COOKSTER

600cc liquid's are far from beginner sleds. As someone else mentioned, they will kill you just as fast, if not faster, than an 800. (lighter, so you might decide to jump a little more, and that doesn't always end well!)

X2.
First of all What kind of riding do you intend to do?
IMO If you're new to the sport, riding a modern 600cc sled trying to keep up with more experienced riders could be a recipe for disaster. Not trying to knock the opinions of others, but it seems most folks here are performance enthusiasts and to them a 600 is a middle of the pack sled.
FWIW I'm a 49 year old man who's most enjoyable sledding experience ever was the first time I rode with my 12 year old daughter on her first sled, a 440Z Cat. Different strokes for different folks.

__________________
Current fleet...
2004 MXZ 500SS
2000 Z370
2003 Pantera 550
1998 ZL500
1988 Springbok Bowrider/110 Johnson

Quincee33

in Canada and U.S., snowmobiles are all about family fun! or going on the trails with buddies...but yes they are used for work - maple syrup companies use them for tapping trees, some people use them for dragging firewood for winter heat and ski resorts use them for rescue and overall superivising of the slopes....but they are indeed a fun recreational "toy" ... an expensive toy, but fun nonetheless.

Quincee33

600 c/c 2 stroke are quite fast and powerful.

mrplow

New sledders should be weary of high powered machines. You might look cooler but you wont if you put yourself in the hospital. I think 600s are great to start with. Better on gas and just as fast through the twistys as 90% of the bigger machines. Alot easier on your arms after a day of riding