Advice On New Purchase

H

hegewisch

New member
This year we have decided to buy 2 sled's instead of renting or, borrowing. I need a few opinions. I know many will have diverse opinions etc. Let me explain what the purpose of these sleds will be so, you will not expect a racing sled. These will be for fun riding and touring around. I want to get others into the sport so we wanted 2 up's so 2 could ride. We also will use them for our church outdoor ministry. I first started looking at used sleds. I figured I could get 2 decent used ones with trailer for no more than $7500.00. The only problem is you are in hopes things are good and you won't face unexpected problems or, repair costs. I decided earlier this week to look at dealers. I thought with the economic crisis in America, a dealer might give me a deal on even a new one with a warranty. (perhaps buying 1 used and 1 new) After visiting 3 dealers around, I came across what seems to be a deal. I can get 2 new Polaris 2009 sleds each seating 2 persons. With electric start, reverse and a 12 month warranty. Also, with a flat trailer that holds both sleds. Although these sleds are not for racing they will probably suit our needs. The price out the door for both sleds and trailer is $12,100.00 We are not financing as this will be a cash sale. Pasted below are specs. Opinions please. I might buy these this week.

Thanks !!!!!!!

Manufacturer Polaris

Model Year 2009

Model Trail Touring Deluxe

MSRP $6,599.00* (I am getting them for $5500 a piece)

DIMENSIONS
Length 128 in. (325.1 cm)

Height 49.5 in. (125.7 cm)

Width 48 in. (121.9 cm)

Weight 537 lbs. (243.6 kg)

ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN
Engine Polaris, 2-stroke, 2-cylinder, fan-cooled

Horsepower 60 hp

Displacement 544 cc

Bore x Stroke 73 x 65 mm

Carburetion 2 - VM34

Ignition Bosch - closed loop

Fuel Capacity 12.25 gal. (46.4 l)

Clutch Drive: P-85
Driven: P2

Suspension Front: EDGE; Nitrex Select shocks; Nitrex track shock; 10 in. (25.4 cm) travel
Rear: EDGE 136; MPV Select track shock; 13.9 in. (35.3 cm) travel

Exhaust Single

Brakes Phantom, hydraulic disc

OPERATIONAL
Skis Composite

Ski Stance 42.5 in. (108 cm)

Track LxWxH 136 x 15 x 1 in. HackSaw

OTHER
Colors Blue (Tour graphics)
 
Z

zimmbob

Member
Hm, I don't think that's a SUPER deal, but it's not bad. Those fan sleds are o.k., but won't have the easiest time with 2 riders. I think if you were patient, you could get a better deal.

Do some shopping around. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. I think you can get a better deal. I bet there are even brand new 2008 sleds out there for less. Really no difference between the 09 and 08 in that version.
 
1

1-snowbullet

New member
Yup I agree check around a bit dont jump !! the yamaha venture lite 500 cc 4 stroke 2 up is a nice low buck sled to run .. just put 87 oct. fuel in and chainge oil in it once or twice a year . they get super fuel milage and will last for years and years ect. . as for a trailor you can pic those up a nice aluminum 2 place about 8 hundred and up when you go enclosed you can spend big bucks but no salt on sleds ect. they stay clean .used can be considerabally less than new !
 
K

kip

Well-known member
I can get you into 2 Yamaha 2010 Venture Lite's for not much more than that. Plus they are 4 stroke so you will se about 20 miles to the gallon and you won't have to add any oil. These are very comfortable and dependable 2 seaters and they are also fuel injected so they start very well and very easy. The Yamaha also has the highest resale value so if you ever decide to part with them they are still worth very good money. You are also welcome to come to our dealership and demo ride them. The looks may not be the best but you'll forget about that after you ride one as they are comfortable and easy on your wallet as far as maintenance and cost to run. Good Luck!! Kip

Pat's Motorsports, INC
Greenland, MI 49929
Authorized Yamaha Dealer
906-883-3536
 
S

Skylar

Super Moderator
Staff member
If Kip can get you into the Venture's for almost the same price as the 2 Poo's, I would go for it. You are talking liquid cooled instead of fan cooled, and the Venture will get far better gas milage. This really is a no brainer.
 
S

SuperTurboDiesel

New member
Dear "Hegewisch",

Wow, your CHURCH is buying snowmobiles? Where do I join? LOL

No offense, I go to church too, but I'd be royally pissed off if my congregational leaders bought snowmobiles for ANY reason, unless it was with their OWN money.

Anyhow, do I think that your deal is a good one? No, not really. I guess it comes down to whether or not you know anything about repairing and maintaining snowmobiles or not. You can usually buy older "touring" class snowmobiles for pretty cheap, and they typically have far fewer miles OR in the event that the miles are higher, most touring sleds have had far better maintenance and care than many of the "sport" class sleds out there.

(Speaking from 24 years of snowmobling experience.)

On the other hand, if you know "nothing" about snowmobiles, aside from putting gas and oil in them, then buy some brandy new ones. Oh, and READ your owner's manual. Yep, you heard me right. READ it. You will be amazed what you will learn!

Remember this... Leftover sleds can be a bargain, but remember, you are buying a "new" USED sled. Bargains often come as a direct response to their age and their lack of warranty coverage. (Most warranties are minimal, if existant at all on leftovers.) Once you take ownership of it, it's OLD, whether it be a year or 2 or 3 or whatever. Like it or not, much like automobiles, whether brand new or new/used, snowmobile values drop like a rock as soon as you purchase the sled.

