So, I made the mistake of riding a friend's 4 wheeler with him one day while scouting our property. We hauled corn and put out a few cameras. I fell in love with the whole 4 wheeler concept. (I drive a powerwagon and don't like getting it all scratched up, driving around the camp, so I had been using an '85 4x4 jimmy to do my hunting.) Anway, I was so hooked, and not having any disposable cash, I traded the Jimmy for a 2001 Honda foreman. Now, I realize that I made a bad deal... this thing was screwed up after I got it home...It had been covered in mud (I know now that I DON"T want one that's been snorkeled!) I realize that I didn't know what I was doing. The guy sold the jimmy immediately and now I am still hooked on having a 4 wheeler.

So, I don't want to spend more than about 3,250$.... I will primarily use it for running to the hunting camp (12 mi round trip and putting out cameras and feeders).... I think the Honda recon's are a little small... I was leaning toward at least a 400 series with 4wd.... So, the real question is brand and mileage and years?

What say you, more experienced atv hunter guys? Is it better to get an 09 that looks immaculate and was garage kept, no rust, and little mileage or one that is a 15 with high mileage? Polaris seem to be cheaper... ? What should I be looking for and asking in my search (primarily Facebook Marketplace)? Any help or advice is appreciated.

Buy a Honda.

Buy a modern Honda.

I've always had Suzuki atvs. About a year ago I bought a Honda because they're always on sale. I wish I had paid more and bought another Suzuki.

I would save some money or finance and buy a new one.

Honda 420 rancher new always on sale I'd go with foot shift model instead of the es model

Take it from someone who uses a 4 wheeler as a tool on the rice farm. These things get used and abused everyday. They go thru things that 4 wheelers aren’t supposed to go thru. Especially when I put the tractor cleated tires and ride thru the dice fields getting the water out. We have tried them all and always went back to Honda. We own 7 hondas right now ranging from a 96 300 to a ‘14 420. The 2 300s that are at the camp had to have the frames changed because the grass roads over the years wore the frame out. I have a rancher 350 that I’m fixing to do a frame swap on. The engines and transmissions still work like the day we bought them. Honda is the only 4 wheelers that will hold up for us. Hell my everyday farm bike now is a 2003 foreman 450. The 2014 is my hunting and home work bike now. There will never be anything but Honda for my money.

Buy yourself a Honda.

Stay away from Polaris.

Am I understanding that you'll be riding a 4 wheeler on a public road for 12 miles each trip?

Times two staying away from Polaris

What’s wrong with the foreman you have now? They are great atvs! I’d just fix it and roll on!

Never buy a 4wheeler with a snorkel or any kind of tires other than stock.
Never buy a truck with a lift kit.
Never buy anything from anyone under 40 years old.

Sage advice Outback...

And never buy one that came from a SW Louisiana rice farm.

Some good advice right here.

of course the jew knows about something being on sale wait until AUStan sees this I do agree though base model foot shift 4x4 Honda rancher most dependable 4 wheeler around once you start getting electric shift and power steering thats just more money upfront for a repair later on.

From what people say it’s hard to go wrong with a Honda. I’m partial to Yamaha myself.

Marshmud, how much dang riding you have to do to wear out the frames?

OP - Is it so bad you’re giving it away?

Honda. Nuff said

Honda