Hey,

I just got an 2004 Grizzly in Western PA. I called ALL my local dealers(local being upto 1 hr drive away) and only 2 had 2004 models. I wanted a camo one and I got lucky. This dealer got one in and it just happened to be camo. Needless to say I took the trip out. I told him I shopped around a bit as I did and the best rpice I could get was $6599...actually this was on a non-camo 04 atv. I haggled and gave them numbers of where I wanted to be. The unit had after market dirt devils on it already (26-12's). They added $316 for that to the price after coming down only $50 from my starting price. So I was at $6550 for the camo 04, he came down to $220 from $316 on the tires wheich he said was his cost. He would not BUDGE on the $6550. I told the salesman to go tell the managers that its not good enough, that I want al least another $100 off. He would not budge. He also added $195 freight. I told him I would not pay that cause it was just a buffer for him. He would not budge. As i pondered why, I recalled that several of the other dealers I spoke to said that a CAMO 2004 would be VERY hard to get as each dealer only gets 1-2 when they first come out.

I realized then that he would not budge becasue if I did not buy it for that price, probably within a week some one WOULD buy it for that price. I did not want a plain color and I did not want an 03'. So, I bit the bullet and paid more than I wanted for an item that according to many of the dealers was in demand.

I paid $6970 (6550+225 tires+195 freight and setup) + tax and title etc, and I added a 4 year warrenty for another $800. This I did not research but I figured if I broke anythiong major once a year for 4 years I'd pay at least that much, especially with the report of breaking axcles etc. Total with 4 year plan was $8420! WOW!!!! Its my first quad and I'm to excited to ride it to care how much it was!!!! YEHAAAAA!!!!!

I read about the boling problems and I'll say this about the 04. I ran it for a few minutes the other day and shut if off. I poped the seat and wanted to check the air cleaner like the dealer said I should do. I popped 3 of the air filter latch clamps, and when I went to pop the one directly over the exhaust pipe, it burned my fingers, and I mean searing type burns. OUCH! This metal clip is directly above the exhaust pipe, and its mounted to the PLASTIC air cleaner housing! This clip was so hot, it boilied spit off of it instantly! That mean this sucker was at least 212 + degrees. ITS MOUNTED TO THE PLASTIC AIR CLEANER!!!! If this plastic is not special heat resistant plastic, ITS GONNA MELT or WARP or CRACK with that much heat!

My fan does run ALOT. and I can feel the heat from the new vented panels, but its not uncomfortable.

I have read about the heat problems on pervious models and I can see a few heat shields in there on the 04. I wanted an 04 becasue I figured thay would have fixed these problems. I hope thay have, but this thing seem to get real hot and that fan is running a lot, crusing along a bit or going slow.

If anyone need me to check for sighns of improvements of the older models, I'd be glad to. I'n 2 hours of riding, I have something rattling in the front of the engine, have yet to investigate.

Since I'm new to riding ATV's, I have a question. I was attempting to take a 10" log in my wooded back yard. I was facing uphill on a slope about 10-20 degrees and tried the log perendicular. I was in 4wheel low. The front tired got up ove it just fine. But I could not get the back tires over it! I tried getting a little momentum by letting the front tires rest on the log and then throttling up. I tried it in 4 wheel lock. No go, I have to back off of it.

Its this just my inexperience, or maybe its very difficult to take a log going uphill? Ideas???

MP

 

I purchased My 2003 Grizzley from lake hill motors in mississippi back in march. Ipaid $5999.99 total out the door. I have no idea what the factory invoice is but I bet it is less than that!!