Well I am sure there are 1000 other threads asking something similar so I will try to be specific to my needs.
I have went trail riding on a quad 3 times. 2 times was on a Honda 500 through hardpack dirt trails through the bush, and the last time was on a Honda 420 through a mixture of hardpack dirt, sand and mud bog bush trails. Both trails are relatively flat and would be my primary use. I have since decided it is time to drop the $$ and buy my own ATV. I am fairly tight with my money, so if possible I would like to stick to used, and from the reading I have done I would like to stick to a 500 or more. So here are my questions:

1. Should I buy used or is that not the brightest idea?
2. What should I be looking at spending minimum for something reliable and meeting my riding needs?
3. Are there Quads to avoid and quads to look for or is it all about feel and preference?
4. If given the opportunity to test drive a quad, how long should I take it out for and what should I put it through to get a fairly good idea of its shortcomings?

All comments appreciated.

 

here's my two cents on my experiences. i've bought one new quad-my yamaha 450cc grizzly 4x4. we love it. i've bought several used quads-no problems. polaris TrailBlazers, Honda TRX250EX, Polaris Magnum 325. etc....
it's just that new gives you warranty, used is you under a shadetree or in a garage fixing it.
test driving: of course it's no different than a car/pickup you're test driving. acceleration/deceleration. listen to the quad as you put it through the paces. turn sharp both ways and listen/feel for the front end/rear end. don't forget to do the same thing in reverse. the whole time, listen and feel the quad.

some prefer driveshaft and others prefer chain drive. me? i prefer driveshaft but i have no problems with chain drive.
you need to listen to how it idles and revs.
listen and feel how it shifts.
don't let looks deceive you. some people have the ability to polish a turd!
so, put it through the paces and stay alert and you'll do fine.
as far as money, negotiate. everything, well almost everything, has its own price. just don't blow your budget.

 

i have a 05 suzuking king quad 700 and it hauls and will go through anything. but if ur looking for somthing over a 500 ur going to be looking at 4k or over. buying a used quad is a good idea if it has less than 1500 miles. if its over that ask how it was riden and look very closly at they condition