I was just wondering which Honda ATV holds its overall value the best. The Rancher or the Foreman? I've looked at all the options and I think that for my needs I want to get a Honda based on the reliability and resale value. Just wanted to know what people thought.

 

I don't think resale makes a difference...it's a HONDA! No matter what you get it is going to hold its value. I think you should choose based on what you want to do with it. Work/play or both? I view the foreman as a work horse that does not give you as many options as the Rancher AT. I may be biased but I think the AT combines the best of the Rancher 350 and Foreman 500 with the convienence of an AUTO tranny.

 

I've looked into the AT, but from what I've read there fairly underpowered. How do you feel about this 12pointbuck? I'm leaning towards the Foreman because of the bigger engine and better suspension, but I would like to have an Auto.

 

I went from a rancher 4x4 350 es to the AT and have found that the AT has more power than the 350 for obvious reasons (bigger engine). During deer season I pulled my buddies pop-up (1300 lbs.) up a muddy hill with no sence of power loss with the rancher 350. The AT has the bigger engine and it allows you to put the tranny into ESP mode which will give you the most pulling power in first gear which is geared very low. Don't be fooled by what you have read. The 400 cc engine is a 400 cc engine no matter how you slice it. I think it is true, however, that when the machine is in AUTO mode there is some power lost but not as much as the others are saying. I have not pulled anything with the AT as I have only owned it for three days. The AT does give you options including an AUTO tranny that the foreman does not. Unless you are planning on pulling more than one ton I would stick with the AT.

 

Thanks, that's the info I need in making a decision.

 

If you're looking for a work biased machine, don't worry too much about displacement. I've got an older 400 Foreman that does anything I ask it to, within reason. Tires and traction are usually the limiting factor, not engine power.
If you want to drive 60 miles an hour down a fire road, which frankly scares the bejesus out of me, then you need to look at something with some real oomph, say a 600 or larger.
It's only been in the past few years that there was anything larger than a 300 or 400 to choose from, so what did we all do before?
Best plan of attack is a few test rides to see what you like. If the dealer's not big on letting you get his new machines dirty, he should have no problem with letting you take out a used or demo machine. It may be a good idea to shop for a dealer located somewhere this isn't a problem. Midcity dealerships aren't so good for this, I bought mine from a hole in the wall small town dealer next to an abandoned railbed, and was gone for a half hour test drive.

 

you plan on selling it in a year or 2? 3-4? If not then don't worry about it. Take good care of it and it'll sell when you need. You'd also have to factor in the up front price and condition during resale. A well cared for Rancher would probably bring more (on a cost basis) than a beat to hell Forman.