I think whichever quad you choose, you are going to have to sacrifice something.

Even without reverse, the 400ex looks mighty appealing to me for the price. Sure if money wasn't an object I would recommend a Raptor or even a DS650 (which also doesn't have reverse).

So you might have to do some lifting, pulling, & pushing once in awhile, I guess it's up to the individual what he/she is willing to give up when they purchase their "perfect" quad.

For me, the perfect quad is the one I bought this spring, 2000 Yamaha Wolverine

 

Scrambler 400:
Reverse
Liquid cooled
Never in wrong gear.
Add a pipe and clutch kit (total cost around $350) and now its faster than a 400ex. Put a few more serious mods in it and its faster than a small 4-stroke will ever be.

 

You should buy my 2000 Scrambler 500 it is in great cond, it has HPD Pipe, HPD Aggressive clucth kit, HPD lower steering stem bearing, ITP Spider Tracks, Uni Filter, Rear Rack with matching Polaris Bag, Hella 500 Driving lights, Lower bars... ect
I am selling it to buy a raptor, there is nothing wrong with it and it will waste stock 500s. I am asking 5300.00 I t would cost 7200 to replace it.