If she wants something easy to ride AC has auto and power steering...

 

What size engine is in your mongoose? I know kymco makes a reliable machine but I didn't know they offered anything competitive enough for racing

 

Mine was a older model. 250cc with a big bore kit..265cc..WOW eh..LOL
Neither the Mongoose or I are a upfront competitor.
This was a test quad for Kymco so I did it all. MX/XC/trails

 

The 250ex is most likely faster and more fun to ride than a Mongoose. The Can-Am 250 cvt sport quad is very similar and all I have read about it is that it is very slow and underpowered. You could look at something like a Honda Recon ES as well. The push-button electric shift is even easier than a foot shift model. A 2wd Rancher 350 ES would be even better(more power) and might be able to find one of those under $1500. Its slightly larger than the recon but is still much smaller than the bigger utility quads.

 

"The 250ex is most likely faster and more fun to ride than a Mongoose"
My boy on his 300ex and I went on a dice run. They had a great big field with trails cut in it and it made for a fun race between us around the field.
We were suprisingly even. I out ran him in the corners and he'd catch up in the straights.
The 250EX is a fine machine.

 

I guess the point is, any of these would be a good choice. It comes down to personal preference. That's basically the way it is with any quad. There's no wrong answer.

 

 

I'm going out on a limb here and will bet the Honda will need less wrenching and when the time comes are easier to get parts then a Kymco.

Lots of Honda dealerships around but I never even seen a Kymco dealership in my life.

 

 

Maybe you need to get out more.