Mid Size

[gahunter]

Where is the Mid-Size Ranger Forum located?

[jjluv]

We all meet here. As far as I know.

[RangerTippz]

post it anyway...lets see it!!!!

[gahunter]

I was just gonna ask if anyone has any experience with the new Mid Size Ranger 500. I would like to sell my 2005 500 and buy a new Mid-Size 500.

[Russ Chastain]

Aren't all 500s the same size?

[Russ Chastain]

FWIW, I would rather have a 2005 than a new Ranger. The new ones are overcomplicated and problematic IMO.

[gahunter]

Originally Posted by Russ Chastain

FWIW, I would rather have a 2005 than a new Ranger. The new ones are overcomplicated and problematic IMO.

How so? Explain please. By the way what does FWIW mean?

[Russ Chastain]

FWIW = for what it's worth.

I have a 2006 500 4x4. A friend has a 2001 500 4x4. Both are good machines, fairly simple to work on, and have very few issues.

By contrast, the new machines have problems with overheating, wiring harnesses, plastic seat pins that shear off, and (from what another friend saw when he looked at new ones and then bought a 2007 or 2008 Ranger) they have made the drive train a lot more complex towards the rear end, with more chances for the drive train to fail.

There are also more electronics, which I'm not very fond of. Problems with electronics are often hard to diagnose and costly to repair.

None are perfect. My '06 only has 33 hours on it and I've already had to change a ball joint. But the newer ones seem to have more design problems, and Polaris seems disinterested in correcting them.

Also, I have heard that they are made in Mexico since 2010.

JMO (just my opinion). Whatever you decide, I wish you good luck.

[redmoose]

Recently bought a 2011 500 EFI - it has a mid-sized chassis identical to the 400, but with the power of the 500 and electronic fuel injection for sure starts in all temperatures and smoother operation at all altitudes. It runs like a dream, but I'll have to let you know about durability later - I only have about five hours on it! I should be more knowledgeable very soon on cold-weather operations, plowing snow, and how well the heater works though, as I live in Eagle River, Alaska.

[gahunter]

Originally Posted by Russ Chastain

FWIW = for what it's worth.

I have a 2006 500 4x4. A friend has a 2001 500 4x4. Both are good machines, fairly simple to work on, and have very few issues.

By contrast, the new machines have problems with overheating, wiring harnesses, plastic seat pins that shear off, and (from what another friend saw when he looked at new ones and then bought a 2007 or 2008 Ranger) they have made the drive train a lot more complex towards the rear end, with more chances for the drive train to fail.

There are also more electronics, which I'm not very fond of. Problems with electronics are often hard to diagnose and costly to repair.

None are perfect. My '06 only has 33 hours on it and I've already had to change a ball joint. But the newer ones seem to have more design problems, and Polaris seems disinterested in correcting them.

Also, I have heard that they are made in Mexico since 2010.

JMO (just my opinion). Whatever you decide, I wish you good luck.

Again I believe you're talking about a 2001 and a 2006 which are the same size (full). 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.