders ,witch meens in a short note exspensive to fix if they get damaged in any way,but very hard lining for wear . Proper warm up & cool down is a must ,I think anyway .I'm not trying scare you from not buying it ,just giving you advise ,take care of it , & it'll last you ,if you monkey around with the $ demons will find you.