Snow in the Sky and Snowmobiles in the Air

How Handy Are You?

If you’re handy enough, buying used is your best bet on any vehicle. Provided everything basically works, you can upgrade, repair, troubleshoot, and fix as necessary. You’ll save a few hundred to a few thousand dollars this way. However, it’s not something everybody can do. Not everyone is handy. And even if you are, your “handiness” may be specific. 

For snowmobiles, there is a lot of money to be saved with a used vehicle. You can also waste money on a piece of junk you never use, and have no ability to sell. So if you’re going used, you’d better know what you’re about. In this writing we’ll cove a few tips on snowmobile acquisition to help save you some time and aggravation. 

If You’re New To Snowmobiles, Buying New May Be Wise

While there’s definitely something to be said for purchasing a used vehicle and learning “the hard way” how it’s supposed to work, if you’ve got the resources, for a snowmobile, you might want to buy new. This is a “fun” vehicle, generally. It’s not like a car. Unless you live in Siberia, northern Canada, or Alaska, this isn’t going to be a necessary conveyance. 

So buy new. First, research the dealer you’re considering. Ask around among friends who regularly hit the trails with their snowmobiles. What do they think, and why? If you can work with a reputable dealer, that will go a long way to assuring you get the right “sled” at the right price. 

Next, be sure you set a budget and known the market. There are plenty of bells and whistles on some beautiful toys for the snow. Those bells and whistles are generally confetti; they’re frosting on the cake, but they’re not that soft spongy angel-food. So be sure your budget is calibrated properly. 

From there, don’t get the most tricked-out option out there; you want to begin small and work your way up. Also, don’t buy in fall if you can. Buy when the snow starts melting and the dealership has to scramble to make their annual numbers; you’ll get better deals. Snow shows can also help you find a good unit, and may give you the opportunity to bid on or win a vehicle more cost-effectively than you would be able to otherwise. Lastly, buy the warranty. 

Used Snowmobile Considerations

Choose a brand you trust, think critically about what you need, what you want, and what’s likely available to you where you are, and take careful look of the “general look” of the snowmobile. If it’s got a bunch of rusted components, that’s a bad sign. If there are big stains under where it rests, that’s another bad sign—likely, it hasn’t been used as it should. 

Check under the hood, ask questions of the seller, and be sure to “test drive” the vehicle if at all possible. That goes for new and used snowmobiles. But if you’ve never purchased one before, will you know how it’s supposed to ride? So lastly, before buying new or used, go “sledding” with somebody who has one that works as it should so you can get a feel. 

Finding The Best Snowmobile For You

When you plan in advance before buying new or used, and pay attention to the details as summarized here, there’s a higher likelihood you’ll get a better vehicle at a reduced overall price. 

To learn more about this and other key pieces of information pertaining to snowmobile acquisition, cars, and more, be sure to explore our blog at Anybody’s Autos!