Need Help buying ATV

[Casco1]

I'm interested in buying an ATV. I've never owned one, I've ridden a few.

Use: Work around the house, wife will use for landscaping,

moving small trailers

My Kubota dealer just took one in trade today and is holding it until saturday AM.

2000 Polaris 500 Magnum with 500 miles, same engine as sportsman, according to the salesman it's in mint+ condition, it was adult owned and maintained. It has a 48" manual plow and Warn 2500 lb winch.

The only difference with the sportsman is Magnum has one piece rear axle instead of independent rear suspension.

Price is $3500.00

What do I look for? Wear?

What do I ask?


If anybody can shed some light on this I will really appreciate it.
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[rackoholic]

Sounds like a nice machine, maybe a little high priced. Look for obvious signs of wear, cracked prastic, make sure the suspension isn't tweeked (cracked paint or recently repainted). If the machine looks good,then it is probably taken care of. As for pricing, I recently bought an 06 Polaris Sportsmen 450, indepnedent rear suspension, auto shift, AWD. Out the door price $5300.00.

rackoholic

 

[gordon21]

My son in laws buddy just bought a 2000 325 or 350 magnum. I don't remember which one. I believe the 2000 model year was when they made a bunch of changes and the model number changed. He paid $2500 cash to a dealer and it came with a bunch of extra stuff.

I rode it for about 20 minutes on some trails out through the woods. My wife and I were together on it and we weigh about 350# combined. I was impressed. I took it up to 30MPH on an open section of road with both of us on it, but after that the road condition said no higher.

I have no other ATV riding to compare it to, but it sure seemed powerful for an engine that size. A 500 would be even better.

500 miles sounds like about 25-30 hours engine time. That seems pretty low for something 6 years old. Have the dealer check the belt. A six year old belt could be starting to crack from age. A belt like that could be $80 just for the belt itself. Also, 30 hours means the original tires should still be on it and have almost all the tread left. Compare those tires against some new tires. The price sounds a little high until you factor in a winch worth $350 and the plow. If it truly has only 30 hours and the belt and tires are OK, then the price seems OK. Make sure he throws in a full face helmet.

 

[johnk]

I have a Honda foreman 450. It has a great 1st gear if you are going do do a lot of heavy pulling or towing. It all depends what you want the machine for. Mine has been very dependable and I have around 1500 hard miles on it. You can also have FUN with them. Like tractors... Just don't tell the wife though.

Drive em and see what you like........If you like it buy it... Life is short.......

 

[CDsdad]

Don't know about Polaris. Heard about brake problems years ago on them, but I think they straightened them out.

I have a '95 model Honda 300 and Santa brought my little girl a Yamaha 125 last year. Honda has been bulletproof as far as maintenance and wear, on my 4th spark plug and second set of tires. Most hauling or pulling it has done was a 17' boat around the yard and moving some Katrina junk. Probably would be too small for heavy farm work. Yamaha is a toy but has been dependable except for the battery changed out after 4 months.

 

[Casco1]

Thanks for your opinions, I don't see overworking this toy as my arsenal also has an L series 37hp kubota with loader and backhoe for the heavy stuff. It's more for landscaping around the place.

 

[johnk]

It sure works great plowing snow if you're in a hurry. 340K video of the 450 foreman with my son plowing the driveway. Thats a lot of fun........

 

[kenmac]

I have had seval A.T.V.S with straight axle. I now have a polaris sportsman 400 independent suspension. The only thing I hate is that it isn't an 800 cc. I would never go back to a straight axle after owning independent. the ride is soooo much better.



If you would like to know more about the mag mod. go to fourms.atvconnection.com I'am sure someone there will or has had a mag.

 

[escavader]

I own two magnums[2000 and 2002] and a brand new 500 sportsman .If you are using it to work get the magnum it is lower geared than the sportsman and it is bullet proof.If its for riding then nothing rides better than the sportsman,and my friends have all different brands and we all agree on this .Jack up the rear,make sure there is no play in the shaft.If there is alittle in the hub the wheel is hooked to thets ok ,its a cheap fix,they are aluminum so they will give out before the splined shaft will,because a ploaris is positive traction all the time.[roads are hard on them]Make sure the front boots on the front end arent ripped,or the front hubs do not leak.look for oil leaks,its a good sign the atv has been drowned [dont ask how i know ]If you buy it ,change the engine oil and filter,the front and rear diff oil,the tranny oil and the oil in the front hubs.Its all easy but it takes time.Take off the belt gaurd and check it and blow out the clutchs.This is one tough machine if its in good shape you wont regret it.
ALAN

 

[tnau664]

{Use: Work around the house, wife will use for landscaping,

Price is $3500.00}

You can get a nice golf cart for that amount of money. My wife hated the ATV, but loves the cart. I added a receiver hitch for pulling a trailer.

Just a thought
Terry