a little back story first. I have 4 polaris quads for our family to ride, but i am a big advocate for not sharing vehicles...if the vehicle gets damaged who pays for said damage? it just saves hard feelings and broken quads. So...I have 2 boys and their friends come over and have nothing to ride normally. so they ride double, etc.
So what I am thinking is buy a 5th quad to be the "public" quad. I am focussed on name brand models, somehting in the 300+ size category...not huge, want it to be manageable for rookie riders and fit easier between trees. I have a chance to buy a 2017 tao tao rhino 250 for $700...maybe $650 with some bargaining...I have some experience with 2 chinese kids quads..one that was a tank, not sure of brand, some quality issues but it always ran. the second was a coolster and when it died it DIED...never ran again. not sure why but sold it for the value of the new tires.

Anyways, would it be worth the chance on the Tao Tao? I have heard of them but not sure if they are a "better" chinese brand or if just to hold out for the right name brand quad?

thoughts?
the money side is nto a huge issue. I was/am prepared to pay in the 200-300 range ...just saw this "deal" and thought i'd ask opinions.

 

I own a Rhino and an 11 year old ata250d, it's predecessor with the same engine. The engines are bulletproof, a Honda CG clone. The rest of it is so-so but it's simple and easy to repair, and parts are easy and cheap to get. Main reason I would go with a Taotao over other Chinese brands is parts and technical information availability.

Mine get a lot of use and abuse and have never had any engine related problems. I have cracked the rear swing arm and rear rack support which were easily welded. Rubber covers on the lower ball joints cracked, front wheel bearing came apart, clutch cable broke, front shock went bad, in the 285 hours I've put on the Rhino so far. Neither one of them has ever left me stranded.

 

They may be fine but you could probably buy an older Honda Recon for around $1000. They can take a ton of abuse and just keep going. As long as you don't try to use them for a submarine or run them wide open for hours at a time, they will run for years and years.