wondering if while I'm shopping around I should be looking at the 2004.5 and newer

Thanks

 

I wondered the same thing after I bought mine. Search for 04.5 and you should get some hits. As I was told, there are changes, but a different model # may suggest a different color or something insignificant like that. If you get parts, make sure you have a model #. It all depends on what you can afford, really. Good luck.

 

They went with different tires, radial 6 ply tires - Badland. Also you have a digital fuel gauge on the pod with the 2004.5 vs the 2004. Might be some other changes but nothing too big.

 

Don,t think newer is better. I think 04.5 is when Polaris went from the locking front two hubs to the exploding locking single front diff with plastic cage, they introduced the troublesome ECM brain box that if fails leaves you stranded, they shrank the gas tank capacity once more (4.25 gal) and removed the finned aluminum alloy oil tank for a cheaper plastic smooth oil tank with No fins for air cooling assist.

Go with condition not year, I turned down a few 04-05 for a better condition 01(Last with the big 5.25 gal gas tank I think). The bugs where ironed out of the Sportsman a long time ago so Polaris had to invent some new ones. lol

 

tlc is correct on what they changed in that 1/2 year. i think the hub style fornt end would have been stronger to stay with. the only real good thing about the updated years is the better speedo and head lights. lol.

 

Polaris even screwed up the Speedo in 2000 from 1999. In 1999 the speedo had nothing to do with the operation of the AWD,if you rolled the ATV and broke the speedo it did not matter much and was up to you if you wanted to replac$e it or not.

Now if you break the Speedo ,your AWD is out of action until you repace the $300 plus unit. Sometimes it not a good idea to reinvent the wheel.

 

Just curious, I worked in a dealer for 5 years, and still work with polaris under contract from time to time. I also work atvs at home for extra cash. In all my years I have never ordered parts for a 1/2 year model. 2004 had the old style fenders and the 2005 models have the new style plastic and front storage. Now build date is critical for certain parts I know but the "built before or built after date" can range from any month of the year and generally dictates in model number or on the parts program with a certain date code. Am I missing something here? No, not being smart but just wondering if there is someting I have missed that may help me in the future.