I'm moving into a new house in two or three weeks with a long driveway. I will be buying an ATV and will use it to plow the driveway (about 1/3 mile-long). That there hasn't been much available used locally and I'm looking at new ones, especially with the low financing available now (Honda and Suzuki are offering 3.9% on 08's and 09's). I don't like the reverse on the Hondas (push a button, pull a lever, push another button just to go into reverse) so I'm leaning toward the Suzuki. The local Suzuki dealer has 2009 King Quad 400AS 4x4's with a list price of $5,399. I think they are throwing in a free winch too, for that price. I did find a nice 2006 Vinson with 600 miles/121 hours, manual Warn plow, and a big luggage trunk behind the seat for $4500. Obviously, no financing and owner doesn't seem anxious to budge on the price the with the economy, nobody's buying. Both units are automatic but the King Quad is air cooled. I'd also have to buy a plow but the winch might be nice. The main reason for buying is to plow the driveway, cut some firewood (I will need a trailer too!), maybe drag a deer, etc. This will mostly be a tool more than a toy but I assume that I will enjoy riding at around the woods and making trails on my 14 acres. Given my intended use, which is the better buy and what else should I know?

 

Are you kidding a 500 Vision is just in a higher catogory then a 400(376cc) Eigier/KQ. Get the used Vinson.

 

youll be way happier with the vinson, its low millage and low hours.

 

The Vinson is super clean---hardly a scratch. The guy seemed pretty **** about it---he's already changed the oil four times. I think he's running some kind of red colored synthetic 10w-40. Oh yeah, he also put four brand-new mudder type tires on it (I don't know much about any of this but to me they look like tractor tires). He's throwing in a helmet too. He said he paid around $500 for that trunk thing and I'm not sure I would want one but it's part of the deal. I guess I can always sell it later but it might be a good place for a logging chain. It has a brand new battery too. I checked the NADA book value---"average" retail is around $4500 but that is normally on a dealer lot. With the extras, it sounds like a good buy but that's still a lot of money for me right now. Based upon what I am posting here, does that sound like a good price? I'm trying to sell a house right now and the market ain't good. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img] That was the appeal of the cheap financing. Sigh...

 

sounds like a good deal, not great. but if its a well kept mechine its worth the money. if you have the money get the vinson, it more for the money. the 400 KQ wont seem nearly as capeable as the vinson, and youll be paying over a grand more after financing.

 

Vinson all the Way

 

I stopped at a non-dealership shop yesterday that sells used stuff and there was "MY" Vinson! I guess the guy didn't get too many bites so he's trying to sell it on that lot. I still have to look at new ones---the financing is enticing---but I might see if he will do $4500 out the door with all the tax and tags and whatnot. There's a new listing in the paper today for a 2005 camo Vinson with a plow and 250 miles for $5,500. I've got news for him. He's going to be waiting a while...
Also stopped and looked at a 2006 Polaris 800 with 600 miles but pretty beat up already. The guy wants $9,000! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

 

Look around a bit more. In my area there a few dealers that have cut prices dramaticly on 08' Suzuki's. KQ 750 - $5500, KQ 450 - $4700, KQ 400 - $4300. There pushing these out the door as fast as they can to get 09's in. You may be able to find a dealer doing the same? Hope to pick up a KQ 450 soon and at these prices you can't complain.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Also stopped and looked at a 2006 Polaris 800 with 600 miles but pretty beat up already. The guy wants $9,000! </end quote></div>

Even in our Canadian pricing that is nuts.

Don't get to evolved with the year on a used ATV like you do with cars. Go strickly by condition.

I tuned away from 04 Sportsman 500s with 250hr on them befor I bought a older mint 2001 with 120 hr for the same asking price as the 04s.

 

I stopped and looked at the 2009 400AS's yesterday at a stealership. With all the "hidden" costs (delivery, freight, set up, tags...) I'd be pushing $7,000 including sales tax. That sure makes a nice used one look all the more appealing. One dealer gave me a no BS out-the-door price including everything for a 2008 400AS of $4900 but no cheap financing or "free" winch. I guess there's no such thing as a free lunch (or winch) if you're paying almost $7,000![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]