My brother-in-law is looking to purchase a 500 Sportsman. We've seen some 1998-2000 Sportsman 500's for about $1,000 to $1,500 less than what it would cost to purchase a new 2001 model.

My question, is the 2001 model worth the extra bucks? I've heard there have been some significate upgrades on the 2001.

Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

4x4 quads hold their value, big time. I played the same game when I got my 2000 SP500 last year. A month later they came out with the 2001 HO for the same price. The HO has 20% more horse power and they did something with the steering to make it a little easier to turn. If you got the cash get a new one.

 

Yeah if you can go with the 2001 they made allot of improvements to the braking and the steering plus the extra HP would be nice. Plus people are generally hard on there 4x4's hard to say how hard it was used. I have almost 2000 miles on my 2000 and so far it has needed nothing so the 2001 should be better. ATV hold there value big time it is great if you are selling but crappy if buying.

 

I've got a 96 spt 500, and I love it, I'm sure the improvments make it better, but, as the other guys said, if you have to cash, buy the new one, if you buy an old one, you could have problems that will show up after you've bought it and ridden about 20 mi (happened to my friend, got ripped off real bad!!!!) Yeah, go with the new one if you got the CHEEZE

Madman

 

The HO is much improved from past years. I have ridden one and it accelerated like a 400ex till they got to higher speeds. Hard to believe, but true. I have a 99 500 and it has lots of power and is a great machine. I do think that the HO would be worth the money.

'99 sportsman 500
'99 scrambler 400 4x4
'00 trailblazer

 

Before I bought my HO I checked used prices and found that even a 99 SP in good shape was only 5-600 bucks less than new. I would definately go with a new one, even at 1000 bucks more. I called around my 5 state area and found the new HO for $6,100 with 2k Warn winch included. Call around, you will be very surprized at the price differences. I got mine at a huge dealership that had a dozen or so HOs on the floor and at least that many boxed up. Could have gotten any color except the RSE or DUSE at the same price, even the silver one.

 

The 2000 has the same improvements as the 2001 except for the easier steering set up and the H.O motor has more power because of its higher duration cam and 40mm cab.The 2000 is 1500 less so you can add a winch and 27" top of the line tires and go more places and still have money to spare.Also the non-H.O motor can get 100 miles out of a tank of gas while the milage of the H.O is like 70 miles from what I have been reading.Believe me the extra 30 miles you get out of a tank comes in handy and makes the differance if you have to lug a gas can around all day or not.

 

I would agree about buying the HO, I wanted a ATV so I bought my 2000, sometimes I wish it had a little more umpfh. At the time I didnt know the HO was coming, no problems at all to date, just waiting for V-twin everyone is dreaming of to surface. As far as mileage, during hard trail riding I will only get 13.5 to 14 mpg, I leave it in low and keep the RPMS up. Everyone is different, rides different, so mileage may vary.