Mid Size

[Russ Chastain]

The new 500s are not much smaller than the old 500s. I think they made the 700s and 800s bigger and called them "full size," and the so-called mid-size ones are pretty close to what used to be the standard size. Width is within a few inches and wheelbase is only 4" different from 2006 to 2012 500s.

But I saw on the specs that the bed payload rating of a 2012 500 is a mere 500 lbs, compared with 1000 lbs for my '06, so they might have cheapened them up a good bit for all I know.

[redmoose]

Originally Posted by gahunter

Recently (2010 or 2011) they started making the 500 in mid-size. These are the ones I'm wanting to know about and possibly buy. You're right about the Mexico thing though. I think Polaris went to Mexico and the company went south as well. Guess we have to live with it...seems like a sign of the times.

I read on another forum that only some of the Polaris machines are being assembled in Mexico, some in the USA, but all parts come from the same source. They also said that the VIN for units assembled in the USA begin with the digit "1" while those put together south of the border begin with a "3". I have not verified that information, and it doesn't seem to cover all VINs, but it might help you find your dream machine.

FYI, I am loving the capability and workmanship of my 2011 Ranger 500 EFI. I think it is the best blend of agility, power and capacity, and a little more economical, especially if you don't need a monster.

[duluthMN]

I just purchased a 2011 Polaris Ranger Crew 500 EFI and I will never again own anything else! I would also look at the Crew, with the one wheel turf mode it turns as well as any 2 seater on the market.

[bigdiggerman]

I have the 2012 midsize 500. But I'm like the other owner who posted, I only have 17 hours on mine since new so it is hard to tell about reliability. Sure works good, now. But the passenger seat warms up. Not a problem in the winter, but how bad will it be next summer?

[hoy]

Seems the two Ranger 500 models often get confused on this forum so I think a mid-sized category for the 500 EFI and 400 would be very helpful. I have personally read posts which I don't know if the poster is talking about a full sized 500 or a mid-sized 500 EFI model and it makes the posts very ambiguous and less valuable to this reader. As far as my 12 hour experience with my new 500 EFI is concerned, I give it a 10! I have had no issues with the vehicle at all. Last week we had a very heavy wet snow storm here and I've spent the last three days towing broken white pine limbs to a staging area with my Ranger so a tree maintenence company can then run them through a wood chipper. I hesitate to think what it would have cost me to have a crew round up all those heavy branches and dispose of them. So, in just a few weeks of ownership of my Ranger 500 EFI has saved me a bundle already. It's just the type of help I wanted from this Ranger and it delivered in Spades. As time goes by I'll probably add a snow plow, winch and a canvas top to make it an even more useful tool.

[Robclark65]

I have a 2011 500EFI and have almost 100hrs on it, not 1 problem as of yet. As far as the statement about all of the electronics making it more difficult, I must disagree, there is a diagnostic mode on the instrument panel that should make it easier for the home mechanic or the service dept at the dealer to quickly diagnose any problems. My SxS out performs the older 500's & 700's and so far can stay right beside the 800 ranger. It is a little harder to find aftermarket accs. but with a little research on the web I have been able to locate all the parts I was looking for to trick out my ride.

[redmoose]

My 2011 Ranger 500 EFI mid-size is an awesome tool. Canvas top was a budget decision, but it works well. Heater is a must in Alaska. My current plow is functional, a 60" multi-purpose steel blade, but I hope to get the 66" Sno-Glide delivered and mounted this week. Here are a few photos.

[OtisblkR1]

Back early when i was shopping i went into the dealer and test drove the 400 carb.. completely unimpressed with that machine

Test drove the 800 EFI PS and LOVED that machine..

Didnt want to spend the bucks and found a friend with a 09 700XP EFI.. I own that machine now, the 800 i test drove had just a tick (my opinion) more get up and go grunt.. but i saved close to $4,500 buying mine and other than getting some glitches taken care of im well satisfied with my machine.

would like to go for a ride in the EFI 500. just to see how they are.

[heltonkelly]

Absolutely no difference in the ride in the 400 and 500efi. The 500 efi only has 40 more cc , so not much difference in power. Rode them both twice before I bought the 400 camp. Couldn't justify paying almost 2 grand more for 40cc, fuel injection, and speedometer and odometer.

[FL911]

Bought mine just when they came out and all I can say is that it is a WORK HORSE period. The thing is better than having a truck on my place. Over a thousand miles, and not one issue with it and it will fit in my truck!

The bigger ones are nice but for what I needed and for the savings compaired to a "full size" this is an awesome machine.