polaris sportsman 500 vs 550

thepopeis1 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-26-2010, 01:54 PM

so I'm looking to buy a new atv. my local dealer has a 2010 sportsman 500 HO for $5,300 and a 2010 sportsman 550 for $6,200. are these good prices? I was going to try to talk them down some or ask for a free winch. I almost bought a 800 last year at the same dealership but they would not come down $200 so I walked away. is that normal for a dealer to not come off the price like that?

I know the 550 has some sort of fancy suspension. (any one know if its really that much better) also the 550 has efi witch will come in handy for Minnesota winters. also the 550 has adc witch I dont know if I will use. I'm thinking about going back to the dealer and test driving a 550 to see if I can feel the difference in the suspension, but its just in the parking lot so idk. I think it would have to some suspension to be worth the extra money.

the 500 ho is not available in efi 2009 was the last year. I test drove the 500 and it felt really good. Im leaning toward this one mostly because of the cheaper price.

I plan I using the atv for trail riding and ice fishing

any happy or unhappy 550 or 500 owners out there

any helpful hints on negotiating with the dealer

any input is appreciated. Thank you for your time

xp74 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-26-2010, 02:48 PM

$6200 is a good price for the 550 the msrp is $7200 I just bought one about a month ago the stealer wanted $7200+500 is dealer charges but got them down to 6600. The 550 is a nice riding machine I've only had it a month and have put on 450 miles in about 20 hrs of riding and no problems yet.

Smoothbassman · #3 (**permalink**) 05-26-2010, 03:01 PM

You need to ride the XP before you decide. The ride is WAY smoother and they have a bit more power as well over the 500 HO. Plus the new steering geometry gives you less feedback even without EPS.

The seat is way more comfortable for trail rides as well.

Demand still out weighs supply at this moment so cutting deals will be tougher. They only have two units available at my local dealer. You want a color they don't have is a couple of weeks before you can get one. So you have to pay MSRP if you want to play at this point.

chopper89 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-26-2010, 03:07 PM

your on the right track test drive them both and see what you like. Im thinking the 550 will surprise you.

SLxp550 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-26-2010, 04:33 PM

XP XP XP XP XP XP XP XP

crimson850 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-26-2010, 04:48 PM

Ok. First of all that is a fair price although I dont think it is a bargain by any means. It is normal for dealers to not come off on there price. I asked my dealer twice about cash discount. He said the price on the tag is the price you pay. I called him one day and said look, If i come down there is 15 minutes with nothing but 100 dollar bills will you take 9,000 for the 2010 850 XP eps LE. He actually beat that price by a few hundred and we agreed on 9100 with a deluxe brushguard. I love the machine and will say that you will be sorry if you get the 500. Not because it is a bad machine by any means but because the XP is just a completey diffrent animal and it is truly the best ATV in its class With can am right behind it. I would consider power steering but if you just dont want to get it, it is still a smooth steering machine.

thepopeis1 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-27-2010, 06:13 PM

so I drove a 850xp (did not have a 550 with out eps out of the crate) I could not tell a difference as for as suspension (hard to tell since I was in the parking lot). the only difference that I could feel is that the 850 wanted to go strait more and it seamed to take more force to turn the wheel.

really the only thing that stood out about the xp is when I pushed down on the right front of the xp and the 500. the xp seamed to start light and get harder vs the 500 seamed to go right down.

I'm leaning toward the 550 just because I like to have top of the line and u guys seam to recommend it, but I just dont know if its worth the extra money

I also drove a 550 with eps and man that was sweet. I used to think power steering was kinda useless since atvs where so light and man was I wrong. to bad its just more than I want to pay.

rugnuts · #8 (**permalink**) 05-28-2010, 03:51 AM

you wont be dissapointed with the 550

slimmer · #9 (**permalink**) 05-28-2010, 01:55 PM

I bought a 500ho. Test drove the 550 and thought it was a nice bike but was not over impressed. Never test drove the 500 but had a friend who has one and he loved it. Got my 500 home and first spin on it loved it. They say the 500 has 36hp and the 550 has 42 but i feel the 500 has a little more jam. Maybe clutched better? 1000 bucks cheaper and i could use my 12 mudders on the 500 rims i thought it was a better deal for me.