You have to take the sled X beat sled Y arguments/stories with a grain of salt. To many things come into play to really know what is going on. Things like tracks, studs, clutching, rider, trail/lake/field conditions, jetting/temps, suspension come into play to know if it was a fair comparison. I didn't even get into engine mods.
I have ridden my brother in laws 05' F7 ($8,100) quite a bit, awesome sled. I agree it is wicked fast but on the trails it feels a little tippy, great on jumps or ditch banging though. My brother's 98 xc440 would eat the F7 up on the trails, my 98 xc600 with slightly upgraded suspension (rear skid from 99 xc700sp) doesn't have a problem staying with the F7 or even put distance on it on trails. Lakes, ditches, straight line you can forget about it, that F7 owns pretty hard.
BTW, my brother inlaws F7 stickered at $8,100, I paid $950 for my 98 xc600 a couple years ago, and my bro just bought a nice low mile 98 xc 440 for $1,700. My point being, I seriously doubt my brother in law is having any more fun than my brother and I are and the performance vs. dollar amount isn't worth it for a brand new sled IMO.
Some of the prices my friends have paid for sleds this year.
99 XC700 4,800 miles but the sled is mint with all the options $1,700
99 XC600sp 1,300 miles sled is also mint looks brand new $2,400
98 XC440 1,800 miles Red Rocket race sled, great shape $1,700
We MUST organize a DSMStyle ride this winter.
Jim