ATV?

I am looking for some feedback on a 2003 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO. I would like to use it for plowing our driveway, pulling my shack, and some trail riding. Any positives or negatives on this machine would be great. If you think that there are any other options that I should look at, please feel free to shout them out.

Thanks,

FDR

Don’t expect an ATV to be the perfect ice fishing machine, deep snow is a bad thing. I have a Polaris 425 expedition, and it’s been pretty much flawless, though it’s a bit of a different creature than the 500 sportsman. Overall I like the sportmans (and my expedition) a lot, comfortable and I think it has a pretty good ride, no regrets here.

FDR, it will do All of the above. I had a 500 Sportsman, not the HO, and I plowed like nobodys business. After that one got totaled (bottom of the frozen lake ) I bought a 700 Sportsman. I thought it would be so much easier to plow, but there really is no difference… other than the price tag I say go for it !!! Make sure the machine was maintained, and if you don’t know, a quick run through the shop should give piece of mind

big G

Oh yes i had 03 600 and a 03 400 the 600 after about 48 hours the 4 x 4 went out it only took 4 trips to the store and 3 mounths but they finally fixed it then i sold it. As for 400 in about 200 miles the clutches wore out they were under warrenty.Sold that to. My experience with any poloris sleds & 4 wheelers has not been good. My buddy has a 03 600 a alot better luck ???????????? At least they fix them

I run the atp 500. Plow, ride, pull…. ’04… not a speck of trouble…

Would 5,593 miles be considered high miles for a ATV that is only 5 years old?

FDR

I think that is high miles.

Thats real high compared to others I’ve been looking at.

Look on Craigslist. There are usually many to choose from. I just bought an ’05 Polaris sportsman 400 with a new winch and plow with 580 miles on it for $3500. It pushes alot of snow!!!

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Would 5,593 miles be considered high miles for a ATV that is only 5 years old?

FDR

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I wouldn’t touch a used 4-Wheeler with more than 1500 miles and I would only buy a used Wheeler if I new the prior owner. Easier to accept fixing stuff if you know the machine was taken care of.

I have a Polaris 06 model X2 with the 500HO EFI engine. I don’t think they made EFI in them back in ’03 but this one sure starts, runs, drives nice. I have a 52 inch plow on it and there is absolutely NO shortage of power. So far no belt issues, and no other issues as well. It starts in 2 flops, Winter or Summer, no matter how cold it is outside. I’m thinking of putting tracks on it for pulling my portable Fish Trap out onto the ice.

I run an 02′ 500 HO and I love it! It has all the power in the world for plowing! Always run it in Low Range for plowing, it will keep the clutches from wearing out. I have a 60″ plow on mine and it will push a “Pile” of snow! I think that 5300 miles is a ton though, I’d stay away from any wheeler with those miles, unless the seller is giving it away!

5593 is ALOT of miles on an ATV in my opinion. For reference, I use mine for hunting, fishing and plowing, dinking around up north, no “trail” riding. Mine is an 06 and I don’t even have a 1000 miles yet. I put on about 300 a year. I guess it really depends on maintenance. I have seen wheelers with over 10,000 miles on them, they don’t look any rougher than mine. They are used at a base camp, at this place in canada. Anyone and everyone rides them, mostly along an old railroad bed, from lake to lake. I know the outfitter puts them in the shop at the end of the season, so they are maintained properly. It’s like with anything, take care of it and it will take care of you

big G