Ok I finally got enough money for a used 400ex. I have around 2700. I can always get a loan from my dad if i need another couple hundred dollars. Heres the thing, my dad doesnt want me to buy used. He thinks its like buying other peoples problems. Theres a 2000 400ex with a superstrapp pipe for 2800 obo. We have not checked it out or anything(have not seen it) but my dad doesnt want me to buy it or any others. He's like "Well they have probably ridden very hard and are wore out." every bike that i find for sale he says that. We have an old house to sell and when we sell it we can afford a new 400ex. What should i do? Buy a used one with some aftermarket parts or waste money on a brand new stock 400ex? What can i tell my dad about buying used? Thanks!!

 

I remember my dad and his advise when I first started buying years ago. Similar to the same thing you are gettting.

I have found that because of the generation gap and buying experiences of those years ago, that you can't change their ways no matter what you do or say.

I would lay it down like this. If he want's you to buy new, make him pay the difference. Not a loan. But PAY the difference. If he doesn't do this, then you have room to work with buying what you want. I know it seems cruel, but if HE's the one wanting new, then HE should pay up or shutup..............and yes, I am a father.

Regarding 400EXs in general, a used one with performance parts that hasn't been raced every weekend since it was new can be a great deal. With minor problems, a 400EX is not expensive to repair if something does go wrong after you buy one.

New 400EXs can be bought well under $5000 in some parts of the country, but if you are planning to spend more than a grand in performance, then I would go used. Just my opinion.

 

If I could, I would always buy new...but of course that cost money wich seems like the one thing I never have[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif[/img]But, I don't have anything against buying used...everything I own is used mechanical wise...Just check the quad over really really good...I know some buddies that have rode their quads to hell and back..then when they went to sell it...they just did junk work,,,anything to gets the parts on and to make it look good and run right....duck tape, superglue..you name it they had it on their...and they ended up selling it for way more then it was worth..I meen, it was good for him but the new owner when some parts fall off and stuff in a few weeks might not be to happy...Just remember,,people are out to make money and they will do it however they can...granted there are some great used quads that people don't ride hard or hardly ever ride...they just want to get rid of it................but like I said..just check everything over on it real good and ride it to make sure its running good....and if your dad will fork up another 3 grand then get a new one![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]

 

Not all after market add-ons are created equally. Someone could have messed up the jetting or something. You may not find the problems for a while and then they would be your problems. You could end up paying a lot extra fixing the problems.

On the other hand, sometimes you can find a quad with after market parts that has been treated good.

I have seen some beat 400ex's. Your father seems to want to look out for your best interest. A new quad also comes with a warranty. Although, if you don't have the extra money to buy new then you'll have to buy used. It's a matter of finding a good quad at a good price.

Does your father always buy new cars? Just curious.

 

If cash and lots of depreciation are not an issue then purchase new, but if money is tight or you dont want to see your new machine lose 25-50% of its value the day you take it home and prefer to let some other owner take that loss then used is a good way to go.

The biggest thing about buying used (anything not just quads) is being able to know how to tell the good ones from the bad ones. There are so many little things that can hidden that you need to be able to honestly be able to fully evaluate what your buying. Too many people get into trouble with used stuff because they can not tell a totally trashed one from a normal useage one if only the plastics have been changed.

One good thing about the EX like mentioned earlier is that most repairs or parts are not expensive and there are some serious deals on used parts at ebay since the newer 450's have been out and so many people are parting out their 400ex.

I know from my experiences buying both new and used that after a few months not only is your new machine "well used" but you dont have all the mods that could have come with the used one and didnt cost you anything. Its actually the same with cars and I often wonder if I am the only person who would rather buy a higher end used car than some less expensive POS new.

Ever think what the difference is if last year you bought a used 3-5 yr old BMW or Benz for around 28k or a new hyundai or honda for the same money? Well besides the new one being worth around 20K tops and the used one about what you paid for it you are still driving a used car either way. So now the question seems to be that in a year would you rather be driving a used hyundai or mercedes?

Dont take that wrong cause i have had many new cars and though a lot easier to purchase than a used one (pretty much just write a damn check sign some papers and your done) that whole "new car" thing only lasts so long.

Plus since this is a toy or hobby etc and you wont be relying on it to get to work or school you will have time to work out all the "bugs" and get the mods straightend out without worry.