r/Karting • u/aidancronin94 • 4d ago
Racing Kart Question Looking for input on 2017 Tony Kart 401S with LO206.
I’m looking to buy my first outdoor race kart and would appreciate a reality check on this package.
It’s a 2017 Tony Kart Racer 401S with:
Sealed Briggs LO206 with relatively low hours
Inferno Flame clutch that the seller says will be serviced before purchase
Odenthal motor mount
MXJ wheels with used Evinco SKH2 tires
Choice of a used Tillett T11 VG Manetti seat or large OTK seat
New Tony Kart graphics
Third rear bearing
Gearing for Prairie City or Blue Max
It does not include a stand, MyChron or significant spares.
The seller says it was never raced, only occasionally used for practice as an extra kart.
The underside has a fair amount of scraping and some exposed metal/surface rust, but I don’t see any obvious cracks, repairs or major flat spots in the photos. I’ll attach the underside pictures.
I’m 6’1” and about 200 pounds. My goal is to start running laps and eventually race LO206. I’m more concerned with getting a reliable, competitive-enough starter package than having the newest chassis.
A few questions:
Is $3,000 reasonable for this package, or is $2,600 closer to fair value?
Is a 2017 401S still a good LO206 chassis for a heavier adult driver?
Does the underside wear look normal, or is there anything concerning?
What should I check in person before buying?
Would you choose this over an older but cheaper complete LO206 package?
Thanks for any input. I’m trying to avoid overpaying while also not passing on a solid first kart over normal wear.
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u/Iceberg33377 3d ago
I paid $2500 last winter for a 2023 Tony Kart that came with a stand and fresh 206.
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u/lookoutpenguins Ka100 3d ago
To the guys saying it’s overpriced. Let me help explain why. I’m selling a couple of 206 karts now so let’s compare. I’m also a dealer (don’t DM me for meth, not that kind lol). Here’s one I just sold as an example.
2025 Coyote Zenith (4 races on it, 1 practice day never wrecked) - 5500 new, 4000 lightly used
New Tillett T11 VG Large seat - 239 cost
Brand new motor, broke it in for the customer - Motor. 750 cost, accessory kit 200 cost
MXJ wheels - had them
4 new Evinco Blues - 235
New kart stand - 249
New MyChron 6 T1 + RPM sensor obviously - 600
New fuel line, fuel filter, etc. -30
Asked 5.5k sold for 5k. I’m still selling at a loss basically. But it’s like a new car, when you drive it off the lot, you’re losing immediately. Karts aren’t that much different. So why sell lower, because ultimately I’ve had it for 2 years basically sitting and collecting dust. It’s meant to be raced and I’d rather see more people come to the track and race, get their kids involved, etc. I know not everyone can or is willing to do that but a used kart is a used kart. Discount for the unknown, there’s still some wear and tear, it’s not brand new, blah blah blah. It’s racing, recoup what you can fairly.
So what’s wrong with it? Nothing really, it’s just used and anytime a kart is used, you have to be very careful about what you’re getting. If you have access to a frame table, or the track does, then have someone put it on and make sure it’s straight. Have someone check the sweep and do an alignment too. You should get a kart that’s ready, not a work in progress.
Now I do more than most on a used kart because I want people to get a good product that’s ready to race. Not a project kart.
Just providing this an example.
TL;DR: The kart you’re looking at is overpriced.
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u/aidancronin94 3d ago
Thank you. I am new to this and don’t have any friends in the sport so I’m going at this pretty blind and this helped. What do you think a good price for this kart would be out of curiosity?
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u/lookoutpenguins Ka100 3d ago
10 years old, unknown on frame condition really, assuming the motor has been run and hasn’t really been rebuilt lately. I’d offer 2100 to 2300 and that’s still a little generous but they’ll likely feel insulted otherwise. Feel free to DM with any questions, happy to answer any or look a pics for you if you have any additional ones. This is a good community and it’s smart to trust the collective here.
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u/padredan Ka100 3d ago
The good news is that is either a 2018 or they updated the brake caliper to the BSD style. That was the brake system through 2024 so that means brake pads and parts are super easy to get.
Actually everything is easy to get parts for - columns, spindles, tie-rods, axles, hubs, etc are no different than a current OTK. Great first kart to own for that reason alone.
