I am very close to closing a deal on a 2007 camo 500EFI. As dumb as it may sound, I just love the camo. My problem is that I can get a 2007 non-camo 700EFI for the same price! I primarily hunt and ice fish with my machines, so I know I don't NEED the power, but am I a fool for going with the 500? Are there any reliability issues with the 700?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Think of resale. The 700 is worth more than the 500. I'm not a fan of camo but I'm a HUGE fan of more power for the same price. Go w/ the 700. My 2

 

I'd go with the 700 also. of course I'm biased as mine is a 700 w/camo. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] they do make camo wraps that you could put on the 700.

 

There's no replacement for displacement.

 

Personally I would always prefer the more powerful machine for my riding style but if the extra power is not as important to you as fuel economy (for instance) you still may prefer going with the 500 and getting the color (Camo) that you like.

Other than better fuel mileage I can't think of an advantage the 500 would have over the 700 except for maybe less wear and tear on the drive train (which includes the drive belt) since less power is being applied to those components. The 500 would be able to go anywhere the 700 would, it's just that you would have the capability of doing it faster on the 700...

 

What options does the 500 have besides being camo? Does it have a winch, EBS, hand and thumb warmers, camo wheels, rack extenders, etc? I dont think the 700 in 07 was offered as a delux, so it probably won't have EBS, fancy wheels, or the rear work lights like the delux models. I have a 500, 700, and 800, and by far the best machine I have is the 500. I'm not knocking the polaris twins, but I love how the 500 starts, handles, and runs flawlessly. The twins are faster, but the 500 will do everything you need it to do and that 500 (499cc) engine has been used in polaris atvs since 1996. The 700 has been in atvs since 2002.

Good luck, you cant go wrong with either.

 

The 500 will go places the 700 will go... but my 700 will do it much easier (mud, hills, etc). Just 1/4-1/2 throttle and a gentl roar and its done. I really like the low-end torque. The 700 also has the grin factor that you don't get off the 500. Go drive both -- I think the green color on the 700 gives it the army/camo look.

The camo versions do offer good resale for two reasons-- 1) the camo protects the plastic and hides the scratches very well and 2) hunters are more prone to buy the camo when you go to resell. The 500 is also the most reliable unit that polaris sells, imo. Since it has been out 10 years, they have debugged it very well. The 500s are also easier to resell because it is a good "size" machine and excellent featured.

 

I've got the 500's and my brother in-law's got a 700EFI , when we're out as a group trading machines my 500 carb gets the highest marks for ride and noise level. The acceleration on the 700 is neat, but it seems like it could get you into BIG trouble in a hurry.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is that the 500's seem to have about 2X the engine braking power the 700 does, has anyone else noticed that?

The bottom line is you'll be happy with either one of them, if you're worried about resale, put your money in your 401K.

ATV's ARE TOYS.... NOT INVESTMENTS

 

Here is an update.......

Just got off the phone w/the dealer. All prices are bare, no winch, etc.

500 EFI camo 6000 OTD

500 EFI (not camo) 5700 OTD

700 EFI 6000 OTD

I'm thinking about saying the heck with the camo for $300. Sounds like the 500 is the more bulletproof motor, but do I pay the extra for the 700.......

 

I own a 700 & my Uncle own's a 500 EFI. To tell you the truth, it all depends on what you want. The 700 has great power!!! A downfall I have found is that it is kind of boggy when you go slow in H (3-7 mph). I have two young son's so I go slow with them on the machine. The 500 isn't that way. I clutched mine a little different to take care of that. The 700 also doesn't have a back-up recoil pull start. I carry a pair of jumper cables in the back. My son's tend to turn the key & leave it on.

The 500 EFI is great machine. It is probably a better all round machine. But when I am close to seat deep in mudd/snow, I hammer the throttle and smile. I am glad I have a 700!!!!!

Hope this helps