I tried asking this in an ATV Forum but they don't have the traffic and participation like this forum, and I trust advice that I receive on here.

I have the chance to purchase a 2003 Polaris Sportsman 400 and a 2003 Sportsman 500 with aluminum trailer covers, and helmets. The asking price is $7000. It sounds like a great deal to me but I do not any experience with Polaris. What should I look out for? Any problem areas with these machines? Is the price really as good as I think it is?

My intentions right now are to see the 400 and purchase a new Raptor 700R. Please advise, I already have the green light from the wife.

Thanks.

 

I have never owned a Polaris ATV, but I do have 3 ATVs. From what I have heard and what other people say, Polaris isn't the best out there, they have had a lot of problems. Now those problems could have been worked out by now. I did have a chance to ride a 500, I think it was a sportsman, and I was very dissapointed. My 300 bayou out performed it and even did better in the mud. If you think this is something you want go for it, personally I would wait for the raptor if thats what you really want. That is from my own experience. Good luck.

 

Polaris ATV's are pretty good machines. A lot of it depends on how they are taken care of. You can tell pretty well by looking if the owner abused them or babied them. The one problem Polaris had in the past was their 2-stroke motor. If it has a Fuji 2-stroke I would be leary of any deals. However, the Sportsman's you are looking at should be the 4-stroke.
Polaris are American made and built so that's a plus...
Good luck

 

I wouldn't do it bigblack. I've owned Honda atv's for years and they are literally indestructible. My buddy has a Polaris 500 atv(the pickup model) and we were on a trip to Big Bend last year. His was only couple of months old and the drive belt broke out in the middle of nowhere. I had to tow him 18 miles back to camp with my Honda Rincon, the two atv's and both of us was over twice the tow rating of the Honda but it didnt break a sweat. Everyone I know with a Polaris has had trouble. We even talked to the U.S. Border patrol out there and they HATE their Polaris's. Just my .02.

 

I have owed polaris's all my live, and will to the day I die. I have a 93 polaris 350l atv 4x4 I have replaced one belt and a set of tires and a spark plug the speedo has 22500 miles on it runs circles around my brothers honda 300. both those machine<s are tryed and true. polaris also makes atv for the military. 7000 not bad

 

I completely agree. I have a 2003 Rancher and 2005 Foreman on the farm. Honda is the way to go if your looking for a reliable ride. Both regularly get used to haul feed and pull trailers and equipment. Hondas have always been trouble free rides for us.

 

I test drove a Polaris before purchasing my Arctic Cat. I wasn't impressed with it at all.

I'd go out and test drive some 4-wheelers before you decide which one you want.

 

Seems all the Polaris' in our ATV club (quite a few) go fine until about 1000 miles and then start to fall apart. Our last couple of trips someone was always breaking down. I see more and more Polaris owners switching to other brands...Yamaha or Honda mostly...Mike

 

I have also always had Honda ATV's growing up and loved them all with no major problems. I havent had one in a few years and just thought this might be a good deal that I shouldnt pass up. My goal is to have one 4x4 for the wife and for plowing and also a sportier 4x2 for me, like the new raptor.

Thanks for the input and opinions. I am going to check them out and ride them tomorrow night so we'll see.

 

"I have also always had Honda ATV's growing up and loved them all with no major problems"
I think you have answered your own question...
Id stick with whats proven.

 

You have to give every quad a chance to prove themselves to you instead of settling for the only one you've had an opportunity to ride (hope I'm not offending you).

Sorry to say, but this is the only guy I can really give credit. I'd like to hear from anyone who has actually owned a Polaris (and isn't just saying they do). I have seen every type of atv, damage or break something. I have ridden one polaris in my life and don't have anything, good or bad, to say about it. I believe the best quad I've ridden was a kawi, crawled up anything I pointed it at, but it also rolled on me one time, crushed my legs, ruined me for weeks. It however was my fault and I'm not going to say kawi's are high centered and suck because I was an idiot like so many others do. A lot of the replies just seem partial to their own machines. I hope there are more polaris owners on here than this one guy.

 

This is the classic - YMMV type of thread. Probably wont get enough feedback either way to make a good choice.

 

I agree with you Vader. It always turns into the Chevy vs. Ford contest everytime. Buy what you want....its your money. If you are dissappointed, sell it. There are tons of ATV's out there. I've owned all different brands, with each having its flaws. Good luck.

BTW...2005 AC 500 Manual Limited Lime Green for me and 2001 Yamaha Beartracker for the wife. Heading for Windrock Thursday and I can't wait.

 

I didnt think this thread would turn into a pissing match. I am partial to Honda and Yamaha but thought this was a good opportunity to pick up a couple quads and a trailer cheap. Then later sell the 400 and purchase the new raptor for myself.

I guess I was mostly looking for problem areas and things to look for when I check them out from people with Polaris experience. Thanks for the input. I will let you know what I think after tomorrow.

 

i ride blue or red, i would not buy a anything else, polaris that i have rode were not that great on power handling and seemed kinda cheap, i would get the new raptor 700, i am getting one next month, good luck