I'm new here. Anyway, I'm looking at a Honda Rubicon. This unit was used on a ranch, basically the owner ran it out of oil by mistake and traded it in. The shop rebuilt the motor, has a complete new top end. The owner says he's into the repairs for $2800. The sale price is around 3800. The unit wasn't abused, just used a lot. It apparently really never saw 4x4 trails ( which is what I plan to use it for). Any ideas about this Honda? I also have a chance to get a Polaris 500 ( independent suspension ). It has fairly low hours and is 06 I think. From what I've seen, it's a pretty good price at the low 3K.
Have people had pretty good luck whit the Rubicons? I'm thinking ( not to start a war over brands, I just want a good first machine at a decent price so that I can have some fun ) that I like the idea of Honda just because there are so many out there, and they appear to darn near be bullet proof.
Thanks
Steve

 

I would be nervous, the Rubicon has a complicated transmission that is "unserviceable", its has to be replaced if it breaks as a whole unit (Not Cheap).
Honda Transmissions ?? - Honda Foreman Forums : Rubicon, Rincon, Rancher and Recon Forum

Since the motor oil is the tranny's transmission fluid and it ran out and blew the motor,who knows what happened to the tranny. Why take the chance.

 

Thanks for the info and the link. Looks like I could be into an older Honda for what it would cost to get a new one. Just the cost of some new tires and the transmission would set me back about $2500, plus the cost of the unit itself. I could be into it for 6500 for a used ATV. Not a great deal.
I was checking out that Polaris sportsman 500. It seems to be in pretty good shape, not beat, and it is around 3300. I may go that way instead.

 

I sold my super reliable 2001 Honda 450ES Foreman so I could buy a 2001 Polaris Sportsman 500 5 years ago and have no regrets.

 

my friend has a sportsman 4x4 and a honda rancher 4x4... and his dad wont even let him take the honda out riding because the 4wd isnt all that great and he knows he will get stuck easier then he would on the polaris. we recently bought a polaris as well and we have no regrets, it has been a great machine!

 

I'm liking the idea of the Polaris more and more. I fell in love with ATV riding about 10 years ago on an Arctic cat going down the Rubicon trail..... Anyway I like the fact that the Polaris has independent suspension, it's not been driven out of oil, etc. My problem is that I've been excited to get anything, my wife told me that I need to just slow down. That's actually great advice. Darn woman was right again.
Now, when I have the cash for the ATV later this week, he'll probably have sold both bikes. UGH...

 

haha i was the same way! i just wanted something that would work for me lol but i finally sat down and did some research; it definitely helped to look into all of my options!