Four Wheeler do you need 4x4 for on the lake?

[SapperACE]

I think this guys #1 goal was to get a machine that was easy on the pocket book. I'm sure if he had 6 grand to spend, he would get a 4x4 for sure.

I think he was just wondering if it would work at all for ice fishing, and I think it will work very good for the money.

[backlash 1]

I had a 1994 Bayou. It was a full time 4X4, and a great atv.

[Sonicrunch]

I think this guys #1 goal was to get a machine that was easy on the pocket book. I'm sure if he had 6 grand to spend, he would get a 4x4 for sure.

I think he was just wondering if it would work at all for ice fishing, and I think it will work very good for the money.

agreed. We are not talking Northern Minnesota lakes here.

[BobT]

You don't have to spend $6,000.00 to get into a 4x4 ATV.

[Little_Bones]

I have had a 1988 Kawasaki Bayou 2 wheel drive, 1994 Kawasaki Bayou 4X4, 1999 Kawasaki 400 4X4 Prairie, and prior to that 2 hondas. The kawasaki's have been great. The 2X4 with chains and a bag of sand and that thing went most places I have needed to go. You would not e disappointed with the 99' 4X4. My kawasaki's have been a little cold blooded meaing they need to warm up before you go, but they have never failed me. I have put many miles on them. The 1998 probably had 7000 + miles and still ran perfect. Chains make a big difference. If you cannot afford a 4X4 you must have chains to go in the deeper snow.

[coombia21]

my brother and i have both had kawasaki bayous and we couldnt keep them running long enough to get them off the trailer i sold mine and got a 1995 big bear with all time 4x4 and never regretted the switch and in my mind 4x4 is worth what ever it costs to upgrade you will kick yourself for not getting it

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Well, here is what I found....

1989 Kawasaki KLF300-C1 Bayou 300 4x4

1-Cylinders

4-Stroke

300cc

Suggested Retail Value $1275

The Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail Value is representative of dealers' asking prices and is the starting point for negotiation between a consumer and a dealer.

I'm thinking if it is in good shape I'll get it. Anyone know if this is a good 4 wheeler or not?

Here is what I got for a reply to my e-mail inqury

We are working on this one currently it has a new CV joint going in it, a new seat cover, checking out the brakes, and just checking the machine over from there. I think that we are going to start it some where around $1500 but if you have a reasonable offer I will consider something from there. Let me know

My reply

According to this 4 wheeler value

if the Machine is fully reconditioned and in excellent condition it would only be worth $1275. I'd have to take a look at it before I'd give you a bid, so if this is in the ball park I'd be willing to come down and look at it.

This salesman is a really dickweed I stopped in before I sent any of these e-mails asking if they had any older 4 wheelers with 4x4 (Specificly thinking of this wheeler) and he took me over to a model that was a few years old, told me they didn't have anything older when the web page showed they had about 10 4x4 wheelers that were older and avalible, but in good shape. Then tried to sell me the 2006 wheeler that I told him I didn't want at $2,000 more then the book value of it. I think he may be on crack. When he was showing me this 2006 wheeler there was a nice line of older used 4x4 wheelersnext to it. I really had to restrain from giving him a quick kick to the nut$

[gunmunky]

If you stay within the limits of the machine you get you will be just fine. Just make sure the machine is reliable.

[Nilsfisher]

I use a polaris xplorer 250 to pull my sled ice house. it has 4x4 but most of the time I leave it in 2x4. I have chains on it for any kind of driving on ice, 4x4 or not, I can go through almost as much snow in 2x4 with chains on as I can in 4x4 with no chains. mud/snow tires won't do much good. the stock tires with chains will be just fine. any machine will do for pulling a sled house, just get 4x4 and chains, you can go through a lot.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Salesman's e-mail

Again I am not quite sure where I am going to be at with this machine,like I said I am in the process of going through the machine and until I get completely through it I am not sure what it is going to be priced at. What I gave you is an idea of where I think it might be, plus for a nice used 4 wheel drive atv its hard to find a good older machine under $2000, if you have any other questions let me know. Thanks again.

My Reply

Well, the book value of something is the book value. If you'd be interested in selling the item for what the book value is, I'd be interested and I'd come take a look at it. If you're going to be over what book value is that's fine then I'm not interested. So, let me know where you're at. And we will continue from that point. Thanks.

Am I wrong, with the thought process that anything over paying blue book value on something is stupid and a screw job. Not only that, but how long does it take to go over a 4 wheeler to know what needs to be done?

[Dave S]

You're not out of line for requesting a better answer than what's been given. To me it sounds as though you're maybe getting the run-around and the dealership went into this machine deeper than they should have in the first place. Now they have to try to recoup the expense of their mistake.

Honestly, I'd walk. It doesn't sound like a place that you would want to do business with anyway.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

You're not out of line for requesting a better answer than what's been given. To me it sounds as though you're maybe getting the run-around and the dealership went into this machine deeper than they should have in the first place. Now they have to try to recoup the expense of their mistake.

Honestly, I'd walk. It doesn't sound like a place that you would want to do business with anyway.

I agree with you, but it's 5 blocks from my house so I kind of want to do biz there.

[Dave S]

Trust me when I say you're not obligated to do business locally. They may think so, but what you've experienced so far in customer service can only (and more than likely will) go down from here.

Convenience aside, there's other aspects to look at when purchasing a used machine.

[munchy71]

He's actually sugar coating it for ya. It's hard to find a nice older 4x4 ATV for under $4000. I think book values are usually way off on boats, ATV's & snowmobiles. According to book Values, my 1990 Lund Tyee is only worth around 2 grand.....

-Munchy

[Agronomist_at_IA]

He's actually sugar coating it for ya. It's hard to find a nice older 4x4 ATV for under $4000. I think book values are usually way off on boats, ATV's & snowmobiles. According to book Values, my 1990 Lund Tyee is only worth around 2 grand.....

-Munchy

Not buying that, they've got more used wheelers on the lot then new ones. Not to mention about half the used ones are 4x4. Keep in mind this wheeler is 20 years old, and you have no way in knowing how hard or how much this wheeler was used.

Also your used boat might be worth more in Iowa since there aren't many boats around Iowa, but if you go to Areas where there are a lot of lakes you'll be luckey to get book values. My brother in laws parents are from Michigan right on the great lake.Every Few years when he goes to visit them, he buys a nice used boat and pulls it back. Then marks it up $1,000 over his cost to get it here, Sells them everytime within 2 weeks.

[munchy71]

Originally Posted By: munchy71

He's actually sugar coating it for ya. It's hard to find a nice older 4x4 ATV for under $4000. I think book values are usually way off on boats, ATV's & snowmobiles. According to book Values, my 1990 Lund Tyee is only worth around 2 grand.....

-Munchy

Not buying that, they've got more used wheelers on the lot then new ones. Not to mention about half the used ones are 4x4. Keep in mind this wheeler is 20 years old, and you have no way in knowing how hard or how much this wheeler was used.

[trapperdirk]

I gotta agree with you there . I know quads etc. depreciate but I've never seen any at the low ball prices the book goes by . I wish I did .

There are some steals of deals out there but a rare find .

TD

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Quote:

Not selling it, so you don't have to buy it. Please let us know when you find a used quad for $3k or less.

LOL, just was told $1275 was acceptable. Going to take a look.

[Dave S]

be sure to check things like the tie-rod ends, a-arm bearings, axle and swingarm bearings and steering. For the price, you can expect to have some wear in these areas and parts that will need to be replaced soon after purchase.