I found one of the biggest decisions when buying a new quad is "do I need 4 wheel drive or do I want a more sporty 2wd". Well, that's why the two Scramblers and the Yamaha Wolverine were made. They offer much more sportiness than utility 4x4s. Also, the Scramblers are more sporty than the Wolverine, because they have a 2wd option and more power and performance. I don't think you will be disappointed with a Scrambler, either one, and you will like having 4x4 for the terrain that requires it and a machine that flies when you're on open terrain.

 

I was in your shoes four years ago and bouhght a Polaris because my neighbor bought one and had good luck with it. My machine has been flawless and the two stroke power is the only way to go! There are alot of inexpensive mods to make Polaris Quads really run!

 

My dad and I have had Polaris Atv's since '93. Mine is a 95 Sport with a little less than 2 thousand miles and Dad's is a 94 400 4X4 with 3000 miles so far. We use our machines daily for farm and ranch work, I use mine to haul manure, skid logs, and bring in firewood, as well as pleasure riding and other work. Neither of us have ever changed a belt. I believe others have had trouble, though, when riding hard in water. I ride in water occasionally, but haven't had any trouble.
However, we are adult riders, and have no interest in doing wheelies, catching big air on jumps, or similiar things. We go through all kinds of terrain without difficulty, and ride with Sport machines once in a while and haven't been left behind yet.
Neither machine has ever been beat in a drag race with any machine that has a reverse except other Polaris'. I don't believe everyone should own the same brand of machine as me, I only state that for our use (described above) the Polaris' has served us well and without trouble. The 400ex is a fine machine, but it is useless for anything other than joyrides. All Polaris' can have a hitch and rear rack put on and do some work. Reverse is not an option when it comes to doing work, it is a necessity. Single lever brakes, CVT drive, and floorboards as well as electric start are conveniences that make life easy. Even the extra weight of all Polaris' help these machines do some things easily that might be a disadvantage to other endeavors. I used to have a Honda 250 R and put a hitch on it so I wouldn't have to buy a second machine to do work on the farm. It was too light to pull a trailer and would wheelie and you couldn't steer it. It was great for sport riding, but it was obvious I had needs it would never satisfy, it had to go. I've never felt the need for another machine since I've owned my Sport 400L.