What is the best way to get into an ATV? I come from an area where money is tight, yet everyone has ATV's! I have been hodling out for a long time, as young father of 3 with a wife, my money evaporates long before I can imagine getting into an ATV. I look at the dang prices ranging from $5k - $6500 at the ones I want and cannot figure how so many here, have them? Sorry if this sounds ignorant, but what is the best way to get into a new one and not break the bank? Thanks!

 

Find out how much you can afford a month and then find a good interest rated loan. I would suggest not using the manufacturers loans as they tend to get quite a few people in a financial bind. Then find the machine that will fit your budget. New may not be the way to go for you. You can find some great deals on machines that have been used that are still in great running order and shape.

If you give us an idea of how much you are looking to spend and what kind of riding you are looking to do. We might find a machine that isnt what you were originally looking at but might actually be a better fit for what you are hoping to accomplish.

Good luck on getting into the sport . And Welcome to the forums!

 

Thanks, Sidewinder! I am looking at a utility ATV, preferably the Kodiak 400 or 450. The idea of buying a used one a couple of years old is very acceptable. I live in a small northern Utah town with excellent mountain trails. I need a 4x4...too many times I kow I would need it.

More dumb questions...but I have not done much with misc loans as this might be. I would like to get buy on paying perhaps $30-40/month (if possible) and put down $1000. Would I just call a bunch of loaner organizations and ask them for their rates and go from there? Thanks in advance!

 

If money is an issue, you can't beat the Honda Rancher. Rugged, reliable, and nearly indestructible. Big enough, but not a hulking huge monster, either. It is only a 350, but I find mine to be very capable. It's not the fastest out on the flats, but if I want to go fast, I have sport bikes for that.

If you can get by with a 2wd, it is $1,000 cheaper than the 4X4.

http://powersports.honda.com/atvs/ut...elId=TRX350FM5

 

If money is tight. The last thing a family needs is another payment.

Do you have any items you could trade for a quad? Maybe you could get a good deal on something else and then trade it for a quad.

One example- I had bought a boat cheap. I cleaned it up and changed a impeller in the outboard. Traded the boat for a quad. I used the quad for a while and then sold it for twice as much as I had in the original boat.

Use your imagination.

 

May I make a small suggestion... join a riding club in the area... you probably will come across someone in the club who has just upgraded their mount, and might be willing to float an interest free loan to you just to get it out of their garage... probably get it at give away prices too... I am not sure about UTAH, but where I have lived, and that is pretty much all over the US and Europe, I think people in general are willing to lend a hand when an opportunity presents themself. Give it a shot, you never know....

 

I don't incourage the use of credit cards.. but... If you are eligible you can get interest free credit cards that will last a year.. by the time the time is up.. you can normally find a 2nd interest free credit card to transfer it to.... I did this with 10k in student loans.. and I have it payed off interest free.. But.. be careful with credit cards they can lead to the dark side...

 

The few question no one has asked is:

Do you have a savings built up for emergencies?

Do you have a retirement plan you contribute to?

Are your kids college educations being funded?


If you answer no to any of these I think that purchasing a ATV would NOT be the best decision. Don't be like 70% of the population with no savings or retirement and maxed out on credit and payments. Save up, buy it in a year or two - think of your family first (and yourself). Its no fun being toy rich and money poor.

There is nothing wrong with resisting the urge to have toys - it sucks in the short term...but 30 years from now when you retire at 55 instead of 75 you'll thank yourself.

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