WOW...
that was alot of info...[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
Thanks...

I am sort of leaning towards the Kodiak 400 2x4 or the Rancher 2x4

Since the rancher is only a 329cc
and the kodiak is a 401cc for basicly the same money only 300.00 more to go with the Kodiak....should I go with the higher cc since they are basicly the same.?
how much difference is 70cc going to make.?

I am glad to hear that the Rancher is a nice ride...

Also, what do you think about he ES on the ranchers..??
I have a price of 3899 for the 5 speed on the floor and 3999.00 for the ES shift...?

Do you have any opinions on the ES.??
If I go 4x4 I think the BRuin is about the only one I can afford...at 4599.00

MAN this is to much to think about......
I REALLY do appreciate all your help [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]
Deb

 

I think that the Rancher and Kodiak 400 are both good quads. Some people seem to like the ES function while some others have posted problems. Less is more to me. I try to stay away from belt drives and the ES models just because something MIGHT go wrong and I also like to be able to shift. I consider it less to worry about. A lot of people like belt drives and the ES function and that's great for them. The main thing that bothers me about the Bruin is that it is a new model and problems MIGHT arise. (I tend to like Honda utilities and Yamaha sport quads.) So I'm less likely to want a Yamaha utility although the Kodiak is decent. I THINK the Kodiak was simplified with the arrival of the Kodiak 450. It used to have a hi/low and now it doesn't. The retail for the Kodiak 400 4x4 also used to be $6199. and they dropped it to $5499. (I realize you were looking at a Kodiak 2x4) If you're going to drive in the snow then I'd try to get a 4x4. I had a couple 2x4's and they would go through snow with some shifting of weight and spinning. 4x4's are so much easier in the snow. (Especially in the slimy snow)
Maybe you should shop around more to see if anyone will go down more on the prices. Remember to ask for "OUT the Door" prices so they don't try to sneak any extra cost onto the paper work. They might try to quote you a price and then add tax, transfer, destination, set up, etc, etc....

 

OK, here I go again with that "other id"...LOL

I went and compared tonight....

this is the "best deal" I can find.....

the Honda rancher 2x4 350 (329cc) 5 speed...... 3800.00

a 2003 Kodiak 2x4 400 (401cc) auto .....on special due to being a 2003, and a 200 yamaha rebate....
for 3900.00
a pretty good deal.....

So now its up to "which one is better" not price...
the yamaha is liquid cooled, and auto,disj brakes, engine brakeing and bigger.....
the honda is air cooled, with drum brakes..

ARGH.... now what....
Deb [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I think it depends on which one you like better. Have you looked them both over good? Maybe you'd prefer an automatic? The disc brakes would be easier to work on. The 350 Rancher has a low first gear that might help with pulling a load. I'm not sure how low the auto is without the low gearing. Lower gearing might be helpful while pulling a load down a hill. I had compared the Kodiak 450 to the Foreman 450 when I was shopping around. I thought about the pros and cons of each atv and ended up with the Foreman. The next guy might have ended up with the Kodiak. It really comes down to which one you like better. The Kodiak seems like a good deal. I think that they could probably go down a little more on the Rancher. (maybe at least $100.) If you want $100. more off then go for $200. I've had a couple sales people offer to meet me half way. If you ask for $100., they might say $50. They might think the Rancher is special because of the new plastic but it also has a higher retail price than last year. You might want a color that the dealership doesn't have. That might be a pain.

Were both of the machines at the same dealership? If so, they might not want to go down as much on the Rancher so they can get rid of the 2003 Kodiak. Another thing to consider, if they are at 2 different dealerships you might like one service area over the other.

It never hurts to offer a lower price because the worst they can do is say no. I'd just be ready to buy before really trying to get them down more. Ready to say: "I'll take it". It kinda sounds like your leaning towards the Kodiak. Buy what you like both are known to be good quads. Good luck.

 

Both Quads are at the same dealership, so far this dealer has (without any jewing) beat all the others by $200 they are a bit farther away than our "local" dealer, but only about 30 min away..(we live in the BOONIES)..

I told him I was paying cash and would he budge on the Rancher... he said no way....

