I recently started looking to buy a Polaris Sportsman 500 and I found on one Craigslist. I understand that you have to be careful with people selling on Craigslist. Here is what the seller said:

2004 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO AWD - $3200

-"Adult ridden, well taken care of, easy riding Allegheny Trails, PA. 258 hours, 2853 miles. Comes with stock wheels and tires also. Front bumper with whinch, rear bumper, side rails with foot pegs for rear rider, rear saddle bag, mirror. Very clean, well maintained, never wrecked. This has always been treated with respect as I am over fifty. You will want to check this out. Priced right, owner moving. New battery."

Do you guys think this is a good price? If not, what year Sportsman 500 should I look for for about $3000?

 

Others will chime in on price answers, but I've always gone by the old saying: Don't believe any thing you hear and half what you see!! Just if able to, LOOK OVER really good,could be an elderly driver that takes care of his machine or one that doesn't! Hope its in the condition as advertised!. 258 total hours are pretty good for a 7 year old machine! Good luck OPT

 

Is that a lot of miles for a fourwheeler? Should I look for one with less?

 

Averaging about 400 miles a year! NOT bad! I've seen a lot more hrs and miles on machines than that! Just how was it treated during this time matters! OPT

 

Seems like that's a pretty good deal comparing it to what they are going for here in MN. Prices can vary quite a bit based on location so compare it with others in your area to get a better idea. As OPT said, 2800 miles isn't bad at all for a 7 year old machine, that's only 400 miles a year.

Don't worry too much about buying something off of Craigslist. Craigslist gets a bad rep because of the "cashiers check" scams, but as long as you are dealing with someone in person you are pretty safe. There's always the risk that you are getting a lemon, but that's a risk when you buy a used machine no matter where you buy it from, even a dealer. Everyone is going to tell you it's been taken good care of, even if it hasn't. Just make sure you check it over good for signs of abuse/damage.

 

nada book is about $2700. should be able to get it a little cheaper imo

 

I got really frustrated looking for a quad here in Mid-Michigan. EVERYTHING was at least $1000 more than KBB! Anything less than $3000 wasn't worth looking at. It seemed the year had little impact on the price. Good quads started at $3000 and went up and parts quads started at $3000 and went down!