Buy a 1997?

[garrett1812]

A shop nearby is offering a 1997 Sportsman 500 with 450 hours/291 miles for $2500. Is this a good buy? I really do not want to buy a project. Being so old makes me a bit nervous, but with low miles it sounds promising? I don't have $8k to throw at a new machine right now, so I am curious if people think this would be a good buy.

[antoniodef]

If it is clean and they let you drive it and check it all out I would buy it.

Make sure the four wheel drive works. If it doesn't and you are mechanically inclined you can fix it, but it could get pricey.

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[garrett1812]

Might be a dumb question, but how does one test the four wheel drive? I am assuming I can only test it in the parking lot of the shop.

[antoniodef]

Lift it up with a jack. The shop selling it should have one. Make sure the 4wd is on and give it a little throttle. All four tires should turn.

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[factionfx]

I have 8 hours and 75 miles on my new machine. If it has 450 miles and 291 miles, it has probably seen some hard times in the mud.

[4getful2]

I don't quite understand the hours/miles . I'd be a bit scepticle of that,unless grandpa drove it down his lane to get the mail or some wood and left it run ,while loading, OR the speedometer has been broken and the miles aren't right . 2500-4000 miles would more believeable.
You can look on kelley blue book and see about what it's worth,i go by trade-in value,since you are buying it outright.
You can jack up the back wheels off the ground and see if the front wheels are pulling,check the front inside yokes on the differential for play,if it's excessive,they are kinda costly to replace.
Good luck

[garrett1812]

Originally Posted by antoniodef

Lift it up with a jack. The shop selling it should have one. Make sure the 4wd is on and give it a little throttle. All four tires should turn.

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Duh..don't know why I didn't think of that. Thanks.

[polman500]

With 450 hours it should have around 3-4000 miles. If its in excellent condition it should be worth somewhere between $1200 - $2000 retail according to what has been done to it and any extras like new tires, winch, hand warmers and guards, rack extenders, etc.

[garrett1812]

I do not think it has much done to it. If I could get it for $1200 that would be a worthwhile try, I think.

For the hours/miles. The hour counter will still count even when the engine is idiling, correct? If so a lot of idiling time could explain the high hours/miles ratio.

[garrett1812]

I got some more info on the machine today. It may be 291 miles/450 hours or 450 miles/291 hours. I heard both from two different people. The atv was owned by one of the shop managers or owners, and was used for mudding. Mud tires are installed - how would those do on wooded trails? Is mudding really abusive on ATVs?