I'm looking for a new to me quad I found a 04 450r supposedly just been built rebuilt runs good plastic in good shape overall pretty nice asking price is 2000

Then I found a 06 outlaw runs good but does not have 2nd gear and needs 1 inner axle kit asking 1300 today
Also found a few nice 400 ex and Ltzs for around the same prices 1500-2000 what is y'all's opinions on which one would be the best trail/cross country race quad

 

Make the owner of the 450r show documents to prove its been rebuilt.
Pass on the predator. If dealer was to repair you are looking at $800-1k for the tranny repair.
The 400ex is a good trail quad but in stock form its no racer.
The Z is a good all around machine.

If you ride fast easy trails and want to race the 450r would be the way to go. Unless they can show you paper work its not rebuilt. The 450r tend to have lower end bearing issues from use. I would check the rebuild papers for such bearings.
Good luck and lets us know what you get!

 

The '04/'05 450R makes one heck of a good starting point for an xc quad. If the Outlaw was KTM powered, then I might lean that way even given the known mechanical problems. In '06 you are stuck with the Fuji motor, which is a good motor, but the power to weight ratio vs any 450 is going to suck.

In this case 450R all the way if it is in good condition.