He said that he could go 200 lower on the Kodiak, since it was a 03..... and he knew that the 4x4 had a rebate of $200, but he didnt think that it applied to the 2x4.... he checked and came back with a price of $3975 Out the door, pretty good for a $4700 machine, Its red, Dont really like that, its ok... but Blue or green would be better.. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

the rancher is the plain shift, but I have a choice of colors...(i liked the yellow,)
and your right the plastic on the rancher, says "buy me".....it just looks more "sporty"...
they have designed it to be a little more inviting...
The kodiak is nice, but more boxy.....

I think they are both even in my mind... and basicly the same price...
the few things that stand out are the
Looks of the Honda are better....

But the Kodiak has...
Liquid cooled rather than just air
better shocks
70cc more engine..
Auto..(dont know if that is a plus or minus) ......
Speedometer and odometer
Disk brakes

I wonder if the Liquid cooled will make a big difference especialy since we are going to use it around the farm....?

Thanks for all the help, sometimes its nice to bounce ideas off other more experienced people,
and to see if they are just BSing me since I am not a "man"....lol
Deb

 

I don't think it really matters if the purchaser is a male or female. The sales person is more than willing to take advantage of a man as he/she would be with a woman. I've seen guys go into a dealership and agree to pay the retail price plus other cost. I think he might have had a poor credit rating so was willing to pay more just to get something. I had stuck around long enough to hear that he didn't get the loan. The salesman was very dissappointed. I think that the people that do the most homework get the better deals. I always go through a long process. Then when it's all said and done, I always feel like I could have done better. I like to go to different dealers just to get familiar with the different lies. I let them lie and just listen and learn. Then I gather all my info and go back to the dealers that lied the least for the best deal. You can even get different lies within one dealership from different sales people. (It's kinda like voting for politicians, you vote for the least corrupt one knowing they are all corrupt to a certain extent.)

The liquid cooling might be helpful. There are certain things that are nice about the Kodiak. Like you said: liquid cooling, discount price, disc brakes, speedo, and larger amount of cc's. The Kodiak also comes with 12" rims on the front and back. The Rancher has 10" on the back. There are more 12" tires to choose from when replacing the tires. But that depends on what you'd be looking for in a tire.
It's a shame you couldn't test drive them to see which one you like better. Is there any other dealerships with the 2003 Kodiaks? You could just tell another dealer the lower price to see if he'd like to beat it. They might. Just remember that they "BS" everyone. Even when they are telling the truth they lie a little bit.

The Kodiak does seem to be a step above the Rancher in options.

 

HAHAHAH..to funny.... so at least I am not a "price checking feak"...LOL

I made up a "spreadsheet" ad listed all the Pros-cons etc of all the ATV's and the different dealership prices... this dealer, has more of a attitude, not really bad, but full of himself...
but..he was the lowest...ugh..by several hundred..

I know he is lying, they all do.... but like you said I have talked to enough sales men, that I have been able to throw out the BS and stick with what *most of them agreed upon...lol

I called him told him to have it ready for SAT morn... I hope that I maade the right descision..
it is so much money to just throw away...

Maybe the next one will be a bigger, badder, 4x4, that plows the driveway and cleans the stalls by itself....<grin>
Thanks so much....
Keep warm..
Deb

 

Get the Kodiak, it has the best of everything.

Honda's are known for ultra reliability, but gives you far less for the money. Yamaha is just as good as honda for reputation.

REV

 

johnsontriple2002jfarm- Did you end up buying the kodiak? If so, how do you like it?

 

Went and bought the Kodiak Saturday...

So far so good, Havent ridden it much to tell if I made the right choice or not..lol

we have about 7 inches of snow... it went thru the ditch,etc, with all that snow with NO problem.. and its only a 2wheel drive...

the only complaint I have so far, and this may be just a "new" issue is that it sounds like the front plastic "vibrates", not bad, but enough that it drives me NUTS...

I dont know if that is typical, I mean its an ATV not a freaking car...hahah [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
I wish I knew if that was typical or not,

But so far so good, I cant wait untill its warm enough to actually ride longer than 20 min...
Deb