Spitfire Prices

General topics related to John Deere Snowmobiles
User avatar
69camaro
Posts: 1427
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Duane Gjerseth
Location: Augusta, Wisconsin (Eau Claire area)

Spitfire Prices

Post by 69camaro »

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.
75-340/s
76-340 Liquifire
77-440 Liquifire Custom
78-440 Liquifire
84-Liquifire
84-Sportfire
84-Sprintfire
84-Snowfire
78-Polaris TXL
82-Indy 500
91-XC 400
91-Indy 500 Special
94-Indy 440 Special
95-XCR 440 Special
96-XCR 440 Special
99-XC 600
04-XC 700
81-Kawasaki 440 Invader
ChickenRat
Posts: 1237
Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:00 am
Location: Hudson, WI

Spitfire Prices

Post by ChickenRat »

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
Last edited by ChickenRat on Fri Mar 20, 2009 5:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
69camaro
Posts: 1427
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Duane Gjerseth
Location: Augusta, Wisconsin (Eau Claire area)

Spitfire Prices

Post by 69camaro »

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.
75-340/s
76-340 Liquifire
77-440 Liquifire Custom
78-440 Liquifire
84-Liquifire
84-Sportfire
84-Sprintfire
84-Snowfire
78-Polaris TXL
82-Indy 500
91-XC 400
91-Indy 500 Special
94-Indy 440 Special
95-XCR 440 Special
96-XCR 440 Special
99-XC 600
04-XC 700
81-Kawasaki 440 Invader
User avatar
guitardude081
Posts: 989
Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Jack Durand
Location: Brainerd, MN

Spitfire Prices

Post by guitardude081 »

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
Owner, Durand Motorsports
1980 Trailfire 340 (Grandpa bought new)
1983 Trailfire LX
1982 Spitfire (Grandpa bought new)
(3)1974 295/S
1975 340/S
(2) 1978 Liquifire
2003 Ski Doo Renegade 600HO
1993 Polaris XLT Special with AAEN pipes
2020 Polaris Indy 600 XC 129 40th Anniversary Edition
1980 Liquifire (currently in pieces)
mikehjd
Posts: 209
Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2008 12:00 am
Location: Melfort, Saskatchewan, Canada

Spitfire Prices

Post by mikehjd »

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
Posts: 105
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 12:00 am
Location: Milford PA 18337

Spitfire Prices

Post by JD340S »

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
Posts: 1172
Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2007 1:00 am
Real Name: Bob Amber
Location: Churubusco Indiana

Spitfire Prices

Post by DeereKid9 »

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.
Always remember-Any parts leftover is money in your pocket.
1976 Liquidator - I 500 raced by Jim Zimmer
1980 Spitfire
1982 Liquifire-Last sled my son helped me work on. He did most of the motor work.
1984 Trailfire
2007 Ski Doo GSX 500SS
JD340S
Posts: 105
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 12:00 am
Location: Milford PA 18337

Spitfire Prices

Post by JD340S »

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
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5620
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Spitfire Prices

Post by 400brian »

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 ??? :liar:

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
User avatar
WinnipegStPaul9
Posts: 5577
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Don Amber
Location: Churubusco, IN

Spitfire Prices

Post by WinnipegStPaul9 »

Deerekid9, we'd better get those two of yours washed up and on Ebay I guess. Dad
Feel free to check out our website www.buscobullet.com for restorations or parts.
Cyclone 30
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2009 12:00 am
Location: Oshaukuta, Wisconsin

Spitfire Prices

Post by Cyclone 30 »

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
User avatar
WinnipegStPaul9
Posts: 5577
Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: Don Amber
Location: Churubusco, IN

Spitfire Prices

Post by WinnipegStPaul9 »

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
Feel free to check out our website www.buscobullet.com for restorations or parts.
traildeere
Posts: 122
Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2007 12:00 am
Location: NE Wisconsin - Shawano

Spitfire Prices

Post by traildeere »

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

Attachments:
Liquifire 4/6
Posts: 1035
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:00 am
Location: Roblin, MB

Spitfire Prices

Post by Liquifire 4/6 »

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.
Last edited by Liquifire 4/6 on Tue Mar 24, 2009 2:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Peter from Roblin, Manitoba
User avatar
Sprailfire340
Posts: 925
Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 12:00 am
Location: Rockford, MN

Spitfire Prices

Post by Sprailfire340 »

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.
:sled: ME
Post Reply