[MNnative]

Yep, and 2004 to 2007 REV 597cc 500SS can be had for $2,000 to $3,000.

I've seen lots of them listed locally and I've thought a lot about a REV. I just don't know that the locked in 'rider forward' position is for me. I'm tall and lanky and more used to a traditional riding style. That's why I'm leaning toward the IQ chassis, more freedom of rider movement.

 

[drewma]

I've seen lots of them listed locally and I've thought a lot about a REV. I just don't know that the locked in 'rider forward' position is for me. I'm tall and lanky and more used to a traditional riding style. That's why I'm leaning toward the IQ chassis, more freedom of rider movement.

Bottom line is that you are looking to buy a 10 year old sled. Keep an open mind, one may come for sale from any brand that is in such good shape for a reasonable price that you should buy it even if not your first choice. Doo or Poo, Fusion/IQ or REV, if 600, you will be fine. Had a bud that had a Cat F6, pretty sure it was 2006, that loved it. Good luck.

 

[Al Czervik]

I have an '05 600 Doo REV in family fleet as well as a couple Poo Fuze '06 600's. Both are rider forward with bulletproof engines. The '05 Doo sits a little more forward than the Fusion. You will adapt to either after you ride for 10 minutes...either one is a great $3000 choice.

This^^^^^^^^:bc2:

 

[drewma]

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.

 

[RemovedUser11456]

pro x 2

 

[mnstang]

if u are going to be hitting approaches with the authority I am assuming(clearing drives) u will be. U will fold up a doo in no time and fire cat is also out for that. if u can wrench a trail converted snopro or a sno pro with a f6/f7 motor dumped in it is usually cheep and built for hard ditch banging

This. If you're hitting ditches you want something you're not going to bend up instantly.
Also the fusion was considered a flop. I have a few Polaris buddies and even they don't want to touch one.

Cat zr chassis is old school seating but very tough. Cat snopros are extremely tough and 08+ is the better chassis. The 500 was a consumer version. 100 mile trail rides are nothing.

I've been riding MN my whole life, you don't want or need a long track. You'll be just fine with a 1.25-1.5 short track.

Snopro with a consumer 500 installed, oil injection. You won't break this, and it'll be super fun, won't hold you back to do or hit anything. 2004 Arctic Cat Sno Pro 440/500 Conversion

 

[Kicker806]

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.

 

[drewma]

This. If you're hitting ditches you want something you're not going to bend up instantly.
Also the fusion was considered a flop. I have a few Polaris buddies and even they don't want to touch one.

Cat zr chassis is old school seating but very tough. Cat snopros are extremely tough and 08+ is the better chassis. The 500 was a consumer version. 100 mile trail rides are nothing.

I've been riding MN my whole life, you don't want or need a long track. You'll be just fine with a 1.25-1.5 short track.

Snopro with a consumer 500 installed, oil injection. You won't break this, and it'll be super fun, won't hold you back to do or hit anything. 2004 Arctic Cat Sno Pro 440/500 Conversion

I am happy there are guys out there like you that consider the Fusion a flop and wouldn't touch one...makes them cheap to buy. Watch 600's on Craigslist...they don't stay on very long...can't say that about 700's and 900's...but any 600 that is reasonably priced is usually sold pretty quick.

 

[Kicker806]

I am happy there are guys out there like you that consider the Fusion a flop and wouldn't touch one...makes them cheap to buy. Watch 600's on Craigslist...they don't stay on very long...can't say that about 700's and 900's...but any 600 that is reasonably priced is usually sold pretty quick.

^^Exactly. All the "bad reviews" are what makes the 600 a good snag. Whether accurate or not, markets do get swayed by internet chat.

 

[tundrafreak]

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.

 

[MNnative]

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.

 

[MattSFfrd]

I'm kind of in the same situation as the person who started this thread (though i'm only 5'9" and wouldn't be doing much ditch banging). A lot of people here are recommending the fusions, should i stay away from the 700's? i've heard mixed views to say the least. there's a really low mileage (19xx), woman-driven '06 on craigslist near me for $3000. there's also an '06 fusion 600 for $2700 with 24xx miles. i have a text out to both owners right now. i'm also considering an '03 sx viper 700 for $1200 but that has 4000 miles.

