I need to buy my wife (she's only only 5'4" tall) a beginner ATV that she can grow into. Any recommendations? I was thinking a good used one in the $3000 range (2004-2005?)

some thoughts are: 300CC range, automatic, light weight.

Any suggestions on a model?

Seems like all the automatic ones are the utility ATV's?

 

automatic and independant suspension

 

any particular model you recommend?

 

If you don't need 4wd, a used Honda 250EX is a great choice. It isn't full automatic, but it is autoclutch which makes shifting super simple. It is based on the Recon utility (also a great choice if you need racks and fenders for mud protection), so it will go anywhere a 2wd utility will....but better seeing it is 50 pounds lighter!

If you want a full-on sport quad, the new Raptor 250 is perfect, but probably out of your price range.

 

You have a limited amount of choices if you stay fully automatic. You could pick up a polaris 250 or 330 for under 3000. Semi automatic you have tons of choices.

 

You should easily find a used Rancher in your price range, if you need a 4X4. Again, it is autoclutch, not full auto.

 

well a polaris pheonix would be perfect, 200 or 250cc i believe fully auto. or a 250cc trailblazer better suspension and faster of course fully automatic.

 

A/C has a decent 250 - believe it's made by Kymco - same bike as the Polaris Phoenix. Full auto with a high/low range. It's about a 7/8ths size quad, probably about 400 pounds. New they run about $3,800.

Other good "wife bike" would be the A/C 366 - lighter than most in that class, full auto and IRS plus 4wd, but it's a brand new model for this year so there are no used ones available. It goes for a little over $5K.

Jaybee

 

Just bought my wife an arctic cat 250 utility, 3290.00 brand new, automatic, isn't a racing machine but its plenty fun.. Shelikes it.

 

a used Polaris Hawkeye will be in that price range and it is auto and IRS! Wifey has one and loves it!