im looking to get a new utility and have it narrowed down to these two quads Foreman es, and Rancher 4x4 es. I mostly trail ride, hill climb do a little bit of mudding and occasionally will use it for work i want something powerful nothing weak. i have a creak behind my house with tree roots sticking out of the ground, some a foot high so ground clearence is a must. price isnt much of an issue. If anyone has any info or opinions on these two let me know.

thanks

 

Look into the 2004 Honda Rancher AT 400cc. Great all around quad. You have 2 or 4 wheel drive at the push of a button, Electronic shifting, or Automatic shifting at the slide of a lever. Great quad. Will do anything you need. The new larger 396 cc engine is a power house. I believe it is the best all around unit. I just bought one and it is a marvel. I do not think it can be topped for all around use. Best of all worlds in one unit.

 

Neither of those hondas has great ground clearance. But you could try pulling those roots out with them.
I believe the rancher doesnt have traxlox, which means going to 2x4. If you like powersliding and horseing around, youll want to be in 2x4. In 4x4 they have the same differential in front, so they will have the same capiblities.
Naturally the foreman is a stonger running quad, and heavier, and is harder on gas.
If youre looking at the 2004 models, I think the rancher is much better looking than the foreman. If you go with the foreman, you might go used and save some money, the foremans are basicly identical, from 2002 to 2004.