Some people still love the two strokes,but beware that it can be running good one minute and not the next. Guess you can say that for a lot of older machines,but the 400 is a complicate engine,has a lot of parts and a two stroke you will always need to be stay on top of maintenance. Check around for a clean four stroke before you jump into the fire.

 

i am into that right now, guy payed through the nose for a 400 scrambler 4x4 and it was running when i got it. i went over it and here is what it needed: primmary clutch kit, crank bearing and seals, full gasket engine kit, bored over cylinder new piston new conecting rod, new front wheel bearings and seals and armature, rear bearings and seals, new drive belt, new starter, rebuilt the pull start too. im probably leaving something out but you get the point. it can snow ball out of control. and the wiring was kinda shody, so prepare yourself you'll probably be going in deep, but its a good way to learn and familiarize your self with it.

 

Well...I've had several and my experience has been different. Like anything else, if the machine has been abused you'll never know it until you tear it apart...unfortunately you can't do that upon inspection...but you can look for visual clues of abuse. For $550 I'd grab it in a heat-beat...but that's me. The thing is it's 22 y/o...given what they go through the mere fact that it "runs good" is a good sign. Of course it's going to need things...but they are relatively easy to work on and they tend to be pretty reliable.