 

[minirips2]

I'm kind of in the same situation as the person who started this thread (though i'm only 5'9" and wouldn't be doing much ditch banging). A lot of people here are recommending the fusions, should i stay away from the 700's? i've heard mixed views to say the least. there's a really low mileage (19xx), woman-driven '06 on craigslist near me for $3000. there's also an '06 fusion 600 for $2700 with 24xx miles. i have a text out to both owners right now. i'm also considering an '03 sx viper 700 for $1200 but that has 4000 miles.

My buddy has a Fusion 700. Several thousand miles on it. It started running rough on the trail last year. We pulled the plugs, and they were shot. They were the original plugs from the factory, never been out. Electrodes were eroded, but nice tan color. Fresh plugs, and he's good to go. I wouldn't call that a problem riddled sled. The 600's are smoother running, though. His pulls hard, considering he's never clutched it.

 

[drewma]

I'm kind of in the same situation as the person who started this thread (though i'm only 5'9" and wouldn't be doing much ditch banging). A lot of people here are recommending the fusions, should i stay away from the 700's? i've heard mixed views to say the least. there's a really low mileage (19xx), woman-driven '06 on craigslist near me for $3000. there's also an '06 fusion 600 for $2700 with 24xx miles. i have a text out to both owners right now. i'm also considering an '03 sx viper 700 for $1200 but that has 4000 miles.

Problem with 700's are they are really 900's with cylinders sleeved down to 755 CC's. I have an '06 Classic 700, it is 755 CC's in IQ plastic that has been absolutely trouble free. It vibrates like crazy...not unbearable...but it numbs your hands and feet after long rides. My buddy I mentioned below bought a Fuze 7(I assume same engine as my 700 Classic)and is in the process of selling it due to the vibration and replacing with a Fuze 6. If either the two sleds you mentioned were in Michigan this particular buddy would buy one without hesitation.

Can't help you on Fuze 600 prices...In Michigan, prices appear much higher then any other state. My buddy bought a Fuze 600 just recently with 1500 miles on it for $3750 and the lady selling it said she had four people to call back if he didn't take it.

 

[Fast 440]

I am very surprised that nobody has mentioned a crossfire? Some of the older 600, 700 crossfires would be perfect for bigger taller riders, especially if you found a mtn seat for it?

 

[MattSFfrd]

My buddy has a Fusion 700. Several thousand miles on it. It started running rough on the trail last year. We pulled the plugs, and they were shot. They were the original plugs from the factory, never been out. Electrodes were eroded, but nice tan color. Fresh plugs, and he's good to go. I wouldn't call that a problem riddled sled. The 600's are smoother running, though. His pulls hard, considering he's never clutched it.

yeah the problems i've heard are with the vibration, not reliability or anything like that. the vibration would probably drive me nuts after a while. unfortunately the 600 has been sold and the guy just left the ad up. i probably would have grabbed it. i might just grab that viper 700 for $1200.

 

[MattSFfrd]

Problem with 700's are they are really 900's with cylinders sleeved down to 755 CC's. I have an '06 Classic 700, it is 755 CC's in IQ plastic that has been absolutely trouble free. It vibrates like crazy...not unbearable...but it numbs your hands and feet after long rides. My buddy I mentioned below bought a Fuze 7(I assume same engine as my 700 Classic)and is in the process of selling it due to the vibration and replacing with a Fuze 6. If either the two sleds you mentioned were in Michigan this particular buddy would buy one without hesitation.

Can't help you on Fuze 600 prices...In Michigan, prices appear much higher then any other state. My buddy bought a Fuze 600 just recently with 1500 miles on it for $3750 and the lady selling it said she had four people to call back if he didn't take it.

yeah like i said above the vibration would drive me crazy or i would probably jump on that 700. the 600 has been sold. i'm in Maine btw.

 

[comatoast]

Ski-Doo Renegade X 600 mint - $2900
Ski-Doo Renegade X 600 mint

 

[Kicker806]

I am very surprised that nobody has mentioned a crossfire? Some of the older 600, 700 crossfires would be perfect for bigger taller riders, especially if you found a mtn seat for it?

Crossfire would be good, too, but I think he's trying to stay south of $3000.

 

[mnstang]

Crossfire

Really don't need a long track for MN or worth the trade off but here are a bunch of cheap crossfires.

2006 arctic cat crossfire 700
2008 Arctic Cat Crossfire 500

2006 arctic cat crossfire
06 Arctic Cat Crossfire 700
2006 crossfire
2008 Arctic Cat Crossfire 500
2006 arctic cat crossfire 700