Buy now or wait for 2012's?

[getfit74]

I've been looking at the 2011 Sportsman 850 XP EPS models at my local dealer for a few weeks now. He has a red one in stock now that I would get if I pull the trigger now.

Here's my dilemma , I'm considering waiting until the 2012's come out to see if there's going to be any major improvements. After reading over several posts on these forums, a few things have got me concerned, like oil in the air box and Polaris switching to different what seems to be weaker axles on the 2011 models from what everyone has been saying.

I've asked my dealer as he really doesn't know but thinks that nothing major will be changed on the 2012's but want know for sure until sometime in june.

Well right now the special financing 3.9% and $500 rebate expires may 31st. So do I wait and see what changes are going to be made for 2012, hopefully some will be made. Or get a 2011 now so I can get the 2011 for 3.9% and $500 rebate?

I would just hate to wait and then the 2012's be the same, then loose out on the $500 rebate, but I would also hate to get a 2011 and when the 2012's came out in a couple of months there were some major change, I kinda think they might come out with a 850 H.O. I could do without that would just like some of the issues people are having fixed.


I can get the 850 XP EPS for $8400 until next tuesday then the rebate goes off and it'll be $8900 Need some help here guys what do ya'll think. Anyone heard anything at all about any changes to the 2012's?

[blueline15]

Nobody will know anything on the 2012's (solid, legit news anyway) until late august when Polaris does their dealer release meeting. ANYTHING before that nation wide meeting is likely fictional, and just rumors. Everybody who has legit info before august (Polaris Corp employees and certain media will not say a word early because Polaris imposes some pretty steep fines if they share early. Even the dealerships do not know anything legit until the meeting.

I have spent years at a dealership, I have done Polaris sales. My experience says to

A) take everything you hear about the new year line up with a grain of salt until late august. It's likely just a rumor and false.

B) it's likely that Polaris will try new suppliers for parts that have been an issue in the past XP models. Doesn't mean it will be better, but at least have a chance it will be.

C) rebates and incentives will only get better and better and the 2012's get closer. The interest may change a little, that depends on the finance companies they use. It will likely stay below 5% though through summer. Polaris won't take away the rebates, they never have in summer. Obvious, the 2011 rebates will be best in September and later, but I am pretty confident you won't lose it.

If you can wait, I would. Realize, there will be zero rebates on the 2012's when they come out. The only risk you really run is all the dealers running out of 2011's to sell, forcing you to buy a 2012 that is the same still as a 2011, just without rebates. And once the 2011 are gone, they are gone. They have moved production to 2012's by now.

Hope that helps. That is what I would tell you if I was your sales guy and you walked into my shop with these questions.

[getfit74]

Originally Posted by blueline15

Nobody will know anything on the 2012's (solid, legit news anyway) until late august when Polaris does their dealer release meeting. ANYTHING before that nation wide meeting is likely fictional, and just rumors. Everybody who has legit info before august (Polaris Corp employees and certain media will not say a word early because Polaris imposes some pretty steep fines if they share early. Even the dealerships do not know anything legit until the meeting.

I have spent years at a dealership, I have done Polaris sales. My experience says to

A) take everything you hear about the new year line up with a grain of salt until late august. It's likely just a rumor and false.

B) it's likely that Polaris will try new suppliers for parts that have been an issue in the past XP models. Doesn't mean it will be better, but at least have a chance it will be.

C) rebates and incentives will only get better and better and the 2012's get closer. The interest may change a little, that depends on the finance companies they use. It will likely stay below 5% though through summer. Polaris won't take away the rebates, they never have in summer. Obvious, the 2011 rebates will be best in September and later, but I am pretty confident you won't lose it.

If you can wait, I would. Realize, there will be zero rebates on the 2012's when they come out. The only risk you really run is all the dealers running out of 2011's to sell, forcing you to buy a 2012 that is the same still as a 2011, just without rebates. And once the 2011 are gone, they are gone. They have moved production to 2012's by now.

Hope that helps. That is what I would tell you if I was your sales guy and you walked into my shop with these questions.

Thanks for the input, that's pretty much what my dealer told me, if I don't mind waiting a couple of months do that and see if anything changes and if it doesn't more than likely the rebates will increase for the 2011's and if mothing changes on the 2012's I can get a sweet deal on a 2011.


On a side note called the closest Can Am dealer today just to get the prices on them and boy they sure are proud of those.
2011 Can Am Outlander 800 XT Camo $10949
2011 Can Am Outlander 800 XT Red $10549

I would really love to have one of these but just can't seem to justify the cost, $2000 more than the Polaris XP 850, but trying to make a fair comparison the XT models do come with a 3000# winch and front and rear bumpers. Even by adding a warn 3000# winch and front/rear ATV Guru bumpers to a Sportsman the Outlander is still $1000 more.

I really like the Outlanders but just can't see them being that much better than the Sportsmans. The two biggest things I would like are the lighter weight and what seems to be a better set up on the CVT intake/exhaust.

[Thomasj]

Im not sure how much less they are, but dont count out the 650 outlander XT. It will beat a popo 850 so its got plenty of power.

If you just a trail rider who likes lots of power to have fun go with the Can am.

If you ride difficult trails, rocks, logs, mud, go with the Popo. The Can am locker is downright worthless on the rocks.

They both ride well and are at the top of the list as far as comfort go with a slight edge to the XP. The Can ams are very snappy and almost like two stroke with a CVT. The popo is more of a smooth delivery with taller gearing. Ive ridden them both and the cam am is the clear winner for fun factor. The popo is the clear winner if your trails are difficult and rocky climbs. There is NO WAY a can am can hang with the Popo on the rocks or difficult trails.

[Fishy]

Originally Posted by getfit74

I can get the 850 XP EPS for $8400 until next tuesday then the rebate goes off and it'll be $8900 Need some help here guys what do ya'll think. Anyone heard anything at all about any changes to the 2012's?

I would wait and see what the 2012 offerings are, I believe the dealer meeting is in June every year.

[getfit74]

Originally Posted by Fishy

I would wait and see what the 2012 offerings are, I believe the dealer meeting is in June every year.

Yeah I talked to my local dealer this week and he said the dealer meeting is next month. I've waited this long, so I've just decided to wait and see if any changes are going to be made. Also thanks for the feedback guys really appreciate it.

[191185]

Buy now. The summer will be half over when the 2012's come out .. just remember, after 2012 will be the 2013's . .. . .It never ends . Buy what suites your needs and ride it for 5 years and start all over

[getfit74]

Yeah I couldn't wait, my girlfriend got a 2011 Sportsman 550 XP, I was set on a 850XP. Decided to go see the Can Ams, after riding one I decided to go with it, got a great deal on a 2011 Outlander 800R XT Camo. Hope I made the right choice.

We've rode a few times so far, we've switched up a few times. I really like them both. I really like the head light set up on the polaris better than Can Am. I've had no probelm with the new Visco-loc QE, but I do prefer the Polaris AWD. For just pure fun I love the Can Am though it's a rocket. So for the only thing that I really don't like about it is the heat, this thing puts out some major heat really makes longer rides less enjoyable, but going to wrap the exhaust so that should help.