Good information guys, good review HO, everyone obviously has their own opinions as I've heard opinions to the contrary, sounds like they're both great machines with their own pros and cons. From what I've seen, when comparing MSRP's it looks as though they're similar considering what you get. However, up in my neck of the woods (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) the big difference price wise is how much the dealer will come off the msrp, and the difference is HUGE. Most Can-am dealers here are arrogant and it's like pulling teeth to get $500 off the MSRP, and then they charge the rediculous set-up/prep fee that gets it back, in my opinion they lose a ton of sales because of it. Polaris dealers in areas here however will knock upwards of a couple thousand off msrp, I can easily get an XP for $2000 - $2500 cheaper here. JMO but a winch and brush guards aren't worth $2000 - $2500, definately a no brainer for me. I beleive the $1200 option for PS on the XP you're referring to aslo includes the upgraded automotive paint, chrome/aluminum wheels, etc. You also have to add the cost of mandatory skids/frame mod for the Outty.

I'm first and foremost a BRP guy as I own 2 Ski-Doo snowmobiles, Can-Am has made some nice improvements, have driven them and have seriously considered them but there's still a few things I don't get. To mention a few... the 3 year warranty for one... you pay for it up front, as well as every time you take it in (flat fee), with no guarantee that things will be covered. I beleive there's another name for it... "extended warranty available at extra cost". Also, cannot understand for the life of me why a manufacturer puts out a frame so weak that it needs to be strenghtened by the buyer by cutting into it and doing a frame mod?? Shouldn't the manufacturer be the one doing that? Can you imagine having to do that with the next truck you buy? I also like to take my kid for slow rides on hot summer days in my shorts and sandles, the heat the Outty apparently puts out will not only melt your seat, but bubble your bare skin, no heat at all on my Grizzly. My 800 Sportsman has the same heat issue as the Outty, but on the other side, the XP chassis apparently has resolved the issue.

Ski-Doo comes out with a chassis re-design about every 5 years, If I were a betting man I'd wager that Can-Am will be coming out a design change very soon, including a new frame. Until then I'd buy the XP before the Outty.

 

I haven't looked lately. Last year I looked at both when I got my XP.

2008 Outlander XT red, no 3 year warranty.......$9,000+ tax, etc, etc.

2009 XP 850 non EPS Polaris 3500 winch, free 2 year warranty.......$8995 OTD

I paid $200 for my bumpers.

With the Outlander I would have spent the first cash I had on skids (~$500)

If the Outty would have been a 2009, it would have been $10K.

They were roughly the same price, but the Outty was a model year old and the XP was just released.

I would be happy with either one, but still glad I got a cutting edge (newest technology) ATV for the same price.

 

The XP 850 still has some heat, but nowhere near what my brute had. I don't have first hand knowledge with the heat on the Outty.

 

Yep everyone has their opinions,and I'm sure you have heard many to the contrary,I have as well...but everything I posted was honest my opinion...that may or may not change as I put more time on the Can-Am.

Yes...in your case then obviously the XP would be the better buy for sure if you can get one for 2000 off but the Can-Am is MSRP...like you said no brainer as to which is more economical. And that maybe the case with the $1200...I haven't looked too hard at them honestly. That makes sense as last year the difference was only like $700 for PS IIRC...but no matter to me..my 09 non-EPS came with the paint an aluminum wheels and MSPR'd for $100 less than the 2010 non-EPS...So the 2010 non-eps MSRP'S for $100 more than the 2009 did right?...yet you don't get paint or aluminum wheels like you did in '09? Am I understanding that right?


My 3 year warranty was free...maybe it is a US thing but from what I have heard BRP gives the 3 year warranty more often than not,although they consider it a option they pretty muich continuously run special incentives throwing the warranty in free. First 6mos is no-deductible,after that $50.

As for the frame I will not be doing the frame mod...IMO that is what insurance is for. But I do agree that it is kind of ridiculous that you have to put skids at a min. on an ATV in order to have some peace of mind that the frame won't get damaged. In my mind skids are for protecting components,engine,tranny ect and rider(floor boards)..not the frame....well on the Can-Am it is all about protecting the blasted frame spar. So they put 1/2 a skid on the 2010's? LOL...WTH?
I paid $240 for the Ricochet skids and now I feel ALOT better about riding pretty much over what ever I want. WELL worth the money for the Can-Am guys. From what I have seen/read the frame bending either comes from unprotected frames getting dented and weakened or a crash or a combo of both. You see very few running skids that get bent. Yes it does happen,but again it is almost always some type of crash,but even so it is more rare than non-skidded machines....so skids are a must IMO..frame mod isn't really,but it definitely will strengthen the frame if you are one of those likely to nail a tree or something hard. S
Yep...I mentioned the heat as well...IMO it is no where near as bad as an 08 800 Polaris...yes it has more heat than an XP for sure...I said that. But I have ridden it in shorts(which I don't normally do) at slow speeds and no blisters, wasn't it even painfull..I felt the heat,but it wasn't even distracting to me....maybe I have tough skin? lol. Who rides with heat so bad it blisters your legs?? Not me lol. Sounds like an exaggeration,that or someone is holding their legs as close to the engine as possible while riding. As large and wide as the floorboards are it isnt hard to spread you feet a bit and the heat problem is solved.

