I'm faced with a decision to get a kawasaki 03 prairie 650 4x4 or a new 09 kawasaki prairie 360 brand new.

The 03 has 277 hours on it with 1440 miles and seems to be running fine and is 2k cheaper than the brand new one.

So my question is what should I do? How long do ATVs last before they start requiring major repairs and would it ever be 2k worth to where it justifies buying a brand new one?

I'm mainly just using it on the ranch to ride around not going fast or getting into heavy mud or anything like that..

Thanks!

 

I have allways said if you can afford to buy new do it as there is not much if any advantage to buying used. In most parts of the country ATV's hold there value way to well. Of corse this all depends on what you are going to do with the quad and what paticular quad you are looking for. Sometimes you even come across those deals that are just to good to pass up but in most case's just buy new as it will save you allot of headaches in the long run! JMO and Good luck with wichever one you choose. Welcome to the forum! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

You can get a good deal sometimes on used but you do not usually know what you might be getting into. Many only buy used and are satisfied. Others will not touch used. I myself prefer to buy new as I know how it is taken care of. I do my own abusing, ripping etc. Some I have traded were in fine shape, others had a bug or 2.

 

I don't have a ton of money to spend, but I understand your point about I don't really know the condition.. It's an 03 with 277 hours and 1400 miles. Is that a lot? He said he's only used it for hunting at his deer lease It's already got gun racks and a spot light, a wench, and a hitch. So it's right off the bat decked out how I want it. It starts up fine though I don't know if that really tells me anything. Plus I don't have to pay taxes on it if I buy it.

But the new one will be a hassle free, just 2k more expensive.. Practically the same model.

This is tough for me

 

To help you out My 04 Polaris has 2500 miles so I would think that kinda mileage would be low. You need to look at it and take it for a ride even if it is just up the street go over some curbs or something to work the suspension if it is a 4x4 make sure it all works look at the tires, check the oil, verify the milage. In short use commmen sense and go from there if you are still questioning the bike take to you local bike shop and have them look it over (for a minor fee) and make your decision!

 

thanks a bunch. I'm going to give it a good look over and if I feel anything is a miss I'll probably just be safe and go new.

Thanks again.

 

Several people here ride 1,000 miles a year so 1,440 isn't a lot of miles.
It may be broke in or it may be <u>broken</u>.

 

with that low of miles, id buy the used prarie 650, lots of power n speed in that V-twin. if your lookn for speed n peppyness the 360 is disapointing. the 650's are a dependable line and for two grandless than a new 360 i dont think there is too much to loose. just look it over well and see if anythings wrong with it.

true, you dont always know what your getting, but $$$ amounts helps you decide quick. if it runs well, i dont think there could be $2000 in any sort of repairs.

 

If they were the same machine, I would go with a new one, but since you are comparing a 650 to a 360, I think I would take it to a dealer and have it checked out and if everything is OK, I would buy it. My brother has a 360 Prairie and while it is an OK bike, it has an air cooled somewhat underpowered engine while the 650 is a V Twin liquid cooled engine with a lot of power. When it was introduced it was rated as the top rated 4x4 ATV by several publications. The 360's have not been selling all that well in this part of the country and there are some good buys out there, but I would not buy something I was not going to be satisfied with just because it was cheaper. Also, if you don't like the 650 you can probably get your money back, but the 360's price will drop like a rock when you load it into your pickup. Just my opinion.

http://www.atvsource.com/manuf...03/prairie_650_4x4.htm

 

Thanks for all your suggestions. I went ahead and got the 650 and am very happy I did. It runs like a champ, and yes it's very fast. With all the add ons this guy put on it I think I got a great deal.