I'm looking at a 1999 Bombardier Traxter 500 4x4 which is in pretty rough shape. The guy tells me it needs a coil, and I know it needs a seat. No doubt it needs all new bearings, brakes etc. too. I will do a compression test and so forth but what else should I be checking? What issues are usually apparent with this year traxter (1999)?

 

If it is really that beat up, then he obviously did not take very good care of the machine. Make sure the brakes are good, the engine still has compression, and how much rust on it there is. Ask the owner why he is selling it.

 

I'd check stuff like, does it have oil in it, is the carb leaking, shake the wheels to see if there is a lot of slack in the wheel bearings, if the plastics broke up, headlights/taillights work, make sure the VIN # isn't ground off, does he have a title, Is the rear-end/front-end leaking. And other general maintance stuff.