PRC Polaris Ranger Club LLC

czdaryle · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 7:23 pm Post subject: 400 vs 500 efi and cost

New to utv. Got 25 acres and looking to buy either the 400 or 500 efi. Rather go with 400 as I'm just using it around cottage trails and work. Is efi worth the extra 1000. Also should I expect to pay the full 8200 for the 400 or should I find a dealer that would go lower...thanks

fswan · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 8:43 pm Post subject:

Welcome to PRC!! Can't give you a comparison between the 400 and 500 but the price seems to be in the ball park. See if you can hold out for some extras or at least a discount on them. If your dealer doesn't offer any, give Chris a call at Ball Equipment ( http://www.prcforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=44883 ), he will!!
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ratmanz13 · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 12:41 am Post subject:

I've got the 400 and it's been pretty good to me, I kind of wish I had the 500 for easier starting in the cold weather.. but It seems like the 500's are a little more fussy when it comes to mud finding it's way into your fuel tank.... and more expensive to repair.
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2010 Ranger 400: Mile Marker 3500Lb winch, Moose RM4 Plow, Polaris Econo Roof and Windshield, Tommy-Topper Doors, EMP AFT-Bulkhead and window, AGM Battery, K&N Air Filter, Dual 50w Roof Lights, Multi-Point LED Interior lighting, and 10w LED back-up light.

sabercat · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 7:23 am Post subject:

I like the efi, whether a utv, snowmobile etc. I own both and the efi ones start right up, without having to do anything for the most part. I summer/winterize everything also. No more carbs for me, unless its on the vintage race sleds, LOL
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Bernie

RedMoose

cz, welcome to the forum! I see you are in Buffalo. I live in Eagle River, Alaska and used to fly into Buffalo frequently for FedEx before moving up to international routes. As I recall, Buffalo speaks COLD. For most things I think you would find the 400 a great machine, but I stepped up to the 500 EFI primarily for cold-weather starting reliability. I can already tell you after only having plowed the snow off the driveway four times this year that it is worth it, at least up here!

I also added a heat patch under the engine for extreme cold and bought a battery-minder. Many owners install a second battery for reliability, especially when running lights, winch and heater, but I haven't had any trouble with just the stock battery and the charger/minder.

My 2011 500 EFI with the 60" Polaris Glacier plow mounted.

Towing a spreader loaded with pea-gravel. The heated cab is so nice! Smile

Ron
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Eagle River, Alaska * 2011 Polaris Ranger 500 EFI
Polaris plexi windshield, soft cab, heater, 3500# winch, 60" Glacier steel plow and 66" Sno-Glide plow

czdaryle · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 7:51 am Post subject:

Thanks for input....yea my only issue is I don't need the 500cc or anything else on the 500 besides the efi, and 1000 is alot to spend for it...decisions decisions. Have till spring to decide

rednx · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:43 am Post subject:

I had the same thoughts in buying my 400. The 400 has more than enough power and I didn't need the gauges. It gets down to 0 here on a regular basis during the winter and it has already been down to the 20's this year. I find myself having to stand by it and adjusting the choke as it is warming up. I would still buy my 400 again today, but if I lived in a colder area I would consider getting a 500 EFI. Some days I think it would be nice just to start it and let it warm up by itself. Anything below 30 and mine is cold blooded!
Just my experience,
Brian

czdaryle · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 8:06 pm Post subject:

Yea...I would be putting it away for the winter as I would use it at my summer cottage...man I wish it was only 500 dif..make decision a lot easier

mike57 · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 8:29 pm Post subject:

Are you every going to be riding in high/low elevation? That is one of the main reasons we went with the 500 since the rides we go on have very large elevation differences. Plus... the gauges are nice to have even though they aren't a must have.

If yours will spend most of it's life at one elevation then you are probably ok with the 400.
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"In HIM... All Things Are Possible"

2012 Ranger Rzr XP 900
2011 Ranger 500 EFI.

RedMoose · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:24 pm Post subject: Put it away for winter??? ;)

cz, mine is mainly FOR winter, although I plan to use it a lot in the summer, too, just for different purposes. My wife was OK with the Ranger when I bought it, but now she is SOLD on it. She woke up last Sunday to 6 inches of snow, and me on a trip in Asia. In the past that would have meant an hour trudging behind the snow-blower to clear the driveway, and another 45 minutes to get cooled down, cleaned up and re-dressed for church. Well, this time she got up at her normal hour, got dressed and ready to go, and plowed the driveway in the heated cab of the Ranger. What a difference! No muss, no fuss, 20 minutes of work and her hair and makeup were still in place when she parked the Ranger and got in the car. Smile

Whichever Ranger you pick, you will find it a wonderful machine. Enjoy!

Ron
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Eagle River, Alaska * 2011 Polaris Ranger 500 EFI
Polaris plexi windshield, soft cab, heater, 3500# winch, 60" Glacier steel plow and 66" Sno-Glide plow

cball86 · Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:13 pm Post subject:

Power wise they are very close. The 400 is actually 455cc and if you were to drive them blindfolded I think you would have a hard time saying which machine you were on. The main focus you should have imo, when picking between the two is the want/need for efi and the gauge cluster. If you want to never have to worry about cold starts and the slight fuel economy advantage efi has to offer then its worth the money.

As someone who sells these things every day I would offer one important thing to think of.... "resale value". You will get a good chunk of that 1000 back when you go to trade it in some day Wink

As far as price goes, the mid size chassis has next to no mark up on the dealer side of things. a few hundred bucks off retail and you got a good deal.
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czdaryle · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 12:38 pm Post subject:

Thanks...I was thinking about the resale value as it looks like a lot of people won't even look at it if it is not efi, also I was thinking that right now I won't use it in the winter but who knows...maybe one day I would like to put a plow on it...decisions..and tax and freight and crap its getting up there

cball86 · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 1:23 pm Post subject:

czdaryle · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 7:27 pm Post subject:

No they haven't . I assumed that there was freight has the tav a bought and motorcycle was like an extra 500. If there is none I will definitely go with thE 500 ...thanks for the info

redF7sp · Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 8:18 pm Post subject:

I had a 400 for about 9 months and was able to tade it for a 500 for very little loss luckily. The 400 isn't bad but I think the 500 is better and more reliable after having it since June. My 400 was always a rough starter cold warm didnt seem to matter. My 500 starts right up runs a lot smoother, more responsive, and has more power. The biggest thing for me was reliability I use mine to help clean up branches in fields were we've removed the tree rows and I fouled the plug twice with all the idling. I also had a plugged the carburator. So far my 500 has been flawless. The speedo and fuel gauge are a nice addition when I check fields as we are road legal here. I paid 7900 for the 400 and 10% off accesories.

PRC Ranger Club forum A family friendly UTV forum for the Polaris side by side enthusiast, 2013 models, Ranger XP 900. The Polaris Ranger RZR XP 4 900 Forum on www.prcforum.com , 2013 Rangers, RZR,570, HD, 170, RZR-S, xp 900, rzr xp 4 900, crew, orv,side x side, SSW, off-road Information.

PRC Ranger Club forum A family friendly UTV forum for the Polaris side by side enthusiast, 2013 models, Ranger XP 900. The Polaris Ranger RZR XP 4 900 Forum on www.prcforum.com , 2013 Rangers, RZR,570, HD, 170, RZR-S, xp 900, rzr xp 4 900, crew, orv,side x side, SSW, off-road Information.