Thanks for the input everybody.

 

yea theyre pretty reliable. ive gone through about 2 feet deep mud and didnt get stuck. the only problem i had with it was the steering shaftgot messed up but that was because of a previous owner. theyre a great machine. it would fit your kid perfectly

 

My friend has a Recon. That thing is like riding a go-kart on the trails. Been reliable and have had no problems. It's not 4wd so it is kinda limited, you just have to learn what it will and won't do. Overall it will do a lot though.

Have fun

 

I have a 98 recon i have taken in mud about a foot deep with almost completely bald rear tires and it performed a lot better than i thought it would i now have GBC gators all the way around. about the durability, Me and my best friend beat the living crap out of it we jump, do donuts, ride wheelies, take it 20 mph down a trail that has been torn to sh it by a bobcat a caterpiller and its still running strong In my opinion people underestimate the power of that little 230cc. The only problem ive had so far is that the rear shock wore out but we replaced it with a shock from an 80's suziki dirt bike(but mine is older sometimes older things are built better and stronger sometimes not) and if i were you i wouldnt go with the es its more complicated, the simpler things are the less chance they have of breaking and its also electric if you plan on doing mudding i wouldnt trust the whole electric push button setup.