I guess I would only get a diesel if I was pulling something all the time. I think a gas would be better where I live where it gets 30 below zero and sometimes 80 below with a wind chill. I don't think I would care for the noise, and the torque is there, but the horsepower isn't. Also, I've seen some and the acceleration isn't what a gas is either. They may be more fuel efficient, but sometimes when you need to fuel up you may have a hard time finding a "gas" station with diesel. Most new gas trucks now can go 100,000 miles before their first tune-up, and I probably would never put that many miles on a vehicle before it is traded for something else. I didn't write this to offend anyone with diesels, but was just wondering why so many people buy them or like them.

 

Ok I'll move my answers to the AC vs. Sportsman thread.

Jeremy

 

Here is a story about how reliable Cummins Turbo diesels are......I know a guy from southern minnesota, he hauls pigs, with a Dogde Turbo diesel and a 5th wheel, up to central canada for a living. I was talking to him one day and asked him how many miles he had on his Dodge pickup. He says oh little over 400,000 miles. I almost **** my pants right there! 400,000 miles!!! My god!! He said he had it tuned up at 100,000 miles, but that wasnt nessacary, it was just factory. He said he will run it for another 100,000 miles then trade it off. i dont think he is going to get to much for it. If polaris could build a diesel that could withstand that kind of torture, well then they would be alright.



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RangerSX 1987 Honda 250X(completely stock)

 

Andrew Thomas,
Car and truck engines aren't the same.There's a big difference between a 390 (or any other size) car engine and truck engine. It is similar to 2 and 4 stroke quads. The 2 stroke is more for riding, the 4 is more for work. A truck is built with a heavier duty cam and crank;this provides awesome pulling power. Say, for instance I take the 390 out of my Ford ton (350 for you city slickers)truck with the heavy duty cam and crank, and replace it with a 390 car engine. It won't pull crap. Simply because it is made more for driving and isn't for pulling . I also have a three-quarter ton (250) Ford (3 speed on the column) that has another heavy duty 390, it pulls like mad too. Therefore, car and truck engines are not much alike

 

Man, I'm sorry to hear that a good Honda quad got lost in the fire! Dang.

 

The honda wasn't much of a loss. It was flat worn out, but I will definitely say that they got their moneys worth out of it. They have a huge farm, and everything they buy gets used until it is worn out. If it makes you feel any better, the guy is going to replace the Magnum with a honda, probably will be a 450s. About two months after he got the magnum, he told me that he liked the ride and the auto tranny, but he just didn't feel like it would hold up the way his hondas have. They have had 2-300s, 1- 250 fourtrax, and even the old 84 TRX 200. I was shocked when I heard he got a polaris. I think its just because that is what the tractor place carries, and he does a lot of business with them. He didn't have any regrets about getting the Mag500, but he wont replace it with another one, simply because like most people around here, he is a honda guy. Old farmers don't get caught up too much with performance or plushy rides. They just want something tough that will last a long time.

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Andy Bassham *(1999 Arctic Cat 500 4x4, 1989 Honda 300)*