Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forums and new to ATVing so please be gentle on me. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] I am looking at buying a 4x4 utility ATV. After looking at all the brands, the financing those companies offer, the options on the ATV's, etc. I've narrowed my choices down to a new '04 Suzuki Eiger 400 Auto. 4x4 or a used '02 Yamaha Grizzly 660 Auto. 4x4. The new Suzuki explains itself, it's new. The Yamaha has a lot of scratches but the plastic is not cracked and the metal is not damaged. It has 1700 miles on it with almost brand new tires. I like the thought of having a new ATV but I also like the idea of having a bigger ATV with better options. Money is an issue, I'm looking to keep it around $5,000 or less, which the Suzuki is $5200 and the Yamaha is $4900. I will be doing trail riding, playing in light mud and lots of snow, plowing snow, and just typical yard work around the house. After talking with a salesperson, he thought the Grizzly would be my better option because of the power and a better ride because of the IRS. I am not brand specific which is why I've explored all my options. Of the two, which one would I be happier with? BTW, I looked at a used (same condition as the aforementioned Grizzly) '03 Prairie 660 Auto. 4x4 with more miles then the Grizzly that was $4800 with a year left on the manufacturer's warranty. Is that one I should consider as well?

Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide.

 

You should be able to find a new Eiger below $5000. Out the Door.

There has been a problem with boiling gas with the Grizz. I would just make sure it's in good condition without any problems. The Prairie 650 may also be alright if in good condition. It's hard to say which to buy without actually seeing them.

I like to buy new so I'm not buying someone elses problems. I would buy a used quad if it was a good deal and in good shape. If you buy a new Eiger you'd have a 6 month warranty. (unless you extend it) The Prairie has a year warranty. I'm not sure how good a warranty is after the first 6 months are done. (when extended)

I guess it comes down to which quad is the best deal. Between the Grizz and Prairie, I'd lean towards the Prairie. (if the miles aren't too high) If the used quads are a little rough then I'd either keep looking or buy something new.

Have you considered the Bruin or Rancher 350?

 

One more thought, where will you be riding it? Sometimes a big quad is simply too big. I bought a 450 because it fits where I ride. One neighbor bought a Prairie 650 and he doesn't like it because it's too big for where he rides. (Kinda the same place I ride) You might need a smaller quad and then again you might need a larger quad. It depends on where you'll be riding.

 

Boiling gas in the Grizzley? I don't need that type of problem. Granted, nothing may happen but I don't want to worry about it. The Prairie 660 I looked at didn't have quite as many scratches but it did show some wear and tear, nothing that I think is out of the ordinary. My only concern would be the miles.

I only looked at the Bruin on Yamaha's website and it looks like a nice quad but I'm a little leary about buying a new model. I didn't look at the Rancher because I've been told that Honda 4x4's are full-time four-wheel drive which I don't want.

I'll be riding it in a variety of environments: woods, hills, wide open areas. Places where both large and small ATV's would have their advantages but disadvantages as well. So I guess it's a toss-up on the size to get. I should mention that I'm 6'2", 260lbs. I don't think I'd be happy with anything smaller then a 400. I was comfortable on the Eiger 400. Now that I think about it, the Suzuki dealer I talked too had a '02 Eiger 4x4 Auto. with 410 miles on it and already set up to be street legal. The quad looked brand new. They want $4500 for it. Kelley Blue Book says that quad is worth $3895. If I offered them $4000 for it, do you think that would be a good price? Sorry if I sound clueless on all this, but I am.

 

Do you want a quad that is street legal? You would probably have to buy new mud tires from the start. That would be an extra few hundred. I wouldn't pay more than the retail value for it. The 2002 is 2 years old now.

I priced a new 2004 Eiger at $4900.00 out the door before I bought my Foreman. (Without even trying) I would shop around more to get the best price. If you were at the dealership asking about different quads then you weren't getting the best price for any of them. They will give you a general price because they are assuming that you aren't that serious. (yet) Once you've decided the exact quad you want new or used. Then you can get the best price for that quad.

The Rancher 350, Foreman 400 & Rubi are fulltime 4x4's. The Warn 424 kit can be added to shift out of 4 wheel drive.
The Foreman 450 (2002 or newer), Rancher AT 400 and Rincon are selectable 4x4's.

 

Humm, if when it comes to play time you want to hot dog it a little you may not be satisfied with a smaller (400 class) machine. I know a couple of people (220 – 230 lb range) that started with a 300 and a 400. The one with the 300 sold that and moved up to a Prairie 650 and loves it, and the one with the 400 is somewhat disappointed in it’s lackluster performance (after riding around with a group of riders with 650s, 660s and 700s).

If you do a lot of slow riding you will like the 650 Prairie better than the Grizzly because of the smoothness of the twin cylinder engine (also the Grizzly gas boiling issue only comes into play when it’s ridden slow for an extended period of time). If you like to push it really fast you will probably like the Prairie 650 better there too. However the Grizzly can be ridden fast too (doesn’t accelerate as fast as a Prairie and doesn’t handle as crisply as the Prairie does, but the Grizzly does have a noticeably smoother ride). I personally would avoid buying a used machine unless I knew its history and had no reservations about it. As for plowing snow, the Grizzly will do that fine as will the Prairie (driving the Grizzly slow in winter, i.e. when pushing snow, is not as much of a problem as when its warm when it comes to the gas boiling issue). Even the 400 class machines (4x4 capable) will do fine at plowing snow, but the machines with the bigger engines are more fun when it comes to playtime.

Another important issue is how well the machine “fits” you. Try each one (taking a ride on them if you can) and see how they “feel” to you…

 

Thanks for all the information. I have a tough choice to make. I just want to make sure I get the right quad. It sounds like I should be considering a new quad vs. a used one. I'll keep on looking. Any other suggestions on brands, model, etc. would be appreciated.

Thanks again.

 

Just thought I would chime in with my .02

I had a chance to ride an eiger and was very impressed, it has good power and handled very nice. I am a big guy also 6'2'' 330#.

The fact is there are a bunch of nice choices out right now but I think the eiger has to be one of the best when it comes to "bang for your buck"

by the way where abouts are you in SD, I'm in Vermillion

 

Mobyguzzer,

I'm in Sioux Falls. I rode the used Eiger at the Suzuki dealer here in Sioux Falls and I agree, I thought it had good power, but then again I wasn't pushing or pulling anything. Once you hit the gas, you went without any hesitation. It rode nice and I felt comfortable on it. I just want to make sure I'm exploring all my options before making a final decision. Thanks for your input. BTW, it's Saturday night and storming like h#ll. We've had 5 inches of rain in less then 5 hours and it's still raining. I'm really wishing I had an ATV to go out and play with tomorrow!

 

I've been watching the news and saw some crazy pics of streets flooded up to the hoods of suvs up there, don't float away. I was also wondering if you know of any good riding areas around.
Good luck with your with whatever you choose.