hello, i am interested in buying my first sport quad soon and don`t want to make a haste decision, this looking like a more knowledgeable forum i figured i would come here for advice.

i have to buy from a dealership for i need the financing assistance unfortunately.

right now i am looking at a older quad it is a 2002 suzuki quadsport 400z i am very impressed with its upkeep it looks as if it has been just sitting in a garage for the majority of its life.

they are telling me they can do 4k out the door maybe less, obviously i will try to get it for as low as possible but i don`t know what to shoot for am i being bent over right now is that way more then its werth? i don`t know i am a first time buyer.

i really wanted a semi automatic but manual is ok, i would be happy with a 400 i could deal with a 350 price is most important right now, brand is irrelevant reliability is priority any suggestions is there a better deal a better way to go?


thank you for any input.-Dave

 

As I recall, 03 was the first year for the Z (???), and the early models had problems with weak upper shock mounts....so be sure you check that out!

They are fine machines. Great handling, well made, and that engine is very durable with just basic maintenance. My only complaint was that mine alway jumped nose low, no matter what I did.

Real sport quads have manual clutches!!!

 

hmmm that kinda worries me that they said 02...


in your opinion can i do better price wise?

 

I'm pretty sure there is 02 you just don't hear many people talking about them. For an 02 z400 I think 4k is a lot more then what its worth. I plan on buying an 07 in a couple of months that is priced at 3,400. Thats 5 years later and $600 less. Keep looking for a better deal. Stick with the z400, see what else you can find.

 

he called me back its an 04, that makes me feel better.


i am going to try and look around as much as i can but i hope i can find better money wise.

and it scares me to buy used cause i`m not experienced with quads and don`t no wat to look out for.

 

Personally I never buy used. I would rather start out with a lesser performing NEW machine (like the very economical Raptor 250), than a higher end used one and end up ultimately dumping tons of money in it to make up for the previous owner's neglect.

Most owners negect chain lube, the air filter, oil/filter changes (and they use crappy cheapo oil), and almost nobody keeps up on valve adjustments! These are all things you can't see when you are buying a used machine!

 

Plenty of z400's out at dealers.One thing I would'nt do is buy the display model that sits outside or a demo.You could get a good deal on a 03-08 since the 09 is redesigned.Or if you got the coin you can get the new 09.

 

I laugh when people say they would not buy used.

Everone on this site owns and rides a ATV they like,and guess what ? there all considered used. If everyone here sold there ATV today there would be hundreds of happy second hand buyers.

ATV are not a complicated Machine,look at it ,ride it, if you like it, buy it. Worked for me, never bought new and never bought a bad one yet (3 so far). The money I saved by buying used could buy a new ATV by now .

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: TLC

I laugh when people say they would not buy used.



Everone on this site owns and rides a ATV they like,and guess what ? there all considered used. If everyone here sold there ATV today there would be hundreds of happy second hand buyers.



ATV are not a complicated Machine,look at it ,ride it, if you like it, buy it. Worked for me, never bought new and never bought a bad one yet (3 so far). The money I saved by buying used could buy a new ATV by now .</end quote></div>

Nobody's second hand crap for me!!!! The fact that these machines can survive so much neglect, says something about the quality of the machines, but it also says something about the quality of the owners!

 

I don,t buy the neglected machines and it impossabile to hide the fact its neglected. Too many mint condition ATVs out there to bother even looking at the rough ones.

As soon as you get a new ATV home from the dealership it lost over $1000.

A girl I know won a New 660 Grizzly in a Draw and never even rode it once and she sold it for $2000 less than what they sold them for at the dealers.