My sister wants to get a Honda rancher, but I am trying to talk her into a Magnum 330. Can you guys give me the good and the bad about this machine. I used to have a trilblazer and loved it. Never had any trouble from it, ever. So i feel Polaris makes very high quality machines. Thanks in advance.

 

Well, the differences aren't that great. Both are air-cooled, 4wd machines, and if I remember right, the Rancher now has selectable 2wd-4wd.

What the Polaris has over the Rancher:
Smoother ride
heavier built
true 4wd
better oil cooler for the engine
Higher payload capacity/larger trailer towing capacity
Adjustable rear suspension


The Rancher over the Polairs:
Lighter weight
resale value
somewhat more nimble handling (due to being lighter in weight)


There are also things that are different, but not necessarilty an advantage:
Polaris has auto tranny, the Rancher is foot or ESP shift 5 speed
looks/styling
ergonomics - the Rancher is somewhat 'smaller' all around, the Magnum is far better for 'big' people
Maintanence - the Rancher won't need greasing like the Magnum will - some like greasing it, some hate greasing, others don't care.

Really, it is as much personal choice as anything else.
I have 6900+ miles on my Polaris, my cousin has about 5000 on his Rancher, and both seem to be holding up about equally well, maybe a VERY slight advantage to the Rancher.
Around here, there is a definate price advantage to the Magnum, but the Rancher holds resale value better. If you plan to drive the wheels off, you can save some bucks with the Magnum. If you trade every couple years, the Rancher will be worth about as much more in 2 years as it cost when you got it, so you really don't lose anything. Also, dealers have different prices. I am just going by what the prices are around here.

Farmr

 

my mom and step dad have an sp500 and an express 300 2wd 2 stroke. my dad has a rancher es. i know that the magnum is different than my polaris quads, so no need to point it out.
the rancher es is the favorite of most everyone who goes riding with us. it rides like a cadillac in the trails, has plenty of power for fun or utility, and will go through anything you can throw at it. the electronic shifting combines the ease of an auto with the control of a manual. its pushbutton and clutchless. i have no problems or anything bad at all to say about the rancher, i have been impressed and beyond happy with the quad.
my suggestion is to try out a rancher, possibly with a friend on the trail. dont make the purchase until you can. personal experience always means so much more than words.
either way, quads are fun, and any quad is better than no quad.