I picked up a pretty darn nice 2010 snopro 500 from the dealer for 3800 this fall. You could maybe find one a tad less but not by much but this is a really fun sled. I'd look for something light and rider forward and a pretty bulletproof machine so you're not wrenching on it more than riding. Not sure how much the early rev chassis go for or even if they're good at this point, skiddoo doesn't seem to hold up as good over time.

 

That's a smokin' price. I've never seen one that cheap that was still intact.

 

3K would be the cleanest lowest mileage best taken care of rider forward sled you can find and probably a 600cc sled..... (if you can find any in that price range in your area at this time of year)

03 or newer Ski Doo Rev
06 or newer Polaris IQ or Fusion (600 Only on fusion)
Arctic Cat Twinspar, crossfire, etc
etc...

 

There are several 600 fusions in the price range, quite a few 03'-05' Rev's and I've seen a couple newer twinspars (the ones that look like tony the tiger on acid).

I like most of what I've read about the twinspar, just unsure of how it would handle ditch riding.

I like the Rev idea but every time I think that's the route I want to go I end up questioning the reliability of the engines (and my heart whispers "arctic cat"_

The IQ/Fusion route is probably not a bad one but I just haven't read much good about them.

I've even been kicking around something like a ZR 800 CCE but I'm guessing it's pretty old school in rider position and not the greatest for a long, lanky guy like myself?

 

I'm guessing you're looking for something to just go out when it snows and pound ditches, hit the local trail maybe, etc. I would steer away from a twin spar. They are probably the best pure trail sled but I don't like them for anything else, they just aren't an off trail play machine. I am your size and still have my zr 900. It does everything you need but you can't maneuver it like a rider forward. I still ride it the same with my feet right under my butt but most people probably just can't do that and you'll feel it in your knees afterward. I reluctantly will also mention Yamaha phazer but I don't know prices and the sp500 is way better than it. 3 grand is a tough price point. You're close to good stuff and whatever you do get will likely need $$ attention right away.. If you can spend a little more you'll get alot more.

 

I'll probably end up with a ski doo REV platform. It sounds as if they're a good blend of trail/ditch performance and comfort. I'm just a little gun shy about their engine offerings as far as reliability.

 

SkiDoo Go 600 or 500ss
Cheap and durable.

Ditches are for sno pros.....

 

Which sno pro are you referring to? They seem to have offered some version called 'sno pro' every year since at least 2003.

 

F7s way to go for that amount u want to spend

 

Is the F7 (firecat) generally considered a better ditch/trail combo machine than a ZR 800?

 

Get a 06 if there out there tunnels are weak in the older f7s

 

Oh absolutely much better bitch Banger

 

Nothing at all wrong with the Fusion or iq 600's at all.

 

Is the Fusion as 'rider forward' as the early REV's? I'm thinking that rider forward is probably what I want for the rough, drifted ditches with lots of approaches that I'll be riding.

 

Yup iqs are nice

 

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/snw/5342190273.html like this or https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/snw/5383341259.html this or https://stcloud.craigslist.org/snw/5347911050.html

 

Nope. I explained that in my original post (i think) snow was shit and I got more into ice fishing and forgot all about a sled.

 

a few in your price range

2007 Arctic Cat F8 Sno Pro - Orange - Reverse

2002 arctic cat ZR 800 Cross country

2006 Arctic Cat Crossfire 700

2004 Arctic Cat Mountain Cat 1M 600 EFI

02 zr 800

02 ZR 800 EFI

Artic Cat ZR 800

 

I've looked at most of those. I was pretty close to settled on a different ZR 800 CC which I believe is a heck of a good sled but I just couldn't convince myself that I wanted to get into a machine with the old style, rider aft, geometry.

I'm liking what I'm reading on a 600 fusion right now, that might be a good compromise for me...

 

I love my 06 440 Sno Pro and I'm coming off a Procross F8 Sno pro. If you don't mind trail converting it or can find one trail converted that the way to go IMO.

 

A trail converted racer would probably be a blast to ride for a few miles but I want something that I can head out on a 100+ mile trail run with (comfortably)

I've pretty much narrowed it down to a Polaris Fusion 600 or a Ski Doo Renegade 600 SDI.

Being 6'2, I think I'd like the seating position better on the Polaris but I really like the idea of the longer track on the Renegade for running off-trail those times when we get a good snowfall. It seems like everybody who has made the switch from a 120" to a longer track says they'd never go back. I wonder why Polaris didn't offer the Fusion 600 with a longer track?

(I haven't had the chance to ride either machine unfortunately so my decision is being made based solely on research)

 

Its actually a pretty comfy sled and like the ergos a lot. I have a 12 MXZx 800 to ride also. The over all feel is very close but the SP has a taller and stiffer seat that you can get further forward on which I like. I also like the foot position on the 440 better since the tunnel is flat despite not really having foot wells to tuck you toes into. You could revalve the shocks if you want a plusher ride. Another sled I would look for is a IQ RR race sled and trail convert it. 100 mile days are not bad at all on these racers and they are the ultimate ditch bangers in your price range.

