Looking to buy a Viper

[shockwave]

I just put an add to sell my Phazer. I am looking at getting a used Viper. What model in general are the best to buy? What should I be carful about when looking at one?

Thanks

 

[yamaha4sea_fan24]

I just put an add to sell my Phazer. I am looking at getting a used Viper. What model in general are the best to buy? What should I be carful about when looking at one?

Thanks

Motors are bulletproof. Don't turbo a 2016 model... Depends what type of trails you ride. I prefer the 129 inch model only becuase 90% of my riding is tight twisty trails. If you ride more long sweeping corners (UP Michigan) a 137 track length would better suit you and would help to bridge bumps. LE Models have all the bells and whistles. Just try to find a deal. I just picked up a used 2018 Viper RTX 129 for my fiancee for $7300 with tons of extras.

 

[shockwave]

Right now, I am looking at a 2014 DX model. 137 track. Are there any problem that I should be aware with this model? The dealer is asking under 6000$ canadien for it. It has 17000km. He is giving me 3500 in trade in value for my Phazer.

 

[Mills]

Make sure any year/model you get has all the factory recall/updates done, get the 2019 ECU flash, check tunnel where the rear suspension W-arm bolts into it to make sure the tunnel is not bent around the bolt heads, check the shock mounts and bar are not bent for front shock in rear suspension, check to make sure bearings in rear tensioning wheel (tri-hub) are ok, check to make sure reverse actuator is not cracked and it works, check to see if chain case is leaking, remove air box and look to see if steering gate bracket broken/welds let go or if the nut on the steering shaft has backed way off - both issues cause a lot of slop in the steering.

 

[yamaha4sea_fan24]

Right now, I am looking at a 2014 DX model. 137 track. Are there any problem that I should be aware with this model? The dealer is asking under 6000$ canadien for it. It has 17000km. He is giving me 3500 in trade in value for my Phazer.

That's a pretty good deal for only 1700 km (roughly 1000 miles) in my parts. If it's a 2014 it should have the Arctic Cat single keel skis on it. Saves you some cash. Only "problem" I've heard is in regards to handling and the heavy steering, but this can easily be fixed by replacing the center shock spring with one from Bill Mohr. it did wonders on my sled and was 75$ USD. I would say it's a good deal especially with your trade value as well.

Other than that, no other issues to be worried about. You've owned sleds before so just do a check over of everything, fluids etc and make the deal happen!

 

[ateick]

Right now, I am looking at a 2014 DX model. 137 track. Are there any problem that I should be aware with this model? The dealer is asking under 6000$ canadien for it. It has 17000km. He is giving me 3500 in trade in value for my Phazer.

17,000km or 1,700km???? Your post states the former. If 17,000km is correct I would keep looking. For example I saw a 2014 Viper with factory installed turbo and less than 1000km for $10,000 CDN online in the last month or so. Keep hunting.

 

[shockwave]

It is 17000 km and not 1700.

I don't want a turbo. I used to have a 2009 Nytro in the past and I was happy whit de power available. That is enough for me.

You guys think that 17000 is too much? My 09 Phazer has less then that and that was one of the factor for me.

 

[ateick]

For me that would be way to much mileage at that price. You're relying on a lot of regular maintenance having happened on that one. Looking at Canadian sites you should be able to get into a newer model year at 1/3 - 1/4 the km's for only a thousand or two more.

Once you have one - skis, clutch kit, enjoy!

 

[yamaha4sea_fan24]

Looks like I cannot count my 0's today.. 17,000kms is a bit much IMHO. You can find a lower mileage machine for not much more $$$. Keep looking!!

 

[Allan]

Last year I picked up a xtx for $7300 ca with only 1100 km. so keep looking.

 

[cannondale27]

Yes too much unless its immaculate and dealer can prove he went through and replaced almost every moving part. I would guess my 15000mi Viper is only worth $3000 tops and I go through everything every season. Maybe with the big smooth trails you guys have up there its different and they dont take the beating one down here gets?

 

[Brian Henry]

I have a 16 viper, 137, 144 studs, Bill Mohr skid spring and clutch kit, free airbox mod, 4th wheel kit, 2.5 evo flash, SLP Header and Muffler, cat skis and a passenger seat. It has less than 2300 miles and its the ltx se. Blue and white in color and i also have a spare windshield. Id like to get 7300 obo.

 

[mp5]

Right now, I am looking at a 2014 DX model. 137 track. Are there any problem that I should be aware with this model? The dealer is asking under 6000$ canadien for it. It has 17000km. He is giving me 3500 in trade in value for my Phazer.

Man.....that's waaay too much for a '14 Viper (non turbo), w 17,000 kms imo! Used 16 Vipers here in NB on Kijiji are going for 7 grand...with 4 to 5,000 kms. Plus...Dealer is showing you $3500 for your 500 Phazer? (And I say showing you, not actually giving you Actual Cash Value of 3500). Here is my take....acv for a Phazer is 1500 to 2000 Cnd, which means they have $3500 to $4000 tied up into that Viper, and have it marked up to $6000. Either way you slice the deal, they probably took that Viper on trade for around $3000 Cnd or less, marked it up to $6000, and will wholesale your trade for 1500 to 2000. A dealer has to make money, and they can sell what they have for any price they want, but at the end of the day, $6000 Cnd for a 6 yr old Viper with 17,000 kms is a friggin rip off. You'd be lucky to be able to sell that Viper in a few yrs for anything more than 3000 I bet. Just my opinion, but I'd keep looking. There will be plenty of deals popping up shortly when the snow starts flying.

 

[SudburyApex]

In the Quebec market, a 6 year old sled will almost always have really high mileage, Ontario is a little better but you will pay for it. I think about your situation quite a bit as I recently purchased a 2014 Viper LTX DX with 13000km (~8000 miles) for $5700. It came with a brand new track, new trihub, and a new center shock. Once you decide on the model you need to think about reliability, cost of ownership, and resale. Without a doubt if you're not comfortable doing your own wrenching, it will be cheaper to own a newer machine. Keep in mind you will probably want a different sled in 3-4 years and will need to sell this Viper.
Based on Ontario/Quebec kijiji pricing.
When you go to sell it you will likely get ~3000. If you have to put about 1000 in parts (carbides, battery, springs, shock rebuilds etc), it will cost you about $4000 (3000 residual +1000 parts) to ride this viper for 4 years . A 2014 viper with lower mileage sells for around $7500, and it will likely need less in repairs, after 4 years may be worth 4500? So the total cost of owner ship is 3000 over the 4 years (actually ends up being cheaper). This math gets a little tighter when you consider you will only be paying the 15% PQ sales tax on the balance of your trade in for the high mileage Viper ( tax on $2500 vs a $7500 sled).

In the end, if your the type of owner that likes to tweak you sleds (trying different ski/carbides, clutch kits, ecu tuning, progressive springs, 4 wheel kits etc etc) non of this math matters... It will expensive lol.