Jumbo probably has the right answer; there is no right or wrong answer here. If you are fairly handy and like working on your bike, used is going to be a much better option, BUT if you are a rider and just don't get into or know enough about working on your machines, new is definitely going to be a better option for you! We all know just how expensive taking a quad to a dealership can be to fix what could be considered minor stuff, the major stuff can be outrageous!
We all know that problems can also happen to any machine, new or used, but normally the warrantee period gives you some time to solve these problems.
Again, it comes down to what you're comfortable with!

Note: And for goodness sake, if you buy from a dealer, (new or used), buy from a GOOD dealer! Not necessarily the cheapest or closest! Buying a Quad from the cheapest can be the most expensive mistake you can make!

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote> I'd rather have something with a 6-year warranty than "as-is", no warranty, for my own piece of mind. </end quote></div>

The warranties around here for Yamaha,Honda and Polaris are only 6 months long,they usually run out while the ATV is stored in a garage during the winter.

 

I'm with Frank on this. I work on stuff for a living and dont want to work on my toys also. Extended service contracts are avail. on pretty much anything for any length of time but read them over VERY carefully. A few are really good most arent worth the paper they are written on.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: jokout



I have come to a point in my life where I don't like to compromise! I like a good deal as much as the next guy, but I will no longer settle for something that doesn't meet my wants and needs exactly...life is too short!</end quote></div>


I am the same way! I'm tired of buying someone elses headache!

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: TLC

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote> I'd rather have something with a 6-year warranty than "as-is", no warranty, for my own piece of mind. </end quote></div>



The warranties around here for Yamaha,Honda and Polaris are only 6 months long,they usually run out while the ATV is stored in a garage during the winter.</end quote></div>

They have extended warranties available for 2, 3, 4, and 6 years from Polaris. If you're making monthly payments the warranty is included in it. A 2008 Sportsman 500 H.O. 6-year warranty is $1,458. The warranty costs about half as much as a bottle of pop each day. To me it's worth the 67 cents a day, because a single major repair will cost hundreds of dollars, minimum. If nothing breaks in six years, you can brag about what a great quad it is, or bitch about the money you wasted on a warranty. Your choice.

 

MY $0.02 and personal experience:

Purchased a 2006 BF650i with 220 miles on it off the internet from a dealer in the US and saved around $2000.00 from what it would have cost here (Nova Scotia, where prices are ridiculous).

Got it, looked mint. Like new. Plastic and tailight were cracked during shipping, but was paid for (check is in the mail) by the shipping company.

Was missing belt reset plug and belt cover gasket was damaged & hanging out. Ordered and repaired. Was very happy so far.

Replaced the tires, installed front brush guard, rear bumper, etc...... normal stuff even it I purchaed new.

Drove it, liked it, working fine but belt was noisy (thought it was normal).

After about 100 miles, belt problems. Took it to the dealer and found out that either an aftermarket clutch was installed or someone tried to adjust the clutch and had no idea what they were doing. $350.00 later, it's fixed and working great so far. Still happy, but it if throws another belt in 100 miles, I'll be p!ssed.

Guess used was good, still up $2000.00ish and would do it again, but would have the ride inspected before buying unseen.

If I lived in the US, i'd still have warranty....that would have been nice...but protection plan is not avaialble here (Canada) anyway, and would not covered the belt problem anyway.

On a side note:

When I ordered mine, I also purchaced a '06 Rancher for a friend from the same dealer, same shipper, 560miles, etc.... Absolutely no problems at all and saved $2500.00+.

Maybe I should have got a Honda....lol (NOT......he's only ever seen my tailights.. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img])

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: ftwflh

I have never had any problems buying a used ATV.Just look them over e real good and ask questions.I got my Scrambler off Ebay 5yrs ago and have no regrets.I cant see paying the high price of anything new when a week after you buy it you loose 25% of what it is worth</end quote></div>
You got that right!
There are too many good deals and good quads out there that you can save a bunch of money. Unless you like that new quad smell, it only lasts after the first ride anyway.
RtickWad, since you have no payments, cash is a good thing for dealing. Money talks, BS walks.
AND if that's you on that quad, I'll say whatever you want to hear.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Budman650

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: ftwflh



I have never had any problems buying a used ATV.Just look them over e real good and ask questions.I got my Scrambler off Ebay 5yrs ago and have no regrets.I cant see paying the high price of anything new when a week after you buy it you loose 25% of what it is worth</end quote></div>

You got that right!

There are too many good deals and good quads out there that you can save a bunch of money. Unless you like that new quad smell, it only lasts after the first ride anyway.

RtickWad, since you have no payments, cash is a good thing for dealing. Money talks, BS walks.

AND if that's you on that quad, I'll say whatever you want to hear.</end quote></div>

Is that a green T-shirt or is he Hulking out? You wouldn't like him when he's angry. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>A 2008 Sportsman 500 H.O. 6-year warranty is $1,458</end quote></div>

An extra $1500 for a warranty? If I add that to the $3000 I saved buying a used 100hr 500h.o (220hr now running great by the way).

I could just buy a second 500 H.O as a spare with that $4500. Two used 500 H.O vs one new 500 for the same price, I think I would take the two used machines.

If one breaks just jump on the next ATV and have spare parts galore. If none breaks then ride one to death and after years of riding pull out the secound ATV and ride that on to death all over again.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I am going discuss the part of the original question that asked specifically about buying a used Polaris in comparison with other makes.

My experience with buying used ATVs (3 Polaris, 1 Honda) has been great. The Polaris' have been more reliable than I expected given their condition and purchase price (each of which varied greatly but lead to the same conclusion).

Now that I have 1 Polaris and 1 Honda I spend my time between the Honda forum and the Polaris forum. Based on the topics posted on each, I think the weak links on the average Polaris seem to be the electronic 4WD and some of the other electronic gadgetry. Complexity of maintenance also seems to be an issue (lots of different fluids to change and fittings to grease). This complexity may cause some maintenance to get ignored by some owners. The Honda weak links seem to be the brakes (drum) and the electronic shifting.

I also get the sense that the average Polaris buyer tends to be a more hard-core rider/mudder which tends to lead to more breakdowns/problems. The average Honda buyer is more work/utility oriented which can be hard on an ATV but probably less so than hard mudding. If this is true (on average), than the average used Polaris may be more whipped than the average used Honda. Again, I am talking average owner/buyer, I know there are other factors to why someone would buy one brand over another (like their dealer). Also, I know many people buy a Honda for mudding and many people buy a Polaris for gentle trail riding.

So, IMO, the average used Polaris will be more prone to bad surprises then the average used Honda. Not because the Polaris is inherently inferior, but due to more complex systems (often electrical), the need for more complex maintenance, and the fact that most Polaris' are better in the mud (higher ground clearance and true 4WD) so they get used more often for that type of riding.

I await your rebuttals.