mines a 00', and it has been very good to me, I would have had alot less down time if i woulda left it stock and riden it easier haha, 95% of problems were my fault

 

I had real good luck with a 2001 rode the sh-- out of it. took good care of it though, sold it to a buddy got a 04x now

 

My 2001 had no major problems (only the fan issue which was fixed in 2002, and I fixed my 2001 as well) and my 2003 has been perfect. Two machines, close to 100 hours on each, only two dead fans from the 2001 before I fixed the mounting to the newer style, not too bad. I've changed the oil, adjusted the valves, and added gas.

 

I have over 400 hours on my '01, so far I've replaced waterpump seals and shaft once ($20 repair), replaced oil pressure sensor twice ($8 each), fan twice ($70 each), countershaft seal twice, and battery once. '02 and after have the new rubber anti-vibe fan mounts so fans should last longer, but other than that the rest of the stuff I mention all years will be prone to and I don't consider any of them significant at all.

Oh, almost forgot, '03 and on models have the braided brake lines, these eventually become a must. As with any and all manufacturers rubber lines, they wear out and brakes fade worse and worse over time as flex in the brakeline absorbs hydraulic pressure. if you get an older '00 or '01, and the brakes are week, this is why. Braided line kit front and rear new from ASR is cheap on e-bay. seems like around $60...

 

So what I am hearing from ALL of you is that there really is no BAD year in particular.
Most of the issues are Minor and All of them are easily solvable.

The hunt continues!!

 

I would go with a new one myself. Not that the earlier years are bad. With a used one you are taking a chance because you really don't know how it was treated and maintained. Unless you know the person who is selling it and even then it's a crapshoot. Plus there's nothing like the feeling of loading up a brand spanking new ATV from the dealer!!!

 

NO argument from me!
I am hunting hard.
If I can get a good deal on a 2003/4 used model, so be it.
If I can get a REALLY good deal on a 05 even better.

Working several dealerships right now to see what I can come up with.

Waiting on a quote from Bert's Mega Mall in California as we speak.

 

Be real careful with Bert's. I called, and was asking about a 2003 DS650 Baja, I said 2003 many times. Over the phone they said they could match or even beat the deal I had of $6900 OTD on a 2003. When I arrived, they were lining me up with a 2002. I told them I didn't want a 2002, and that if I was going to buy a 2002 it needed to be a lot less than $6900. I told them how about 6200 or 6300 on the 2002 or give me the 2003 for $6900 like we had discussed but they kept saying the couldn't. I told them I was ready to buy that minute if they were ready to sell.

The end result was I left with no DS and bought it elsewhere.

Try Simi Valley Honda, they gave me a good deal.

 

Thanks.
They were not even within $1,000 of the Shop back east.
So I am not thinking they are going to be getting my business.