I was talking to our local stihl dealer the other day and he said that because of the lack of computer chips he has MS 362 saws on his shelf that have carburators. My son is 18 and thinking about buying his first saw I think this is a good opportunity to grab a new saw in a proven design. It's listed at 870 dollars.
I have a carb. version 362 , nothing wrong with it. Runs and cuts just fine. Not sure what the going rate is in today's world.
I have a ms362c with the mtronic carb and I like it. Both versions are well proven designs, I've never had any issues with mine, it is my go to saw.
The ms 362 is a good saw and just doing a muffler mod helps weather you do your own or buy a pre made cover. A small timing bump also helps, personally I’d buy a ms 400 for about 100$ more if available just because it’s based on the 362 but is larger saw with more power and basically the same weight. The need of the 400 over a 362 would be what bar he plans on using all the time. 25” bar I’d for sure buy a 400 to use with it because the extra power would help.
I have a 400, it's a very impressive saw right out of the box! I've never ran a 362, but I hear lots of good stuff about em.
+1 If you want to leave the saw stock, I would go with the 400. If you are going to modify the saw, a 362 can be made into a respectable runner.
All saws have carbs (not the 500i) only the Mtonic ones have computer chips that control it. 362 would be a great first saw as its a professional model. Should give many years, even a lifetime of quality performance if maintained well. I have a carbed 361 (the precursor to the 362) and its a great saw. Ive gone the Mtronic route (i now own five) as im not good at adjusting carbs. My first Stihl was an 028 given to me by my late uncle in 1985 when i was 17. Sadly the saw was somehow raw gassed and ruined. I bought a used 028 in 2020 in memory of my late uncle. I run it now and then. EDIT: after reading the above comments id go the MS400 route as well. More pricey and almost identical to a 362 but with more power. I have the 400 but not stock. (bought used that way) Muffler mod and foam air filter to boost power. 20" bar great for general cutting and maybe a 25" bar later for bigger wood.
I stopped by a dealer here two weeks ago, Whites Farm Supply, they had the carbureted version w/20" b&c in stock for $820 plus tax. Runnings has a M-Tronic's versions w/18" b&c $810, 20" b&c $880 and w/25" b&c for $890 plus tax. I'm probably gonna grab the carbureted version w/20" b&c once plow season starts. I got my son a Jonsered CS2258 (red & black Husky 555) when he was 17. He loves it for the most part. NYH1.
