You want to buy a snowmobile, but you are unsure of if you should buy new or used? That is why we have created this helpful little article for you.
It does not matter who you talk to as everyone will tell you the most significant advantage to a used snowmobile is the cost and the most significant disadvantage to a new snowmobile is the cost. Regardless always remember that it is your hard earned cash and it is up to you to find the best way to maximize your income, so read on and we will guide you through this minefield.
The new vs old snowmobile question is a lot like gas vs diesel. There are different opinions on this topic but you are smart and can think for yourself when making a decision.
The types of sled
So you are going to spend your money but what kind of snowmobile should you buy? Will this snowmobile be one that lasts you forever, or is it an entry level model to see how you feel about sledding? Do you think you can ride a big horsepower sled or do you want to start low and work your way up? Do you want to go touring or to race?
There are different types of snowmobiles but I will explain them shortly. You need to buy the one that suits you best. You know yourself better. If you are a total beginner you should definitely buy an Entry Level/Trail Snowmobile. After you get used to it, you can sell it and get a race one if you want. But this will take some time.
Entry level/Trail Snowmobile
An entry-level snowmobile does what it says it is. It is a low horsepower snowmobile, typically around 60-70 horsepower. These models are designed for ease of use; as 
such, you will find them to be maneuverable and equipped with an electric start and reverse.
Performance/Race Snowmobile
As you can imagine a performance snowmobile has a lot more horses under its skin than an entry-level snowmobile, we would be looking at more than 85 horsepower. Pure race models and we would be looking at 150 bhp. That is a lot of power; this power means that you will have upgraded suspension and shock absorbers. Pull your throttle and off you go.
Mountain Snowmobile
Mountain snowmobiles are probably not the model you want if you are racing about on frozen lakes. These models are designed to take you where the land gets steep and technical. Because of this, a mountain snowmobile will be narrower and longer than a typical snowmobile. They will also feature a high horsepower engine; this is due to the high altitude effects on your horsepower. They also have deep lugs on their tracks to help you power through powder.
Touring Snowmobile
Touring snowmobiles have something that most other snowmobiles do not; they have two seats, generally including a backrest. They will also come with mirrors and a much larger windscreen. These snowmobiles are all about comfort. To help provide comfort, they will have a longer track length.
Utilitarian Snowmobile
Want to carry items around in winter, then a utilitarian snowmobile is for you. Think of the utilitarian snowmobile as the brawn of the snowmobile family. They will be long, fat, and a little bit heavier than other snowmobiles.
Crossover/Hybrid Snowmobile
If you can’t decide where you want to ride or you ride a bit of everything, then these are the snowmobiles for you. Think of them like a trail model that can also take you off into the woods and into the hills to explore.
Now that you know how the different styles of snowmobiles are called and what they are designed for, it is time to look at the pros and cons of buying a new or second-hand sled.
Buying new
The biggest pro for buying a new snowmobile is that you know you will not have to spend time in the garage to get your snowmobile ready for winter. To go with this, you should also be getting a warranty, meaning if there is a mechanical issue then your dealer should fix it for free; allowing you to keep grease free hands and not have to spend your time in the garage fixing your sled.
This peace of mind does come at a cost though. You will be paying more for your new sled than you would by going second-hand. It is up to you to work out if this peace of mind is worth the extra cost. The additional cost should also contain the latest technology; this can be both a pro and a con. If it works life will be better, but if it has first generation gremlins, then you can be seeing a lot more of your dealer than you want to.
Use credit?
You can also finance the cost if you are buying new. Does that sled seem a lot more affordable now that you are paying it over three years? Well, make sure it is a sled that will last you three years. As well as this finance and warranty you are getting precisely the snowmobile you want; this might not happen in the used market. You are also getting a sled that has not been ragged, as it has zero miles on it.