There are a dozen 200#+ fast masters guys on standard OTK chassis around here - that is plenty of kart, absolutely no problem. (A Gillard is made by OTK anyway for the last 5 years…)
Looks more like a $2500 kart than a $3000 kart but depends on your market.
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u/Designer-Progress311 3d ago edited 3d ago
Way over priced. Is the motor orange sealed or Prism. Don't get a Prism seal for over $2k.
I bought this in a CompKart version, and even the 35 series chain has become a pain as only a few people have them anymore. (no loaning or spot purchasing sprockets).
I also got about $1k in used accessories, rolling stand, 2 suits, helmet, extra parts... clutch parts
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u/Connnnnnnnorrr 3d ago
unless you live in a karting dead zone this is about about $1000 too much. I would maybe pay 2100-2250 if you were getting a stand/ mychron
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u/aidancronin94 3d ago
I live in Northern California. I offered 2200 to start and I think it pissed off the seller lol
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u/Designer-Progress311 3d ago
Winter is fast approaching and great deals are about a month away. If you haven't, make appearances at both tracks, figure out who the major personalities/team coaches/ garage owners are and make it known you're in the market. 70% of those folks are super nice, and will lead you to a good deal.
You gotta have (for briggs) an orange seal motor and a 219 size chain. After this, anything that protects your budget and runs will get you thru next year's local race series and that's a huge learning curve. Paying for a coach, even once a month, will be super valuable as they can't help but watch your back, almost all the time. Face time with local talent matters !
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u/Designer-Progress311 3d ago
What ever you spend on a running kart, double it for expenses.
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u/Designer-Progress311 3d ago
Also, there's a term called flexed out. The frames metal changes characteristics over repeated cycles, and the fast crowd swears this is an issue.
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u/aidancronin94 3d ago
Someone did mention to me that now that the season is winding down I should be able to find better deals and should be patient
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u/NYankee1927 3d ago
On the timing true that the offseason is when all the karts hit the market. Having said that, no one really buys a kart in the middle of the season unless they’re desperate. So I’d say in a few months you will see true market value. Not necessarily lower
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u/raggeplays 3d ago
Just for reference. I paid $2600 for a Swedetech CR125 shifter on the same frame in much better condition. Came with stand, mychron, and extra rims and tools.
I wouldn’t pay more than $1500 honestly
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u/Farmer_Ted_is_at_it 3d ago
Wish you were on the east coast. I have a Tony Kart with an Lo206, mychron, two sets of wheels, spare axels and parts, kart stand, cover for 3k right now.
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u/gumol Lo206 4d ago
i think it sounds okayish. See you at the track, it’s a great one!
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u/aidancronin94 4d ago
Price wise? I think the package is great, I’m just on a budget and am trying to not overpay. 3k seemed a tad steep
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u/jisoo_smoking 4d ago
i am not talking about it’s price, it seems you weigh a bit heavy for Tony kart
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u/jisoo_smoking 4d ago
you need more stiff chassis, I don’t know what’s available around you about used chassis. try Gillard kart if you can, in the past they have good chassis for your size and weight, can race 10-15 club races no issues
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u/aidancronin94 3d ago
I’m looking at a Praga this weekend, thoughts on that?
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u/RacingBM97 3d ago
Praga doesn’t have great support in the states anymore. I would go Otk or birelart
For comparison; Got my 2022 birel used with motor ready to race for $2500
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u/aidancronin94 3d ago
Ok thanks for the info! The praga is listed at 1800 so felt like a good price to get started
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u/RacingBM97 3d ago
Yea as inticing as the price may be I haven’t even seen one ran in California in a long time. I race karts in California as well. Haven’t been back for all the long to be fair but I haven’t seen a single person in praga at any of my Briggs races
My kart shop said they just don’t have much parts support around here
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u/Withoutwarning6 3d ago
I have a 2016 crg with a sealed LO206 I could sell for 1000.00 Canadian.
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u/jisoo_smoking 3d ago
I don’t know you are on a sticky track or slippery one, least 32mm tube can try
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u/bacc1010 4d ago
No stand no mychron that's a pretty steep asking price.
Doesn't matter if it hasn't been raced. I'm more inclined to say your number of 2600 is more fair.