I'm trying to decide between buying a used 2004.5 Sportsman 500 with 1065 miles (141 hours). Looks like it has been run hard and the front plastic is broke, but it seems to run good and drive fine. They are asking around $4500. The other option I'm considering is a new 2006 Eiger Automatic. They are selling for $5100 + tax + Lic.

About me and my riding style, 6' 200lb, mostly just trail riding (logging roads, fire roads, old mountain roads.) I do encounter some mud, usually no deeper than a foot or two. I need to be able to go through some deep water 2' +. I do have some steep trails to climb.

Things I like about the Polaris are IRS and true AWD. They are also very comfortable to ride and that is very important to me. I'm not into speed as far as doing wheels and jumping and things but I do like to open it up on a straight-away. I've road the Sportsmans and like them. Buying new (if I could afford it) I would get one.

Don't know anything about the Eiger except, owners love them. I've read good things about them.

So is it worth buying a used Sportsman that might have problems or should I get a new Eiger. Or I'm open to other suggestions in the $5000 range.

On a side note: has anyone had any experience purchasing an atv from Ebay? Good idea or bad?

 

I would have to say the eiger, it is not only because I own one but because it is new and will have a warranty. I have taken mine up to the seat in mud and water it still keeps going strong. If the honda looks like it has been ridden hard than it probably has and is going to be a problem wait to happen. I am not big on polaris so I wont commet. My buddy has an old honda that has been abused and it keeps going and going I dont know how but it does. I would get the eiger and put a winch on it. Just my $.02

 

I'll second the vote for the Eiger. I'm 6'-2" and 200 pounds and it hauls me through anything Tennessee has to offer. For similar $$$, the new vs used logic can't be beat - get the new. IMO, there are better ATV's out there than the Eiger, but not for the same money.

You have to be careful with Ebay and quads. A very high percentage are bogus ads designed to take your money. Some are legit - best bet is to see it before you buy it.

Jaybee

 

You won't regret the Eiger.
I have almost 3000 miles on my 03 automatic.......replaced one rear drive-shaft seal.......that's it !
I use it year around in search and rescue........carry aprox 100 lbs of gear.
I've run it from the Black Rock desert of northern Nevada, to the high Cascades of Oregon.
Do regular service and you'll have a fine, long-lasting ATV.

 

I would NEVER buy a used quad with that many miles from someone I didn't know. YOu are just asking for trouble. I don't care if it is a Polaris or Honda or whatever, you don't know what was done to it. Espicially when the price is that close.

 

my dad just bought a polaris and he just bought me one but i would go with the new one. it has a warranty and you kno that it is yours and are not wondering how somebody else took care of it. a 1,000 miles is a lot of miles.

 

[quote]
Originally posted by: HuntRanchRider
I do encounter some mud, usually no deeper than a foot or two. I need to be able to go through some deep water 2' +.


HAHAHAHA! LOL only 2 feet of mud?

 

Why buy new, when used will do. Because if you don't know every mile that was put a wheeler, you don't know what you are getting. Unless you are a gambling person, I would go with something NEW. The Eiger is a very good machine. It is a workhorse that will keep up with most on the trails.

 

Eiger for sure b/c with a new ATV there is a lot more piece of mind IMO. 1000+ miles is a lot of riding on an ATV and a lot of time for someone to abuse their ATV. It's not high mileage for that year of an ATV though B/c I sold my 04 400 Sportsman with 2300 miles last May and it still had a lot of life left in it. I won't buy a used ATV though, it's just better to know what your ATV has been thru and if it's not been taken care of or not.

 

I bought a 2006 Sportsman 450. It was a demo model from a dealership with 130 miles on it. I got the warrenty as if it was brand new and saved around $500. It was already past its breakin period so they had allready done the first service. I think I got a good deal. Sometimes I wish I had just bought a 0 miles model because you can do alot to an ATV in 130 miles but it seems to work like it should. I've already put my own 100 miles on it. It was about $700 more than the Eiger but I liked the features that much more. After riding it I'm glad I got the Pollaris. I still havn't rode a Eiger but the Sportsman is night and day more comfortable than my dads Honda Rancher 400.