Voo: You have a good point. However, with older Ace engines, the engine needs very little attention regardless of how many miles.
If most of the folks on here are like me, then they want a nice tight suspension system. They want the steering to be responsive, with shocks that work. Regardless on which engine.
I was looking, now I am in two minds.
I was considering a XS Renegade with 6,000 or more miles. Figured it would have the original skis and had never had the Mainway or Rip and Grip up-grade. I was figuring $3,500 for skis, carbides and the Mainway / Grip n Rip "package". Possibly another $500 for a "new to me track". Add ~$500 for Linq rings, helmet plugs, possibly a belt, LED headlights, some bogy wheel bearings and service for a clutch set. And the sled would be easily good for another 10,000+ miles. If I added a serious front bumper, service the shocks, toss in a full belly pan, then $500 more.
Or essentially $5,000 over the cost of the sled.
But the risk of an other warm winter has caused me to pause. And the desire to ride a Gen 4 over a XS is tempting.
If I could find a Rev Gen 4 for close to $4,000, then I would be all in for between $8,000 and $9,000. Mileage would not be an issue if the sled had stayed "shiny side up" and had not been friendly with a tree or a rock. That is around the point I've now been thinking. But. This last winter was a total bust. I have three sleds. XS 120" MXZ 600 Ace, XS 120" MXZ 900 Ace and a XU WT Skandic 600 Ace. Generally take friends riding, not family. The plan was to trade up the Skandic for a Renegade 900 Ace Gen 4. We shall see.