Here in New York prices are exactly like you are seeing. A 20 year old, short track, basic Sled, with 4000 miles on it and a track that is about worn out will still bring $2500 unless you find a seller that is really motivated to sell or something. I would say it is still cheaper to buy a slightly newer model Then it is to buy an older one that needs repair, because parts are outrageously expensive as well. Also realize that almost any $3-4k machine is liable to need repair and parts before it is mountain or trail ready.
I do have a buddy who manages to find deals like you are looking for, but he carries cash in his pocket and is ready to get in his truck and drive almost any distance at almost any hour of the day or night to make it happen. He buys and sells like that, -almost at the addiction sort of level

 

Mountain sled prices have dropped a ton in the last 12 months. If I was going to buy a long track for around $2500, it’d be a 2006-2011 M6, M7, M8 or M1000. Lots out there in your price range and they’re pretty darn reliable and capable.

There are newer sleds in the price range too if you have the cash ready to buy when a deal pops up. A 2016 M8000 162 popped up where I live for $2500 a couple weeks back. It needed a track but was back on marketplace for $6k two days later.

 

Somebody was hurting there or something. That’s a 6k sled, here in NY. I got 5500 for a ‘12 short track last winter

 

Completely agree, just saying that deals like this pop up occasionally and if you have the cash to buy quickly, there are great deals out there to be had right now.

 

I live in Green Bay and the off-trail sled market still has high prices. The UP has become quite the destination and guys like me are looking to buy a second sled for off trail. I've looked at making my Assault better for off trail, but in the end I'm better off buying a Pro-Ride or IQ chassis. I know there are many others in my same position.

Especially if you're new to off trail or mountain riding, don't' be afraid to ride older iron. I'm still very new to all this and I run out of talent way before I run out of sled.

 

If I had seen that around here, or even within 150 miles or so, I would’ve been in the truck immediately. Did it sell fast again at 6000? It would around here.

 

I have a buddy that has a old zr900 Mountain cat, 2003 I think, that he bought new. It seemed really long at a time but it’s probably what, 144? Looks like new, I bet it does not have 1500 miles on it, he would not sell it for $2500

 

Don't forget that a new track would have cost around $1000.

@SGPopp I would not like 'old iron'. Depends on how old, but with the new-ish sleds mountain riding/off trail riding is much easier. The handling, the getting it on a side, the balancing. So if you're new to it, I'd advise newer iron.

 

I agree with the improvements on newer sled, no doubt.

 

I agree with that as well. Although I am not into mountain riding, because we don’t have mountains around here, I’d still buy a machine like that if I could steal one like that

 

As I said that I just realize that guys thinking like me are probably helping to keep the used prices higher than they need to be

 

I've owned and only have had mountain sleds since 2006. Back then I was riding an IQ RMK, then I bought a new 2008 IQ RMK, Then I got a ProRide PRORMK. It was day and night easier and better to get on edge for side hilling and carving then the IQ. Just better all around. Then I got an Axys, this was as big of an improvement over the Proride and the proride was over the IQ. Put a 36" front end under it and its like cheating. So easy.

 

I see some good deals on used mountain sleds in the vintage you're talking about here in Minnesota and wisconsin. I think the common theme is guys get all revved up about mountain riding and go and spend a lot of money on a mountain sled and then discover it's expensive and time consuming to actually use it. Then it hits the used market.

Unfortunately in general now is about the worst time of year to be buying. If you're willing to travel a long ways and you can find a seller that's willing to wait two or three days for you to get there there are some bargains in non mountain states.

 

I just wonder how long folks will sit on these before prices start to come down. When there's a half dozen iq rmk 600/700 for $3500 that have been listed for weeks/months apparently the market wont bear that price.

Usually when I decide to list something for sale I want it gone and continue to adjust the price till I find where the market is. I spoke with a fella yesterday whose had a 2007 summit 800 listed for months at 3k what he could come down to and 2800 was all the farther he'd budge. Once our call was over I saw he bumped the ad back up at the same 3k

 

Click on my name or look over in the cats for sale section and find the three $6-13k machines that I have sold pretty fast within the last 11 months. I usually price things high, and get it. There are no trail ready machines here in New York for $3000, not that I’ve seen anyway

 

I think the common theme is guys get all revved up about mountain riding and go and spend a lot of money on a mountain sled and then discover it's expensive and time consuming to actually use it. Then it hits the used market.

That's not only with mountain sleds, is it?! Seems to me that's with sledding in general.

I just wonder how long folks will sit on these before prices start to come down. When there's a half dozen iq rmk 600/700 for $3500 that have been listed for weeks/months apparently the market wont bear that price.

Usually when I decide to list something for sale I want it gone and continue to adjust the price till I find where the market is. I spoke with a fella yesterday whose had a 2007 summit 800 listed for months at 3k what he could come down to and 2800 was all the farther he'd budge. Once our call was over I saw he bumped the ad back up at the same 3k

I think they'd rather keep it for themselves for another season (or maybe as back-up), than sell it below a certain price.

 

Well I through a fella an offer on an 08 dragon 700 155" with 2500mi and he bit so guess Ill be running to hopefully pick up a sled sunday!