I have been looking at a 400EX and a Banshee. I found the 400EX out the door for $5570 new and the Banshee for $5880 new. I see they both have financing specials, anyone know which one comes out to be a better deal? And are these prices good, anyone seen stuff better in the Southern California area? This will also be my first quad, if that makes any difference on what I should choose.

 

Which one is best depends on how much you can afford to pay each month and how long you will be financing for. both Honda and Yamaha have some pretty good financing deals going on right now, along with the usual sucky Honda card type deals.

If you can afford about $250 a month you would be financing for 2 years. In this case both deals are about equal. The 3.9% Yamaha card rate paired with the slightly higher price of the Banshee will cost you the same as the 6.9% rate for the 400EX. Any time frame less than two years will be a good deal for either bike. Once you pass two years (actually, 23 months since the Yamaha plan is only good through January 2005), then the Honda plan is much better. The American Honda Finance plan is from 12 - 60 months.

So basically, if you can pay the bike off in less than two years, go for whichever bike you like the best. If you think there is ANY chance that you cannot pay it off in full before January 2005, then get the Honda. Don't go with the Honda card plan, stick to the AHFC program. The interest on the Honda card will eat you alive once you get past the honeymoon low interest rate.

Jaybee

 

Both have pretty good financing but what sells me on a bike is warranty and product support. All other differences aside between the two bikes 4stroke vs 2stroke I would probably take the Honda. Better warranty and customer support. Yamaha is **** to deal with for some reason.

 

Don't forget to check with your bank. Thier rate will stay the same for more years if you need it that way.