Never let an unscrupulous dealer talk you into a sled. You do not need to be buying a high horsepower sled for your first snowmobile. You will not learn how to use it correctly, and it may even be dangerous to go this way. Similarly, do not tell the dealer you are a god on a snowmobile when you have only ever gone round your friend’s yard on one.
Tips for buying used
Buying used is slightly more complicated. A good dealer will help you to the correct sled for what you need one for. Someone selling a used sled wants to be rid of their old one. They may be slightly more economical with the truth of what sled suits you and your needs. In both cases, you are buying the snowmobile and not the seller/dealer.
This is why you need to do your homework first before buying second-hand. Using our handy guide above should help to tell you what family of snowmobile you want. If you want a touring sled do not suddenly and impulsively buy a mountain snowmobile because it is a bargain; it is not a bargain if it does not do what you want it to do.
The biggest pro to buying a used snowmobile as we have already said is cost. You can save a lot of money by buying second-hand. To save money through means that you will have to do a lot of internet research to find the right sled at a great price, you might get lucky, and ten mins before you start looking your dream sled might have been posted for sale. Generally, you will not be that lucky but never give in and settle for something else.
How to buy used
When you have found the sled of your dreams, contact the seller and never be too enthusiastic. Go over the listing, making sure that everything is the same as what they said. Double check the mileage, have they listed it in miles, but put kilometers “by accident” to make it seem more attractive? Be cynical, not overly so, but do not allow yourself to be talked into a pile of rubbish.
An excellent rule for buying a second-hand sled, or anything else, is never, ever buy from a friend. If you buy from your friend and your snowmobile breaks down, who will you blame? We all know sleds will break down, they have a hard life, so do not kill your friendship because you might save a few bucks.
Now you have talked to the seller, verified all the details and are going to look at the snowmobile. Can you take a friend who is a good snowmobile mechanic with you? You do not want to take the friend who knows everything but really knows nothing, makes sure you can tell the difference between these two people.
When you turn up, vet the person selling the snowmobile. How do you feel about them? Do they look like they bought this snowmobile last year, hardly used it due to work, and now you are getting a genuine bargain? Do they look like they have spent all the previous winter thrashing the sled and possibly not taking the best care of it? If it is the former, great if it is the latter you probably want to walk away. If it is somewhere in between the two, you’ll have to check the snowmobile over properly.
Buying a sled as a beginner
If you don’t know much about snowmobiles, do not give this away. Always remember you have two eyes, two ears, and one mouth. Check the sled over, listen to what the seller says, does it seem believable. Watch their body language, look for clues and do not let yourself be talked into spending your cash. Have your friend help keep you from getting too excited and use them to help you bargain a better price.
You can also if you look find a great used sled that is still in warranty and has been perfectly looked after by the previous owner, including all servicing completed by the local dealer. This is the Holy Grail of used sales. You will have saved a lot of cash, but you are still getting a sled that will run as well as a new one.
The snowmobile brands
A quick word on snowmobile brands. According to 2017 sales, there are four main brands of snowmobiles.
- BRP (Ski-Doo)
- Polaris
- Arctic Cat
- Yamaha
Between them, BRP and Polaris take 80% of the market. These then are more likely to be the brands you will see second hand. So if you pick either of these two then scouring the used sales may be your best way to a bargain. Yamaha though only has 4% of the market, so if you fancy a particular Yamaha model, you will find it much easier to buy new.
Conclusion
If you have money, the new sled will be more enjoyable as it will require little to no maintenance. On the other hand, the used snowmobile offers a great price and it’s great for beginners. If you don’t mind or even like the maintenance part, you should go for it (you will save a lot of money).
You can use a new sled for a long time, the technology is new, the parts are also new, but you have to pay the price. The experience of a new sled with the latest technology is great, but even older snowmobiles offer a great experience. For a beginner, I think a used sled is the way to go, what do you think? New vs Old Snowmobile? Leave a comment below and let me know.
Also, if you kept a history of maintenance work, I’m curious to see how much you paid to replace old parts or to repair the sled.
