Ive never had a problem starting it, and last year we went on an ice fishing trip where the temp never got above 0. Sure, it take a little bit of time to warm up, but it has always started.I never liked the carbs because of starting them in the cold. Look on your local Craigslist for a quad with low hours/miles. Most of them will be EFI and HO but ask and look before you buy.
I believe the changes started in 2005. A 2005 thought 2010 should be the same.Just an FYI...the year spread you are looking at is post central Hilliard (a good thing), but also includes the old body style. New body style (integrated headlights) started in 2006. Not a big deal, but IMHO the 2006+ look a lot better.
A lot of craigslist posts don't specify EFI or carb...I try to look at the headlight pod pics and see if I can see a choke knob (sign of a carb).
Sean
Actually from what Ive seen, EFI machines tend to run a bit richer than the carbed machines. Ive also noticed with the EFI you have to be careful not to run them too short of intervals or they will foul plugs like crazy. And I dont know where you got the frequent tune up myth but it is absolutely not true. Not trying to pick a fight but that is just bad info you got.EFI runs cleaner and if you don't need to worry about doing tune ups every 5 seconds.
+1Actually from what Ive seen, EFI machines tend to run a bit richer than the carbed machines. Ive also noticed with the EFI you have to be careful not to run them too short of intervals or they will foul plugs like crazy. And I dont know where you got the frequent tune up myth but it is absolutely not true. Not trying to pick a fight but that is just bad info you got.EFI runs cleaner and if you don't need to worry about doing tune ups every 5 seconds.