Another thing I suggest is that you RESEARCH the sleds that you want to buy as much as you possibly can. Many of the newer snowmobiles built in the past 5 years have had a LOT of issues. Many of these problems have originated from the introduction of more electronics in these machines. Some problems have been fixed, some not so. Other machines have had no problems. I don't have the desire to go on and on about it. You can find all of that information in the various forums on the web.

I'm a HUGE fan of the EDGE series of Polaris snowmobiles. They have proven to be some of the most impressive looking, riding, and reliable snowmobiles that Polaris has made to date. Yep, you heard me correctly. However, you pretty much have to buy a sled that is a 2001 - 2006 In order to get the Edge chassis snowmobiles. They had a pretty short run, considering their success. I guess it was in response to Ski-Doo's wickely popular REV chassis sleds, that Polaris decided to come out with their Fusion and IQ chassis sleds. Some of them are pretty good, but some of them are real crap. BEWARE if you go that route. Read up on this on these forums. You owe it to yourself (and your fellow worshipers) before you plunk down TENS of THOUSANDS of DOLLARS for some "toys".


Also, do yourself a favor... If you are going to be trailering a lot, buy an enclosed trailer. It pays for itself over and over and over again! Clamshell tilt bed or a drive on, drive off v-nose with a clamshell will work great. Everyone has a different preference, but either one will suffice.

Another benefit to an enclosed trailer is that it gives you a place for year-round storage also!

I personally have a 4-place fully enclosed R&R trailer (built in Michigan by R&R). I also have an open 2-place with a salt shield and sliders, but we mostly use it for short trips, pre-winter sled shows, miscellaneous uses like hauling lawn mowers, and yard work. Yep, yard work. LOL.
Once you commit and go to a fully enclosed trailer, you'll never want to go back, that's for sure! They are the "cadillacs" of snowmobile trailers.

Good luck, and I hope I was of help!
 
S

SuperTurboDiesel

New member
Skylar said:
If Kip can get you into the Venture's for almost the same price as the 2 Poo's, I would go for it. You are talking liquid cooled instead of fan cooled, and the Venture will get far better gas milage. This really is a no brainer.
Click to expand...

Hah, I guess, but good lord are those Yamaha's FUGLY!

I miss the "older" Yammies (1987 - 2002 vintage). I've owned several of them over the years. I had a sweet 1998 SRX 700 with an M-10 once upon a time. Best damned sled I've ever owned. Too bad I sold it, like a dumbass.

Yamaha needs to get their heads outta their rear-ends and build something that is eye-appealing. Granted, they do ride pretty nice, but I honestly will NOT own one strictly because I really can't stand to look at them!

Not to mention, I'm a huge 2-stroke fan, and NOT a fan of 4-stroke sleds whatsoever!

One more thing... If you are worried about fuel mileage, get out of this sport NOW! This is a hobby/fun sport. Let's not screw it all up by getting all excited with fuel economy.

Besides, the ONLY sleds that I'd stay away from for trail riding that have been fuel pigs that I've owned personally were the Vmax-4 and the Polaris "big block" twin cylinder sleds with Non-VES (real late 1990's early 2000's).

I'm sure there are others out there, but for the most part, fuel economy is pretty poor overall across the board. Keep in mind, these are TOYS and not "daily-drivers".

Again, if you are worried about fuel economy, just stay home.

Go put some skiis on your Toyota Prius or your VW Jetta diesel. LOL
 
W

whitedust

Well-known member
The Venture Lites are a good choice & you don't have to worry about newbees forgeting to put 2 stroke oil in sleds. Sounds like you are gas & go types & that is what 4 stroke engines are all about just like cars. Kip at Pat's will treat you right & it is important to buy from a good dealer. The liquid cooled 4s will also do better in warmer weather than air cooled 2 strokes. Watercraft Sales Ryan Lamon 715-546-3351 7453 Highway X Three Lakes, WI was selling last years Venture Lite rental fleet & you should give him a call to see if Venture Lites are still available. If he can't help then Kip at Pat's is your best bet. Your current deal is a bit high... maybe average at best but not a screaming good deal.
 
H

hegewisch

New member
SuperTurboDiesel said:
Dear "Hegewisch",

Wow, your CHURCH is buying snowmobiles? Where do I join? LOL

No offense, I go to church too, but I'd be royally pissed off if my congregational leaders bought snowmobiles for ANY reason, unless it was with their OWN money.
Click to expand...

We are planting a new church. One of the cornerstones is getting people connected to the great outdoors. Camping, Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, Skiing, Boating, Jetskiing, Snowmobiling etc. We have a place near Wakefield where the sleds will stay. Last summer, the church bought 3 camper trailers for people to go camping. Although, there are those on this forum from the Chicago area, the majority in the CITY of Chicago (not suburbs) are not really into the rugged outdoors besides hiking and kayaking etc. We hope to convert many. We sold our old church building in Chicago and are using the proceeds to develop an outdoor ministry and new church. A church for "people that don't like church." I am the Pastor and have approval for these purchases. I thought after research it would be better to buy new not used if I could get around $10,000.
 
H

hegewisch

New member
kip said:
I can get you into 2 Yamaha 2010 Venture Lite's for not much more than that. Plus they are 4 stroke so you will se about 20 miles to the gallon and you won't have to add any oil. These are very comfortable and dependable 2 seaters and they are also fuel injected so they start very well and very easy. The Yamaha also has the highest resale value so if you ever decide to part with them they are still worth very good money. You are also welcome to come to our dealership and demo ride them. The looks may not be the best but you'll forget about that after you ride one as they are comfortable and easy on your wallet as far as maintenance and cost to run. Good Luck!! Kip

Pat's Motorsports, INC
Greenland, MI 49929
Authorized Yamaha Dealer
906-883-3536
Click to expand...

PM coming your way.
 
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