Hey everyone,

I'm a total newbie when it comes to ATV's but I am looking for something to plow my driveway (not too long and flat), as well as my parents (up a hill and much larger). I don't want to spend a lot of money but I am also weary of getting stuck with a piece of junk and having to put money into it to fix it. Is this a good deal? I looked at it the other day and the price is down to $1600. It has 1800 miles on it. What kinds of things should I be looking for and/or making sure it has...auto reverse, 4x4 etc. Any and all suggestions are welcome and I appreciate the help!

-m

1987 Suzuki LT250 ATV 4x4 with Plow

Also looking at these:

SNOW IS COMING!! Quad w/ plow
1987 Suzuki 4wd quad
Honda ATV -TRX 300
ATV 2004 Prairie 360 4x4 with Plow - super clean

 

Personally, I'd go for the Kawasaki Prairie 360. Newer models make it easier to find parts when needed. An automatic is nice when plowing. Good proven quad. In low it will lose traction before it loses power to push the snow.

 

moose - thanks

how do i determine if any atv has an automatic trans? are most utility atv's auto?

what about the honda trx300? comes with some extras and the price is lower.

 

There are basically three types of transmissions (outside of Honda's ES and automatics). Fully automatic is like shifting a car that has an automatic transmission. Select the gear and go. Semi automatic lets you shift with your foot but doesn't have a clutch to pull in. Manual has a clutch lever on the left that you pull in to shift. You shift these with your foot too. Honda has an ES-Electric Shift which is a push button instead of a foot shifter. Early models had some problems. They also have a car-like automatic transmission instead of the CVT belt drive automatics everyone else has. Most utility machines that are made now are CVT automatics. There are a few you can get with semi-automatic shifters.

The Honda in your list seems to be a little on the high side price-wise to me.

 

ok thanks for that info. What about reverse? do most atv's come with an auto reverse, where you select the reverse gear and go? i guess my question is with respect to the models I am looking at (older models).

also, when you say the price for the honda looks high, is that taking into consideration that it comes with a plow and and trailer?

 

Even with the extras it seems a little steep to me.

Most modern quads with the exception of some sport quads have reverse. I'm pretty sure all of the ones you are looking at have reverse. Some just shift into reverse. Some you might have to hold a brake lever, move a shift, and turn a ****. Some of the semi-automatics had this kind of tricky way of getting into reverse. Once you get used to it, it's not a big deal.

 

Is $2200 a fair price for a 2001 Polaris magnum with 54 inch plow? It's a 325.

 

That's the retail price for the quad in excellent condition according to Kelley Blue Book, KBB.com. I'd try to get the seller down at least a couple hundred dollars.

 

Ok so I've learned that most people selling their quads are almost always looking for more than its worth. Having said that, I spoke to a seller yesterday and finally feel someone is being fair. Honest guy, knows his stuff and is being more than accommodating. He is selling his 2006 Kawasaki brute force 650 4x4. He has a plow and a brand new 2000 lb super winch which he is including. He originally wanted 3500 but said he would let it go for 3k. 208 hours and 1300 miles. Thoughts??

 

thanks in advance for all the help so far.

what are your thoughts on this:

2005 arctic cat 500 with winch and 50" plow. = 3K?