I don't think there is a perfect car or atv or anything. Some people have better luck than others. I also look at resale. We bought a new Mustang over 3 years ago and it's barely worth half what we paid. We used to ride the the honda motorcycles and minibikes over 30 years ago and they just wouldn't break.
I could be wrong, but doesn't Mazda make some of Ford's motors?
We have a 2000 Saturn LS2. I was going to buy a house next door to the dealer so I could drop it off everyday to keep it fixed. GM makes it, but the motor is an Audi. That V6 hauls butt.

 

I have an '01 Xplorer 400 and I haven't had any major problems, just typical maintenance stuff. If you look at the other forums, you'll find that they have their problems too. It really comes down to finding the ride that fits your style for the price you want. Some people (other brand owners) don't like the 4wd on the Polaris. For me, it's convenient and I prefer it. Not to say the 4wd on other brands are bad, they just don't suit my riding style right now.

As for autos, I've never owned an import so I can't say anything bad, but I own a '97 GMC Yukon with 89,000 miles on it and it's in the shop right now having a new engine put in it. I always made sure the recommended maintenance was done but just like an ATV, **** happens and parts fail.

I hope you enjoy whichever you choose. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

 

Sorry about bringing in the car thing, I wasnt saying that domestics are better, only that they would not sell at all if were really as bad as some say. I realize sales are down, but its not like GM is downsizing or anything, they are just not doing too well (I agree there).

Back on topic, I just had the head go on my 02 Xplorer 4x4 last week. No idea why, dealer doesnt no why either. OTD parts and labor was 497. Not as bad as I thought it might have been. I never really trusted that one to begin with, it didnt give me that comfy feeling that our other 250 does. I admit an engine failure after maybe 5000 miles (no odometer, thats a total guess) is disappointing, but I am sure it was my fault somehow, it was our first quad and we did nothing maintenance wise on it for its first 2 years.

 

pertaining to the auto thing. Americans are doing a very good job convincing themselves to buy foreign. i fear the day that this comes back to bite America when our economic structure collapses and we fall into the hands of the VERY wealthy Japanees. maybe they will re-name our country "United States of Japan". you blinded foreign-buying lovers will have noone but yourselves to blame. think about it for awhile.

the Japs know which side their bread is buttered on over in Japan. they all buy their own products in their own country.

 

I thought about it. What brand is your tv? Polaris is made in the USA. What brand is the motor? I haven't heard of too many motor problems, it's the rest of the atv. I work hard for my money and I want something that will last and will be worth some money down the road. Look at all the top 10 car lists. How many american made cars are there? You sound like the vegetarian wearing leather shoes.

 

1500 miles on my Sportsmen 500 and not one complaint , I had the belt spin once when it was up to the fenders in water , but thats my fault , I should of sliconed the beld case before I went that deep in water !

 

Tyler711, I said that because i have posted to things like this before and any negetive comment to a persons favorite brand gets them all riled up. Most of the time they say it is the owners fault and so on. Its like a mom and child, when she comes to pick him up from the principles office and she says my boy would never do that.

 

Alright, no problem. I was just a little fed up with the polaris bashing in this forum.

tyler

 

Sorry for starting a Polaris bashing thread but I guess I asked for it.
So far I havn't heard any good reason not to buy a Polaris. It just sounds
like various problems will occur with any given brand. All of them
will make a lemon now and then, sometimes accidents happen, or machines
are abused or not maintained.I did not hear of any specific reoccurring problem.

Maybe I'm just hearing what I want to hear, but I did like the Polaris better and I
think that's what I will buy. Thanks to everyone for thier opinion, it helped!

 

04.5 SP500HO here 1400 miles on it and no complaints other than the 4wd occasionally will kick in with the switch off, but then again the machine "thinks" yer stuck and wants outta there, i've never had it not engage when i needed it to, just sometimes when i didnt want it to but now that i've flushed the front differential/hilliard whichever the correct term is I don't seem to have too much of a problem with it. Not a big fan of the 65 mile range on a full tank but im also used to riding a 350 yamaha warrior or a 250 honda big red 3 wheeler, could ride those suckers all week on a tank of gas. Long story short I feel you will enjoy the 500 if you go with it, or any other machine for that matter.