Whatever I can get a good deal on. Too many postings on Craigslist are only $500 or so less than retail, which I would rather spend the extra $500 and get a new one.

I haven't been to Honda yet to see how good of a price I can negotiate...espesialy with this crappy economy, I bet they arn't selling to many.

 

Problem you may run into with buying used in your area is not knowing how many of them got flooded when Ike came through.

I know how tight money can be, but that 500 bucks for new with also bring a warranty with it.

 

Personally I'd go to the next larger size. With ATV's, bigger engine doent always mean a ton more weight, or speed, but its nice to have the power there for those times when its required. Deep puddles will bog down a small engine quicker.

The older 300 2x4 and 4x4 ATV (not the sport model) were great ATV's should be reasonably priced used and very reliable. Once you get it and have bearings and brakes looked over you would have a great bike that is not too big but gets the job done. The 350 2x4 & 4x4 replaced the 300 in the honda lineup and is also a great bike.

If your buying new, the new 420 has replaced the 350, so its the next step up in the Honda Lineup, but its a nicer bike then the 250 for sure, for the extra couple $$$. I think if you test ride both at a dealership you'll be hooked on the slightly larger bike.

 

Ok, stupid question about the Recon, is it an automatic or manual? The specs on Honda's website say "Clutch: Automatic". What the heck is an Automatic Clutch?

 

I have two 2wd ranchers, a 2003 and 2004. I have the electric shift model which is a push button shifter. I would rather have the foot shift, but I got a deal on these used... Anyway the auto clutch is nice. You simply let off the throttle, and shift, perfect shift every time. And it takes all of 60 seconds to adjust it too... I recommend the 2wd rancher, whole heartedly!!

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I think you would like it till u rode somthing bigger I would at least go with the 300 </end quote></div>

Not necessarily,my 2wd Yamaha 250 (229cc also) could keep up or pass my 350 4x4 Yamaha Big Bear.

I used my 250 2wd for years for fishing trips through rough trails with both racks loaded heavy with gear and not once did it fail me.

 

My nephew has a 05' recon 250 and I have a 97' 300. He often out runs me (speed). 2 weekends ago at the local atv park he climbed the highest hill out there 3 times (guys on 660 and 700 machines would stop and watch him, shake there heads and say I aint climbing that hill). The only place I saw where the 250 is less then the 300 was on ground clearance. He only had that problem on one biiggg mud hole we came across on a trail, that had no other way around but through it. Both machines are stock.

 

my buddy had a 350 2x4 rancher ..it did great on the trails handled fine and went through all the mud my other buddys 4x4 350 went through ..............................
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.,and if u want new but a deal .call the honda shops not out of reach from were you live ,and ask if they have any leftover stock quads.....like a 2006 model that has never been sold.. alot of times they wiil sell these 1000.00 or so less than the 2009,,but u still get the warranty and a new machine
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.sounds to me that if u buy a new honda and ride as you described youll be giving it to your grand child in 20yrs