I finally got to see the new 700 in action this weekend at an atv pull. They really built a good machine this time. Lots of power. It's what I have been waiting for! So, today I went to my dealer and inquired about trading my 1 year old 500 HO on the 700. At this point he gave me a funny look and said I don't think you are going to like what I'm going to tell you. Polaris announced their knocking another $400 off the price of an '02 500 HO. That brings the price of a new one down to $5975 and '01 HO's are now being sold in my area for $5495 and those are brand new left overs. He told me mine would be worth about $4800, it's like new with under 400 miles! I went home and made some phone calls and got the same answers everywhere. I was quoted between $2600 and $3000 to trade. Why is Polaris cutting the prices on the best selling 500 on the market? Who do they think will be their number one buyer of the 700, it's going to be guys who want to upgrade from the 500 HO but who can't, because their not willing to give their 500's away! I checked local classifieds for prices on used quads and Honda and Yamaha 400's and 450's are bringing $5500 for 1 year old machines. I will not be buying a 700 anytime in the near future. I don't understand the logic behind the big rebates on 500's! My only shot at getting a 700 is when Polaris comes out with the 700 HO X and tells all the owners of a 1 year old 700 that they just lost $2000, but the good news is that you can trade for an HO X for only $3000! It's too bad because the 700 is an awesome machine!! I guess it's a great time to buy a 500 HO just not a good time to sell one! Just venting!

 

puller,

First off, just because it's made in America doesn't mean it will have the resale value of a Harley Davidson. I've seen 10 year old POS Harleys going for $10,000. Perhaps if you added some chrome to it and a few "genuine" H-D parts to it, it might be worth more. Secondly since the 700 is in such high demand at this time, the 500s are going to have to go for a song in order for them to sell at all. It's simply the law of supply and demand. If I were you, I'd try to sell it in the classified ads. If you take it to a dealer, he has to make money on it, therefore he is going to give you less for it than he'll make on it. By selling it yourself, you keep the profit.

 

I suggest you drive over to here in NY and trade in your Polaris. The 500HO's are still going for mid to upper $6k here!

 

Thanks for the Post LT. I was feeling a little sick cause I could't even get the full Polaris "up to $500" off list here in NH. I did find a better deal across the river in VT where I could have saved an extra $400 but I stuck with my good local dealer. Guess what, I've got a slightly leaky seal in the front gearbox, and when I told the dealer he said he'd be over to pick it up as soon as the part got in. So I don't feel bad I paid a little more, but I don't like hearing people are buying these for $6000 or less. By the way, if the 500's are selling for $6000, what the the $400's going for?

 

Here in Denver it's just the $500 off, so $6490 + tax. If I could get another $400 off that would seal the deal...