Is a 2001 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO with 450 miles a good ATV. An older gentleman owned it and only used it to plow snow and it was garage kept. It is very clean but I am just worried about it being a 2001. Do you think that is too old? The price he is asking for it is $2600

 

My favorite ATV was my 2001 Sportsman 500 H.O. and I can't recall having a single problem with it. That's $1,000 more than one in average shape is worth, but it has less miles than most people ride in a year, and it may be worth it.

 

Ok thanks. I may go ahead and purchase it. I talked to the guy last night and he said that it has never even spent the night outdoors. He sent me some some pics and there is not a spot of rust on it.

 

Here a few pictures he sent

 

 

I want it. That was the first year of the H.O. and it looks just like mine did before I wasted my money on mud tires. It had 1.5" longer front suspension travel than my older 500 and a good bit more power. It steered easier with the mud tires on it than the old one did with those stock Goodyear Tracker P tires. It felt like power steering compared to my '96 Sportsman 500. I could really tell the difference when I turned the handlebars while it was parked. All I had to do to mine was turn the idle up just a touch for winter and back down for summer.

 

So seeing the pictures and knowing that there is only 450 miles on it do you think it is a good buy for $2600 dollars?

 

I honestly can't say that it's a good buy. It looks great except for the scratches on the speedometer and dent in the muffler, but it's still $1,000 over the price of one in average shape. Can you talk him down some? I've seen newer ATVs around the same price but not in that great shape. Polaris made over a million Sportsman 500s and there are still lots of parts available for them for now, but it's 17 years old and sooner or later people will quit making parts for it. I like it but if I couldn't get him to budge on the price I don't think I would get it. Make sure you test ride it first and look it over if you do buy it.

 

One thing about low miles 8s things may not have had time to break. My 05 only has 300. It is around the yard since I got sxs.

can get new 500 4k with rebates. But need to add winch and brush guard.

I am looking at 05 for 2k. I do wonder if should just get a new one. But again need to add winch.

 

If it doesn't have winch I wouldn't.