I am starting to look for an ATV for myself. Got the kids fixed up now dad needs one. I want a 4x4 but with all the choices and brands its a little confusing. Need to stay under 4000.00 so it will be used. Any recomendations?

Thanks

 

it all depends on what your out looking for. all the different companys specialize in different areas. i Myself would recomend looking for a Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O. built on or after 2002

 

Why after 2002 ?

 

polaris had major reliabilty problems on alot of quads before 2000, and finnaly really cleaned up around 2001. just for a full experience id say a 2002 so there isnt any issue. but my 2000 H.O. has seen 5000 miles and havnt had a single problem with it other than a snapped tie-rod that i did... and 6 total ripped boots

 

Yamaha Big Bear. Nothing fancy, a little dated, but simple and tough.

 

what about a older yamaha kodiak 400 4x4 the ones that are manual they are great! tough as nails and never breaks ours is a 93' and never had a problem with it

 

What about a Honda 300 4 trax are they anygood, they are semi auto, can these 4x4's be taken out of 4 wheel drive or are they constant

Thanks!

 

I had an 88 or 89 (can't remember off the top of my head) Honda fourtrax 300 4x4. It was very reliable and pretty much bulletproof. About all I had to do was change the oil and keep rubber on the rims. Mine was full time 4x4. Had the factory option front racks and floorboards. Nice machine. The front had no locker so when one tire loses traction it gets all the power and spins. Still a vast improvement over 4x2. I could go much much farther and get stuck much less than all of my buddies who had the 2 wheel drive atvs.

I found I could go through extremely deep water with it. Unless you swamped it over the seat for a long time it was really good in the water. About the only time I would get it drowned out would be if the whole atv got stuck under water. No belt drive to get wet and the airbox seemed to be good at keeping the water out. Great for playing submarine commander.

A great little machine and I'd love to find an old one to restore just for old time sake.

 

I picked up my used 2003 Kodiak 450 for that price. It does anything I ask it too, fun on the trails too.