Dolmar 7300/7900 purchase advice

[WIslxer]

Hey folks! Looking to purchase my 2nd Dolmar saw. Have a PS5105 that I bought new and have really liked it. This winter I'll be cutting/bucking around 15-20 cords of oak and want to pick something up that will make that go a little quicker (my excuse to buy a 2nd larger pro saw). I've found two 7900s for sale locally and one 7300. Had a couple questions but first....

The links:
http://eauclaire.craigslist.org/tls/5263634296.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/grd/5266727485.html
http://madison.craigslist.org/grd/5266721248.html

First off, how do those prices sound? Secondly, which of those 7900s is newer and lastly which of all three seems the best deal/which one would you purchase? And obviously if none of them seem like solid deals let me know that as well. BTW 7900 #1 said he would sell for $600. They are all a couple hours of drive time away from me so I may have to decide which I want without getting to test all three. The last two appear to be for sale from the same seller who I have not spoken to and who is also more than 3 hours from me. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[mesupra]

I would go with a new 6400 from fordf150 for that price over a used 7900 for under 600 if he still has any left.

 

[stihlaficionado]

I would go with a new 6400 from fordf150 for that price over a used 7900 for under 600 if he still has any left.

All gone I believe at the bargain basement prices

 

[WIslxer]

I would go with a new 6400 from fordf150 for that price over a used 7900 for under 600 if he still has any left.

A new saw sounds good but having a 50cc saw as my 'small' saw and a 64cc saw as my 'big' saw just doesn't make tons of sense to me. I could change my mind on that though. Plus 4.7hp at 14.1 lbs vs 6.3/5.7 hp at 13.7 lbs just doesn't bode well for the 6400. My mind isn't made up though.

 

[CoreyB]

A 6400 is a 7300 7900 just different p&c
You can get a new p&c but 7900 or 85cc and put in on in under an hour and less then $200 more. Well worth it.

 

[c5rulz]

I had a Dolkita 6401 when they were under $500 from Bailey's. Kind of big and heavy for 64cc, good anti vibe and great torque though. I picked up a mint 7900 for $450, strong saw for it's weight. This had the original chain and stickers still on the bar.

You can see the stickers near the power head.

Can barely see Dolmar in the paint.

 

[fordf150]

6400 has its plus. cheaper initial purchase price and the ability to upgrade later on and still not break the bank. 6400 is heavier with less power but a simple(with patience and a torch) muffler mod and the 6400 weighs less than the 7910 plus horsepower goes up a bit. 7910 cylinder kit is a bolt on and around $200 for OEM cylinder kit

 

[fordf150]

http://eauclaire.craigslist.org/tls/5263634296.html Too close to new price for my taste
http://madison.craigslist.org/grd/5266727485.html if you have the ability to verify condition of the P&C along with everything else on the saw this one would probably be an ok deal especially if you can talk them down another $50-75
http://madison.craigslist.org/grd/5266721248.html again too close to a new 7910 price for me

 

[zwoehr]

Is the 3 hour drive one way or round trip? How much is your time worth?

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

 

[Swamp Yankee]

To the OP,

If interested I can get you contact info to a local dealer that has NOS Dolmar PS7900s in stock. He's not a site sponsor so PM me if interested. As of last week I know he had some stock as I saw them on display in his shop. IIRC price was $750 plus shipping.

Take Care

 

[wde_1978]

The Dolmar PS-6400 is way underrated and underappreciated!

I used mine today over my PS-7900 most afternoon, it is an amazing saw.
And yes, the PS-7900 is even more amazing!
But there is no percieveable cutting difference with a 20" bar & chain setup.
My PS-7900 wears a chain with rakers down .40 - .50" just to even make sense using it in "thinner" wood.
This of course makes the chain highly aggressive.

The Dolmar PS-6400 handles a 20" marvelously.
The Dolmar PS-7900 is overkill for the same setup, she just asks for a longer bar & chain to let the ponies go wild!

 

[WIslxer]

Thanks for the replies folks but bah!!! One of you guys went out and bought that cheaper 7900!! Didn't you?!?! I knew I shouldn't have posted links, damnit! I actually found a brand new Makita 6420 closer to me for $550 and may consider that one.

 

[WIslxer]

Both sold! I gave those guys selling those saws the best exposure they'd ever have gotten, damnit. Alright you guys at least better tell me what you paid for em?

 

[zwoehr]

I think at those prices I would buy new or wait for something closer. I just bought a 6400 with a 7910 piston and cylinder for around $750 shipped. It only takes an hour or so to make a 6400 into a 7900. Twice as long if you want to remove the catalyst from the muffler.

Contact @fordf150 for a good deal on a new Dolmar delivered to you. If you add up your time and gas to drive a long distance you might be money ahead.