$1500 isn't bad, you could offer $1300 or so. Parts are still available. Maybe Steve will chime in here. He has one and I think it runs pretty well. _________________ Custom Buggy http://www.buggynews.com/topic13417.html
Sahara 150cc Converted to a 350
Kasea AB150
Blade 50cc
Polaris Sportsman 700 Twin
First off, thanks to those who responded, your input was appreciated.
I went to look at it this afternoon. Before I get into what I saw, let me tell you my thinking. We have an ATV that Kelly Blue Book says is worth about $1200 retail for trading purposes. I was thinking that if their buggy was in about the same shape as our ATV, I might offer between $3-500 to trade.
When we got there, the buggy looked as though it had been run hard and put away wet, several times. It's primary operator had been a 13 year old kid who looked pretty wild. There was evidence that it had been rolled hard over on it's left side, and also on the right. The steering on the thing was horribly loose, and one front tire was pointed in a completely different direction that the other. Grab the front tire and shake it, and you could tell both ball joints were completely gone. I didn't drive it, but I doubt seriously you could keep it between the white lines on a paved road. It did start right up and seemed to idly smoothly. It ended up being bone stock. The rear tires were almost bald.
After considering, we loaded our atv back up and left. I did leave him my name and number, and told him to give us a call if he doesn't get any serious offers. If he does call, my offer will be he gives me $3-500, I'll come back and relook. The thing was that bad. I can get a brand new Carter or Baja 150 with warranty for just $500 more than he wants for that piece of junk.
I know most folks aren't interested in my opinion, but I had to rant a bit.
Sorry.
sounds like it is a real junker to me. I would think that it can't be worth $500.00 by the way you described it. The parts alone to get it back to driveable would cost:
All parts from carter online store.
Two spindles $53.00 for both.
two lower a-arms with ball joints $45.50
two upper a-arms with ball joints $33.90
some nylon buschings $10.72
two tierods with rodends $32.00
and on the outside chance that the rack is bad a total of $37.50
and if you buy the rear wheels from carter $113.90
After reading your comment, I went to the Carter site and looked at what was available. Didn't know that the front end had what looks to be wearable bushings. Maybe that's all it would need to tighten it up quite a bit. Would replacing the steering gear take out the slop, and/or is it adjustable?
Mute point, as he didn't want our ATV. The kid said he wanted one that he could shift gears on, and be big enough to ride double with his 9 yr old sister. He acted offended when we insisted on him wearing a helmet when he test rode it. I just shuddered at that comment. Don't rightly know as I'd be comfortable trading with him. If he calls me back, which I doubt, I'll offer him something around half and see what happens.
The kid sounds like a real winner. Maybe you will get lucky and he will call you back. Like you said offer him half of what he wants for it and then get the parts. If the rack is worn there is no adjustability in it. a new gear and a dogbone would be an easy replace. For the price of the front a-arms (lower and upper) with the ball joints in them I would get them as well. You could probably forget about the spindles for now they are probably fine. Buy the tires locally and you probably save alittle more.
I tell you what. The engine on this buggy is great. It's a high quality GY6 and has good power output.
The suspension in the front and the steering geometry do suck, however. Most of the karts with the wheels pushed way up front tend to plow their front ends in tight turns. You have to lean into the turn and apply power to break the rear tires free in the dirt in order to really get it to handle a tight turn for you. (don't do this on your front lawn... don't ask how I know) I still love the kart though, mainly because the engine is pretty sweetly setup. On a side note, my engine on my XTV appears to be ready to accept a big bore kit without machining. I haven't actually put it on, but the crank case is bored larger then the Chinese GY6's that I've seen.
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I still love the kart though, mainly because the engine is pretty sweetly setup. On a side note, my engine on my XTV appears to be ready to accept a big bore kit without machining. I haven't actually put it on, but the crank case is bored larger then the Chinese GY6's that I've seen.