 

My wife has a 03 REV

I am 6'5" 265 lbs.

I think the thing is uncomfortable as hell for me. I have to reach way too far forward to grab the handlebars and I really have to scrunch my legs to sit on the thing.

I was real surprised I thought I would really like it but I hate it. Glad its hers.

Have you tried sitting on a early REV yet? Might be comfortable for you but I dunno. I am not the most flexible person anymore either lol

 

REV Chassis... 05 and up
If its 03 or 04, make sure it has the piston rings update done

#1 make sure space between front shocks and top a-arms are the same (behind and in front of the shock spring itself)

#2 compression test

#3 If you buy it, immediately pop off the primary clutch and put a new PTO Crank seal in it.. it can save you $1500 down the road, if these seal is leaking it will burn the engine down.

 

I would suggest looking into what you can find over the border since you aren't too far. The US dollar is real good against the Canadian dollar right now. For instance, I just bought a '13 Ski Doo Renegade 800 E-Tec with 4000 miles on it for $6100. That sled is impossible to find down here for much less than $8500. Cost me $400 to have the dealer ship it over the border but it's so worth it.

 

The only thing holding me back from a Fusion is track length, (and they're not exactly pretty) I don't want to be handcuffed when we get some nice deep, drifty snow in the ditches or if I want to head across a drifted in slough or lake.

What about a 2006-2007 Switchback 600? Similar price range, same engine and longer track. Pros and cons vs Fusion?

 

We get some pretty deep lake effect snow in NW lower Michigan where I ride and I get thru pretty good on my 121" track Fusion with 1.25" lugs. Switch 6 price for a decent sled is going to be higher than a 121" track from my looking at comparable sleds, tough to find a rider forward 600 for $3,000 that is low miles and worth a damn. The Fusion and IQ are virtually the same sled with different plastic. Not sure if any of the 600 Switchies are fuel injected and never rode a Polaris 136"...hopefully someone else will chirp in.

 

What's the general consensus on reliability of the Polaris 600 HO Cleanfire? I've done a little reading and seen some folks say that they're terrible and others say bullet proof...

 

They are fine bud, The 600 sb polaris motors are very good. Carb or inj.

 

Look in Polaris for sale forum. Jim(Fastsleddr) from Beaver Dam, Wisconsin has a Fusion for sale. Not sure how close you are to him but he is constantly on this site and I would be willing to bet his sled for sale is a good one.

 

I have been in touch with Jim and am interested in his Fusion. From everything I've gathered, I think a Fusion would be a good fit for me. My only concern is (short track) being stuck to only trail and ditch, unable to venture off into the hills, lakes, sloughs, ect. when we do get a good snowfall.

 

pro x 2

 

Couple things I'll comment on after reading through this thread -

1) You said you're 6'2" and lanky. I'm a bit taller (6'6") and just couldn't get comfortable on the Rev chassis - constantly hitting my knees. Nothing against the Doos, just an ergos thing.

2) '06-'07 IQ Switchbacks are 144" and also uncoupled. Not that they are not capable, but would NOT be my first choice for "ditchbanging". An '08 or newer Switch has a 136" coupled, but will likely put you a bit beyond your stated price point. Currently riding two of them and love 'em.

3) I've owned four Fusions - 3 900's and a 600. If rider-forward is a priority, a 600HO would be my choice. 98% of the bad reviews of the Fusions are about the 700 and 900's (although, with a little effort, they run hard, too!). The 600HO's are a great ride and very dependable overall. Keep in mind they are carbed, not CFI. Maybe a 600 Fusion with a 136 extension would fill your bill?

4) If you could settle for something that is not rider-forward, a ZR Cross Country or a Pro-X would be on my short list. XCSP's also a great trail sled. For ditchin', I'd stay away from an M-10. Just helped a friend with buying a really nice 2003 Pro-X 700 for $2300.

Just my $.02.

 

I owned 2 IQs.
A 2006 Fusion 600 blue & black.
That sled just ripped. It did need some initial service checks for the chain case cover, some minor stuff.
I also had some lightning issues that needed updated parts.
I remember taking out some small bulbs in my headlight to help ease the draw.
The reason I got rid of it is because the ergos felt to big for me so if you are a big guy than it would a great choice.

My other one was a 2007 IQ 600 LX.
It was the one with the 128 and M10.
The sled was ok.
We bought it because it was a deal (the seller was deploying). T
hat one also gave me trouble with the Front Torque Arm & I cannot say I loved the handling.
It seemed to steer much easier with a pair of SLP Straight Line tracker skis.
I could never get the suspension right on that M10.

Of the pair, the 2006 Fusion 600 was my favorite sled & is one of those I wish I kept.