Hey guys!

This is my first post here. Looks like a good active Forum. I'm looking at buying something older but i'm not sure what I should get. I've got maybe 500 dollars to spend tops. Anyway, I"m looking for something from the 80's, that's decently strong, a 4x4, 4 stroke, in the 300 to 400 cc range, and a manual transmission. I've been looking around a bit on ebay and places, but haven't seen anything that caught my eye. I'm a decent mechanic, and can figure things out if the thing isn't running, cause i know you're probably going to say that it's gonna be next to impossible to find a 500 dollar running ATV. Anyway, if any of you guys have any fav's holler back. Thanks in advance.

 

A Honda 300! I have a couple of buddies that have ones they bought new back when, and they are all still running strong.

 

They are rare in 4 x 4. You want to find an older honda, suzuki or yamaha. It will be a tough search and be prepared to do alot of maintenance on an older machine.

Truthfully.... you will get an older machine then desire to up-grade to a better machine. Want some sound advice... save more money and get a newer machine. You will be happier in the long run.

 

Unless you find someone who doesnt know what they have, a 500 dollar quad is a totally used up wreck...and 4x4..forgetaboutit.
Even old beat up bayous are still about 1200 bucks for a runner, and usually what you find in that price range has got major issues...thats why its for sale. If it ran good...the owner wouldnt be selling.
Youll be saving on labor costs by doing your own work, but parts aint cheap.
I agree, with bobvt ,look for something less than 4 years old. In the long run, thats the cheapest route. There are lots of older guys who think wheeling would be fun, buy one, use it once, and then it sits. Try to find one of them...you know it wasnt abused, or trashed. They are out there, and usually you find them by word of mouth, ask around in the nieghbor hood and at work, and with the family over the holidays, its surprising how many are out there.
Good luck, and welcome to the forums

 

$500, let's see (thinking) I believe I saw one like that in Walmart last night. Comes with batteries and a remote control too. No seriously, $500 will maybe give you a downpayment on one. Never gonna happen dude, just keep saving!

 

Good points here. A working (or almost working) 4wd ATV is worth a lot more than $500 for most people -- as 500 won't get them anywhere close to a new atv, so they just hang on to the old one until it is really shot.

Save a bit more and get one a few years newer. Anyway, an ATV is not something you want to have to worry about breaking down all the time.