2006 polaris sportsman x2 500 efi

AKStew · #1 (**permalink**) 12-01-2011, 08:18 PM

I have the opportunity to buy a 2006 Sportsman 500 X2 EFI -- 160 hours and 1800 miles -- from a family friend for around $2,000. I have ridden with them multiple times over the last two years and it runs and looks perfect except...

Last summer, it got away from him in a fast flowing river and it rolled three times. It came to rest on its side in about 2 feet of fast flowing, sparkling clear water and it took around 15 minutes to get it out.

We immediately went over it with a fine-tooth comb and changed ALL the fluids 3 times before starting it. Believe it or not it ran great.

All of the damage is cosmetic with a couple minor exceptions

Here's what I can remember I will have to replace:
The rear box and lights
Driver Seat (it's now somewhere in the Gulf of Alaska

)
Passenger seat
Knee panels (with the driver seat)
Brake caliper and reservoir
Throttle housing
Handlebar
Headlight pod and light
Winch switch
Front storage box lid

If I had to completely replace all the assemblies above with new parts (including screws, bolts, etc.; much of which I would have) I think I can get it back in better than previous condition for around $2,500. I provide the labor of course.

That would be $4,500 for a machine that I know was meticulously maintained before the river incident. We are in the market for a machine and this one would meet every need.

What do you think? Is it worth it?

Stew

Diesel man 03 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-02-2011, 06:36 AM

With the prices of the new 500's I think you would have an acceptable deal knowing that it is a good running machine plus the knowledge that you know the history of the machine.

sportsman550 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-02-2011, 12:03 PM

I would go for it. Mainly because I like doing cosmetic work. Sounds good though. Especially because you know where it is coming from.

AKStew · #4 (**permalink**) 12-02-2011, 01:08 PM

Thanks for confirming what I was thinking. My wife isn't as convinced as I am but I think she will come around after the Christmas spending is forgotten. Luckily, they are not in a hurry to get rid of it and have committed to letting me have first dibs on the machine before they sell it to a local ATV salvage yard.

Stew

KICKER431 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-02-2011, 02:32 PM

Don't forget that you can almost all of those parts on e-bay in great shape without paying nearly as much as new. Let me know if you want me to give you the place I like for used parts on e-bay.

canderson · #6 (**permalink**) 12-02-2011, 02:53 PM

I would definately go with that sounds like a pretty good deal cosmetic stuff is easy as long as it runs good.

For parts when I rolled my quad I had to replace the front box and the headlight pod, I went to partshark.com and they beat everyones prices plus if you talk to them they will honor other places prices, at least they did for me.

AKStew · #7 (**permalink**) 12-02-2011, 04:32 PM

That's good info for parts. I will definitely compare what's on eBay to my local dealer. Shipping is usually the deciding factor. Here in Alaska there is no free shipping so we have to order parts on a price + shipping basis.

My Local dealer does everything he can to help. If you order through their web site instead of going into the store, the prices are about 5-10% less than their normal prices (which usually ends up at or near MSRP). He also doesn't charge for shipping if you pick them up in-store.

That probably doesn't sound very appealing to you guys in the lower 48 but we take what we can get.

Stew

AKStew · #8 (**permalink**) 12-02-2011, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canderson

I would definately go with that sounds like a pretty good deal cosmetic stuff is easy as long as it runs good.

For parts when I rolled my quad I had to replace the front box and the headlight pod, I went to partshark.com and they beat everyones prices plus if you talk to them they will honor other places prices, at least they did for me.

I just looked at the shipping on partshark.com and it looks pretty reasonable, especially for a single, high-dollar order of many large parts.

KICKER431 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-02-2011, 04:58 PM

AKStew: Check this guy out for parts. He certainly doesn't have everything you need but shipping is reasonable if you find more than a couple of things you can use. He really did right by me when I was rebuilding the front end in my wife's 2007 700. Watch the descriptions. Some of the machines he is parting out are bank repossessions, better than parting out insurance wrecks.
I got the lid for the front storage box and it was in great shape and didn't cost but half of what a new one would have.

http://stores.ebay.com/Rivergrange-P...id=p4340.l2563

AKStew · #10 (**permalink**) 02-18-2012, 06:04 PM

Well, I just sealed the deal on this machine today for $1,000!!!

We talked a couple weeks ago and he wanted to talk to his wife about it. I was expecting to pay around $2000. You can only imagine how my jaw dropped when he shot me that price.

The guy's a friend so I made sure he was really OK with it several times. He said he would rather help out a friend and didn't feel taken advantage of. The ATV salvage yard was only offering $500 for it and he didn't think he could find a buyer on Craigslist before he has to move overseas in a couple months.

I know it's mechanically perfect and there is only cosmetic damage, so worst case scenario is I put another $2000 into it. That will get it back to near showroom condition and the machine will easily be worth $4500-5000 in the Alaskan market, if not more.

I still can't believe it...

Stew