Ask The Editors: Is This A Good Trade?
A couple of good mid-size rippers.
Thanks in advance.
Well, let’s start by looking at the cold hard numbers alone.
According to web, the low retail value of a 2005 Suzuki LT-Z400 these days is $1,705 with the average coming in around $2,000 for good condition. Yours looks to be in good shape with a couple of desirable mods so we’re going to say you’d hit that $2,000 market value fairly easily.
The Trail Blazer has a much wider value swing, based entirely upon the condition of the unit in question:
According to J.D. Power, the value of a 2002 Polaris Trail Blazer depends on its condition, with the following estimates:
Excellent: $3,380
Very Good: $2,085
Good: $1,540
Fair: $730
If the picture you included above is any indication, we’re going to say it’s at least in very good condition, meaning its retail list of $2,085 puts the monetary value at just about a perfect wash. Assuming its as mechanically sound as the exterior looks, it may even start to lean toward excellent shape.
This is one of those situations, though, where the value of machine she can operate will likely far exceed the numbers alone, even if in this case, it’s still looking like a decent swap for you financially.
The Trail Blazer is a very capable trail machine and, though perhaps not quite as bulletproof as the LTZ, can deliver many years of reliable performance with a bit of regular maintenance (think oil changes, battery charges, lubrication).
If it were us, we’d make the trade just to gain a happy riding partner out of the deal.
