Spitfire Prices

69camaro · Post by **69camaro** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 5:23 pm

Are these 3/4 sized sleds coming out of Michigan actually made in the USA or are they some more of that imported Chinese crap that made its way into the ATV market? I read the article and it didn't notice any mention of it being an American product.

ChickenRat · Post by **ChickenRat** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 5:42 pm

Duane,

This supplies "some" answers:

http://www.snowmobile.com/news/update-on-enforcer-snowmobiles-897.html

However, I'm sure the parts are made in China or elsewhere and assembled in Michigan. A prime example are the Evinrude E-TEC outboards. A majority of the engine and components are made in China and then shipped here so they can say "Made in the USA" (Sturtevant, WI actually)even though they are only assembled here. They have to meet BRP's manufacturing standards and are high quality outboards. I have two and couldn't be happier with them. Unfortunately, outsourcing is happening much more than we would ever like but don't have much of a choice. It's the way to keep prices down. If my $8700 115hp E-TEC cost me $16,000 instead I probably wouldn't have bought it.

Robb

69camaro · Post by **69camaro** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 6:02 pm

Thanks for the info Robb

I won't go any further with my thoughts except Spitfires are great little sleds that were mostly made in the USA.

Post by **guitardude081** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 7:38 pm

From what I read in snowgoer, these are not the Scarab sleds that we may see come from China in a few years. They will probably feature an A-One motor or something similar and Sanyco belt drive which are made in Taiwan. The Taiwan stuff is actually really good stuff. I'm working on getting a line of ATVs and UTVs that are simply Yamaha knockoffs without the tipping hazard and they come with about $1000 worth of add-ons and will accept all Yamaha accessories. The Taiwan stuff is often as good or better than the "US made" stuff. A lot of the important components on powersports vehicles are either being made in China or will be soon. Honda is shutting down it's Merriville, OH plant and China production has a lot to do with it. If it were going to Taiwan or Japan I'd be happy, but stuff that comes from China can be down right scary. I'd expect to see the Enforcers feature good shocks such as FOX or RydeFX, and an engine from a well known manufacturer (If it were a Fuji that would be awsome) a few years into production if they sell a lot of these units. I like what they're trying to do because we have 3/4 sized ATVs, dirt bikes and even motorcycles available, but we haven't seen a 3/4 sized sled since the Indy Lites of the early to mid 90's.
~Jack

mikehjd · Post by **mikehjd** » Sat Mar 21, 2009 12:22 am

A friend has been buying those chinese ATV's off of ebay here in Canada and reselling them. They are cheaply built but if you look after them and don't abuse them they seem to last. A few guys have bought them and drove the heck out of them and they don't last. A decent spitfire around here seems to be worth around $750 that is good running condition and good apperance.

JD340S · Post by **JD340S** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 8:21 am

This one is about 15mi away from me. I kinda think there is buddy bidding going on. I'm kinda curious about it now. I'm going to call the guy & check it out & see if it really that nice. I'll report back. AWZ

DeereKid9 · Post by **DeereKid9** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 9:05 am

I know that one of the Spits on E-bay right now with a starting price of $500 was just purchased at White Star snowmobile auction for like 525 or 550. So an attempt at a quick turn.

JD340S · Post by **JD340S** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:03 pm

Well guys I have seen the Spit. Overall in pretty nice original condition. Starts & seems to run well. Seat will need a recover. Usual scratches here & there. It is not an awesome "mint" original by any means but is a pretty nice original. Guy says he saw one on Ebay last year go for $3200. I don't recall when that was & I'm sure nobody on the page does either but my guess is his reserve is around $1800. I guess we'll see what happens. AWZ

400brian · Post by **400brian** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 6:53 pm

I remember a PAIR of Spits, on a Deere trailer bringing over $3000 a year and a half ago.

Police Dept owned, nice shape. Campbell was hot after them, but they went a bit high for his taste.

One Spit over 3K ???

Post by **WinnipegStPaul9** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 9:14 pm

Deerekid9, we'd better get those two of yours washed up and on Ebay I guess. Dad

Cyclone 30 · Post by **Cyclone 30** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 9:36 pm

John Deere Spitfire(s) - $850 (Jefferson)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: sale-3kgcy-1080839879@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
Date: 2009-03-18, 2:17PM CDT

2- 1980 John Deere Spitfires . Both good runners, cosmetically good. Asking $850/ best offer. Must sell/ no room to store. Call Vince @ 920-988-1950

Location: Jefferson

Post by **WinnipegStPaul9** » Mon Mar 23, 2009 8:48 am

On VSCA today is what looks like a pretty nice 78 Spit for $400.00. That seems realistic to me and will be a good buy for someone. DA

traildeere · Post by **traildeere** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 1:34 pm

All I know is I couldn't sell this one for $300...
Did I miss something?
Wrong place wrong time?

Attachments:

80SPT.jpg (277.95 KB)

Liquifire 4/6 · Post by **Liquifire 4/6** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 2:20 pm

traildeere wrote:All I know is I couldn't sell this one for $300...
Did I miss something?
Wrong place wrong time?

Gee, if you were 500 miles closer, I sure woulda given you the three hundred bucks for it. Sure does look like a clean unit.

I noticed an XC120 in the background. My niece had one just like it a few years ago, but she found the performance a tad dismal after the first season. So uncle Pete hot rodded it for her. I left the engine bone stock, but ditched the centrifugal clutch and installed a Comet Torque-a-Verter into it. A bit of work, but well worth it. The XC120 had ample space to install a jackshaft, so I made one out of 5/8 chrome moly shaft. Flipped the track drive shaft end for end and ran the chain drive on the RH side. Used the drum of the original clutch as a brake drum and mounted it on the RH end of the jackshaft just outboard of the jackshaft sprocket. The thing really scooted along. Did about 28 mph top end and had way more take off power to boot. Also, there was none of that jingle jangle noise that the centrifugal clutch likes to make. Wish I had taken some pics before she traded it for an Indy 340.

Sprailfire340 · Post by **Sprailfire340** » Tue Mar 24, 2009 2:48 pm

traildeere Mar 24 2009, 12:34 PM
All I know is I couldn't sell this one for $300...
Did I miss something?
Wrong place wrong time?

Wrong place, wrong time for sure...it should have followed "Cris" home.