OK guys I need some help. I was all set on buying the Rancher AT over the 350 ES but I went to a dealer today and looked at a leftover '04 Foreman ES and am now confused on what to buy. I am mostly going to be using the ATV for hunting, small chores around the house and plowing snow in the winter (Wisconsin) and trail riding. Which one should I buy??? I can get a '05 Rancher AT for $5380 OTD and the leftover '04 Foreman is $5569 OTD. Do these sound like good prices? I'm basically torn between if I want more low end torque power in the Foreman, or do I want the convenience of an automatic in the AT? Will these ride the same on trails? Please help!

 

Or should I kick the extra $ for the '05 Foreman ES? Will the '05's ride better or just a facelife with a little more power?

 

If i were you, i would get the foremen. Better work horse. The at is a good easy trail rider. The foremen is no worse a trail riding, it just way better at working. foremen all the way!

 

I agree,
I ride a 05 Rancher at and love it, I just trail ride but for what you want to do the foreman is a no brainer, the AT has no low range.

 

The 05 Foreman is a WHOLE NEW MACHINE, from the 04! Engine, chassis, bodywork, etc. Being a new bike, it has been reviewed a bunch of times in the magazines and here at ATV Con., and all the reviews are pretty favorable. I like it over the AT because of the time tested manual transmission. It is a step up in size and weight, however.

 

buckslayer,

I bought my 04 Foreman in February this year for the EXACT same reasons you stated. Based on my discussions here and with various dealers, I went with the 04 Foreman. I paid the same amount you are listing. I also considered the 05 Foreman, but by the dealers advice, the 05 wouldn't have much benefits given my needs. By the way, the dealer had to order an 04 Foreman for me and had plenty of 05 Foremans on the floor. The Rancher was not recommended.