Any such thing as a good $1000 snowmobile?

[scoutabout]

Headed to the cabin last weekend for the first time in the winter, ever. No running water, colder n carp, big hassles hiking the last bit of unplowed road hauling wood and water on toboggans....in short - what a blast! My friends and I can't believe what we've been missing all these years. The peace and silence on the frozen lake was incredible.

Anyway, future adventures such as this would be greatly helped by having a snow machine I could use to shuttle back and forth from the car to the cabin hauling people and supplies.

Now, I know these things can run many, many thousands for a nice fast one. The question is, can a pokey, reliable one be had for little dollars? This thing would not be used much - maybe three or four times a winter for a ride of maybe three miles total each time. Naturally, then you can see why I don't want to tie up tons of money here.

Or to turn it around, if I was looking at a high mileage, low dollar machine, what items can I expect to be pooched or close to. I've ridden them before and and semi-mechanically inclined, but have had no experience maintaining one, much less what to look for when buying one.

Any hints, tips, or advice on further reading or knowledge appreciated. Brand doesn't much matter to me. I'm looking for whatever passes for tried, true, and bullet proof. The 1980 Chev Malibu of the tundra as it were - if such a thing exists...

 

[64osby]

Re: Any such thing as a good $1000 snowmobile?

I bought a 1994 skidoo safari XL 440 4 years ago for $650.00. Repaired the skis last year and changed the CDI this year. Other than that it has run great. No it doesn't do 100MPH, but I don't do that in my car, why would I want to do it on a sled.

Look a round springs a great time to find a great deal on a used sled.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Any such thing as a good $1000 snowmobile?

Last one I had, I paid 500 for it and had a ball on it for about 4 years, then gave it to the neighbors kid's and they have been having a ball on it the last couple of years, summer time is the best time to get a good sled on the cheap, in fact around where I live, it is amazing how many sleds I could go pick up for free during the summer that run and have great equipment included.

My last sled, that was a 96, that I paid 500 for, would top out about 70 mph..

 

[wifisher]

Re: Any such thing as a good $1000 snowmobile?

if you just want a cheap usable sled, you can get one that will last a long time for 1000. just like anything else, take care of it and it will last a long time. Neglect it and it will leave you. I would look for an air cooled 440. Around here at least they are everywhere. No need to worry about antifreeze or running without snow. Usually only a problem on windblown lakes. I don't know if that matters to you. Not fast so they usually haven't been beaten up by go fast kids.

 

[BF]

Re: Any such thing as a good $1000 snowmobile?

For what you describe, I'd look for an older fan cooled 2 up sled... like a Polaris Indy Trail. Or an Arctic Cat prowler (440 liquid) might be another option. Both can be had with 2 up seating and small cargo rack. Yes, you can find a decent one for $1000 (or less). Track condition is important b/c tracks are expensive to replace. Consider buying it on the off season so you have time to do maintenance on it while it's nice and warm out. Expect to replace the hyfax (sliders) in the rear suspension, as well as inspect/replace bearings within the idler wheels as needed. Basically, expect to remove pull the rear skid frame and go through it. Once you've done that, at the start, you can go quite a while with just greasing things and replacing things that go bad under there as things come up. You may come across some faster sleds in that price range too, but they have a much higher probability of being beaten up from use than more of a family/work horse type.

It's possible that you may actually enjoy sledding so, I'd say not to go really small/cheap. I bought a single cylinder (250 cc fan cooled) Bravo a couple years back for $450 (I think?). It's about a 2/3 sized sled that I had bought it for my kids to ride, but found I actually like it myself for putting around the cabin, or for running from the fish house to the cabin for snacks. I can pick up the front end easily. But when I'm going for a ride, I much prefer the Indy 500 (liquid). Not a real racer, but fast enough ~85 or so. By BIL's Indy trail fan tops out around 65 on hard pack... it's a 93 and has been dead reliable despite being fairly abused.

 

[rbh]

Re: Any such thing as a good $1000 snowmobile?

Fan cooled are nice and reliable, if your riding ice look for something with studs, if your in deep snow go with a paddle track.
Yammy Phazer's are good, skidoo tundra is light, right now I am riding a summit 700 with a 141", 2 inch paddle track, non turbo.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Any such thing as a good $1000 snowmobile?

...Not a real racer, but fast enough ~85 or so. ....

LOL - I love it. I was thinking something that could hit 40 would be plenty fast enough but obviously I'm thinking too small .

Great advice guys - thanks and keep it coming if there's more. It's exactly what I'd hoped my knowledgable iboats bretheren could offer.

I had no idea there were both liquid cooled and air cooled universes to consider so that's good to get straight. I've also heard people talk about slider replacement but didn't know what those were til now. Also good to know I'm not off my stick for hoping that budget could land a half decent machine. I was worried my question was akin to the boating noob who wants to know if a grand could land him a Merc Verado. Thanks also for the best time to buy advice.

As for enjoying it as a sport unto itself, I'm already feeling that special draw that any self-propelled motorized vehicle tends to have on a guy's gut. Trying real hard to stay bone stock practical for the time being tho. Much better chance of getting the funding past the Domestic Finance Committee.... Yes - freeing up even a lousy thousand that's not going to food, shelter, or children requires careful thought and some strategy...