Picture this.

You’re floating over a sea of white, the smell of fresh pine filling your nose, it’s nothing but you and the great outdoors. Is it a dream? Nope, it’s you having a blast on your new snowmobile.

While it would be great to buy the shiniest, most up to date sled with all the newest features, it’s not always plausible as your bank account might agree.

But, there are some wonderful options for both new and used snowmobiles. The key is knowing which one is right for you.

Not sure which you should buy? Here are the answers you’ve been looking for.

Benefits of a New Snowmobile

Taking that sleek, glossy new sled out for a drive in the snow is definitely an attractive reason to buy new.

There should also be little to no maintenance involved. If you buy used, there is a chance the snowmobile could break, and if you don’t have the capabilities to fix it, (or have a sled savvy friend) you could be pulling more cash out of your wallet for someone else to fix it.

A brand new sled will also most likely come with a warranty, which is a wonderful security blanket if anything does go wrong.

Benefits of a Used Snowmobile

The word on everyone’s mind: money. A used snowmobile is going to cost a lot less than a brand new one. If you cannot afford a new snowmobile, it might be more beneficial to purchase a used one.

Do keep in mind that heavy maintenance may be a part of the equation, which can drive up unexpected costs later on even if you fix it yourself.

Know Your Budget

Before you start looking, give yourself a budget. New snowmobiles can go for $10,000 to $19,000, whereas used snowmobiles can go for $2,000 to $8,000.

Pretty big difference.

The last thing you want is to go into the dealership and get roped into buying something out of your price range. Be upfront with what you’re looking for and stick to your guns. There is no shame no matter what your budget may be!

And if paying upfront isn’t an option, try financing your snowmobile. This is a smart and easy way to get the sled of your dreams without breaking the bank all at once.

What Kind of Sledder Are You?

Take a moment to consider what kind of sledder you are.

How many times a year will you be using it? Where will you be snowmobiling? Is a snowmobile an important form of transportation for you?

If you are new to the sport or only interested in staying local when you take it out for a spin, buying used may be a great option for you. If you breakdown, you are still close to civilization and will most likely have tools around to fix it.

If you are more of an intense snowmobiler looking to put a lot of miles and wear and tear on your vehicle, new might be the way to go.

Say you go on a multiple-day journey through the distant woods and then breakdown, that’s a big uh oh moment. And if you aren’t with a friend or lucky enough to encounter a good samaritan to give you a ride home, you could be stuck.

If long, epic trips are something you are considering, buying new might be the safer option for you.

Upgrade Your Snowmobile

If you’re a seasoned sledder, it’s possible that you have an old snowmobile collecting dust in the back corner of your garage, among other things.

If this is the case (and you have lost sentimental value for it of course) consider upgrading your snowmobile. Dealerships can often provide an easy exchange process that will allow you to get rid of your old sled and make some extra cash for a new one.

Even if you think it’s not valuable anymore, it could still be worth a shot to check it out!

Choose a Reliable Seller

It’s important to be cautious about who you buy from, especially if you’re buying used. I hate to say it, but your neighbor with the “snowmobile for sale” sign stuck on his front lawn might not be your best option, even though I’m sure he’s a very nice guy.

Buying from a friend may also seem easy and safe, but in the end, may actually cause more problems than it solves. If the sled breaks and neither of you can fix it, that’s an argument waiting to happen.

In the end, you’re going to be much better off buying from a reliable dealership.

Once you find a seller you like, do some research on them to see if they’re credible and if others have had positive experiences with them. Look at the information and pictures they provide on each sled. Check to see if they have an outlet for you to ask questions.

And if they sell used, make sure they’ve inspected them at the dealership and determined whether they are good enough to buy.

What Brand Do You Want?

The most popular snowmobile brands are Skidoo, Polaris, and Yamaha. If budget is the concern, you can always look for older models of these brands that are unused. These may also still have a warranty intact, so you can have the same experience without paying the highest prices.

If you’re looking for special customizations, this could also be a reason to buy new.  It may be hard to find a used sled with everything on your wish list.

And whether you are buying new or used, take a moment to consider any other necessities that go along with snowmobile care such as covers, dollies, or ramps for storage during the off-season.

Look Online

Research, research, research!

This is a fun purchase, so have some fun on your internet search. At this step in the process, you don’t have to know exactly what you are looking for. Looking online can help you gauge what interests you and what the price points are for those sleds.

Compare different sites to see what the average prices are for each make and model, read reviews, and see who is offering the best deal for the best quality.

Particularly when you are buying used, make sure there are no visible imperfections on the showcased photo such as rust or large dents. And if there are, find a new seller. You want to buy from someone who is proud of their product, not someone who could care less about how it looks.

Check It Out in Person

After viewing it online, go see it in person! It can be exciting to finally see the product you’ve been researching and get the full concept of what you’re buying.

Like purchasing a car, if you can inspect the sled and even test drive it, that’s the best way to know how you like it, how it feels, and how it runs.

If you are looking at a used sled, look at both the internal and external components. Look for scratches, rust, ripped seats, and dents. If there are rips in the seats, water could get in and freeze in there.

Check the tracks, belt, wheels, and clutch. Listen to the engine, if it’s nice and smooth you’re all set. If not, reconsider your purchase.

Opening up the hood is also a necessary step because you’d rather see a problem at the dealership than back at home. Let’s say you lift it and see some stashed acorns…you might have a family of squirrels sharing your snowmobile with you!

Be Cool as Ice

Before you can look cool riding your snowmobile, you have to be cool while purchasing it too.

If you’re new to snowmobiling, don’t mention that to the seller. Make sure you do your research beforehand to ensure that you can talk the talk as if you were a seasoned pro. And if you are that seasoned pro, use your knowledge to get the best bang for your buck.

If you walk in there knowing exactly how much you want to spend, what kind of sled you want, and whether you want used or new, you will get the perfect snowmobile for your needs.

Go Get That Snowmobile

Now that you know all the advice for buying used vs new, are you ready to make your purchase? Of course, you are!

Click here for the best used and new snowmobile deals or contact us for more information.