Shirley, You Can't Be Serious?

[gary_in_neenah]

That's what I said, when I called our local Can Am/BRP Dealer to schedule an Oil and Filter change for my Spyder. You've probably seen them in the showroom or on the road. The thing is a "gas" to ride, like a snowmobile in the summer time. Ours is nine years old, bought new, almost trouble-free, just normal maintenance. I take it in for the oil change because it's a holy mess to do it yourself. Come to find out, the dealer will no longer service a Spyder that's more than 10 years old... Huh? What?

I'm told that it's a dealer policy, not Can Am/BRP, and quite common from what I've learned. 10 years and you're on your own. I've never heard of that on anything mechanical. I realize there's a lot of "tech" on these things but, 10 years? Heck I've got socks that are that old! Call me crazy but that's gotta put a dent in New Sales if they're only serviced for 10 years. And like most things today, a lot of stuff is proprietary so a local mechanic, if familiar, may be at a dead end in service.

I'm going to make a few phone calls yet and look into this further. I'm not going to name, names at this point but wanted to put this out there for discussion. If it's one line of their product, could there be more coming in the future? Caveat Emptor my friends and don't call me Shirley!

 

[skiroule]

Gary, a friend of mine had a somewhat similar experience when he ordered some factory parts for his 11 year-old MXZ. He not only had to pay a premium for the parts, he was told the parts were not returnable if he didn’t use them because his sled was considered “vintage” by BRP.

Unlike your case though, the dealer told him it was a BRP policy and the dealer was serious.

 

[wiscrev]

That's what I said, when I called our local Can Am/BRP Dealer to schedule an Oil and Filter change for my Spyder. You've probably seen them in the showroom or on the road. The thing is a "gas" to ride, like a snowmobile in the summer time. Ours is nine years old, bought new, almost trouble-free, just normal maintenance. I take it in for the oil change because it's a holy mess to do it yourself. Come to find out, the dealer will no longer service a Spyder that's more than 10 years old... Huh? What?

I'm told that it's a dealer policy, not Can Am/BRP, and quite common from what I've learned. 10 years and you're on your own. I've never heard of that on anything mechanical. I realize there's a lot of "tech" on these things but, 10 years? Heck I've got socks that are that old! Call me crazy but that's gotta put a dent in New Sales if they're only serviced for 10 years. And like most things today, a lot of stuff is proprietary so a local mechanic, if familiar, may be at a dead end in service.

I'm going to make a few phone calls yet and look into this further. I'm not going to name, names at this point but wanted to put this out there for discussion. If it's one line of their product, could there be more coming in the future? Caveat Emptor my friends and don't call me Shirley!

Gary, try Antigo Yamaha, they are my go to for service. I think they'll do it. They are great people and have helped me lot. Let me know. And please don't call me Shirley.

 

[whitedust]

I’m a proud owner of an Evinrude 150 and it’s been trouble free since 2010 when I bought it new on my Ranger. I think I need a new impeller since it overheated once last summer. Dealer was too busy to service in Fall so I made an appointment to service first week of May and I had to sweet talk them to take me then. I wasn’t at all happy regarding service response time and will let you know how it goes in May. I did read on dootalk awhile ago there was a problem with parts on some doo 800 sleds since they evolved to the 850. Recently I read that tariffs were affecting prices of new sleds but I’m not sure what’s ongoing with that. I know BRP is having layoff problems so suspect some rough times ahead.

 

[eagle1]

Wow that's ridiculous Gary. I understand if it's a parts thing...but an oil change.. that'd be last dime spent in that dealership.

 

[gary_in_neenah]

Here's what I've learned since the original post. It doesn't appear to be a Dealer Issue, more so the manufacturer. The dealers are just being cautious to take on a job that may require parts that are no longer available. The basic stuff like Oil Changes, Tires, etc. services should continue. But if you need a new clutch, computer hardware, etc. that could be a long wait for everyone. And it's not limited to BRP, Arctic Cat was also mentioned in the scarcity of some parts. Probably the best advice when you're buying a new or used anything, check to see how long they're going to support the product as that 10 or 15 years goes fast. I'm thinking that there's a great many 10 year old machines of all makes and models that are still in use and will be for some time. Maybe an opportunity, like NAPA has for automotive, would fill the void for our 10 year old toys. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

 

[mezz]

A similar scenario happened to me with a 7 year old Textron SxS. Needless to say, I don’t own it anymore. You might want to consider a 3 wheel Harley.

 

[whitedust]

A similar scenario happened to me with a 7 year old Textron SxS. Needless to say, I don’t own it anymore. You might want to consider a 3 wheel Harley.

Same with my Polaris genesis bye bye some time ago.

 

[dfattack]

I have a 2001 Mastercraft boat that is in as good shape now as it was when I first bought it new. I have not found anything I like better since. The problem I run into is Mastercraft claims they keep parts for their boats for 10 years. Sound familiar? I think this is nuts. Boats tend to stick around much longer than most cars and trucks. I cannot get a fuel sending unit from the dealer and have to find after market units as a replacement. If I ever do sell this boat and buy another one of my questions will be how many years can I get parts.