For me the Can-Am was the right choice I wouldn't trade it for $2000 and a 2010 850 XP Touring...and that is a FACT. I might change my tune if I start having issues with it...but so far so good..Both are great machines,just the Max suits my needswants more.

 

Remind me what that cutting edge tech was? Oh that is right the same tech you complained about because it requires 14" wheels..lol...j/k...Seriously though...null and void with power steering.
The biggest thing I miss is how amazingly smooth that 850 motor is...MAN that bad boy is like silk! Ok.well that and not worrying about the frame...oh and being able to say I have a Polaris..lol...my family might dis-own me now.

 

When shopping previously for Can-Ams on both sides of the border, Canadian dealers would give you $250 off if you didn't want to take the extended warranty, the same as with the US dealers. The difference was that if I bought a US machine, the warranty would be void in Canada anyway, therefore the dealers down there would automatically take off $250. Some dealers would take it off anyway and add it later if you wanted it, depending on how they wanted to market them. Bottome line, the extended warranty cost the dealer $250, not overly expensive but still an extra cost, plus $50 everytime you take it in (past the 6 month manufacturer warranty).

Looks as though only the EPS versions of the 2010 XP are the ones that come with the upgraded paint, wheels, etc. Also looks as though the 2010 non-EPS 850 msrp is 200 bucks LESS than the 09 non-EPS 850, and your not getting the paint and aluminum wheels, and they all went up in price $300. So about a $500 difference in all, $1200 minus $500 = $700... the difference from last year. Make sense? I know I'm getting confused. lol

 

Yep you are right..did the 09 MSRP change during the year?..I could have sworn it was $8699 when I bought mine in late 08. If not I got a better deal on it that I thought lol. So the non-EPS is $200 less without the paint and wheels and the EPS is $300 more than a like 2009 EPS. So that accounts for $900 of price difference in a EPS and a Non,the other $300 must be inflation. Last year you could get idential machines,paint and alum wheels,one EPS and the other not for $700 difference. This year the paint,wheels and EPS cost you $1200. So yes they all apparently when up $300...which I think is exaclty what the Can-Am prices increased(Can't compare 09 XTs since they had no PS)

Who is confused now? lol

 

The suspension, the steering, the engine, ummmmm, the entire machine.. lol

I complained about the lack of wheels, not the size so much. With those wide offset wheels, it is very hard on alot of components. People think they have ball joint problems now, just wait till those wide wheels start showing their problems. Before your little sway bar mod, I was so angry about that, I darn near brought it back and bought an Outlander. No joke. Now a year later, there is still nothing to speak of for the problem.

The 3 year warranty is not free. Well, lets just say you can buy it cheaper without it. Probably well worth the money though. I haven't read of any complaints about their warranty.

Myself, I wouldn't worry about the things that only some CanAm owners have (like the frame). Although it is very weak and could create problems, I doubt I would have any problems with it.

 

Yes the improvements were leaps and bounds for Polaris....
I am aware of being able to get a better deal for not taking incentives...but with the deal I got I can't fathom that I paid for the warranty. If I did there is a hell of alot more mark up on these things than most would dream of. My dealer has always given me the option on Polaris incentives..he never mentioned it on the Can-Am. Even so,$250 for an extra 2.5 years...I would have chose the warranty.

 

Hey I live in Red Deer, small world heh. I know just what you are talking about. The Can-am dealers do have attitude. I tryed making a deal on one, tryed getting the GST (5 percent) off and got no response. So I went across the street and bought a XP! If I remember it was 12,700 out the door for a non power steering machine (09 XT Can am) I paid 10,700 out the door for my XP EPS and another 180 for bumpers. My machine also came with a Polaris 3500 lbs winch with synthetic rope.
There is also a ton of Can'ams up here, its like belly buttons........everyone has one.............. No offense Can am people lol. I've only seen a few XP's on the trail up here, lots of people come over to see my machine, kinda makes you feel good about your purchase