Hi, I'm looking at a newer grizzly 550 EPS with less than 150 miles on it. The machine is super clean with the exception of a hit it took in the front end that I noticed. The price is about 1000- under book value and what I would expect it to go for. He didn't start at that price, he was looking for almost 6K which is what these go for in NE with low miles. I noticed the hit to the front of the frame and am wondering if you can tell me if I should stay away from this machine. If it kills my future resale value to has this hit... If it will affect ride quality or anything else. Could you please see the pics and let me know how much this scares you? It is the front end, right where the bumper would attach. I have 3 pics and also a pic of the microfiche attached so you can see the area we need to focus on. I'm stuck... I cant decide what to do about this machine, buy it or not, and I think it will sell quick, especially to someone who doesn't pick up on this. Thoughts? Thanks!!!
Frame damage, should I buy it?
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It's hard to tell how crooked things are from those photos, but I can tell you that it has been welded and then painted by someone other than Yamaha. Look at all of that spatter. If it drives straight and the pieces were repaired well, then it's probably good to go. As for resale value, well, that all depends on if the buyer notices, or you tell them. This is most likely going to come down to how comfortable you are with a machine that has had this damage, and your honesty with potential buyers if you resell it. If it is worrying you enough to take and post these pictures and questions, it seems like this might not sit well with you.
Some would say, that's what they are made for - not me
Thanks for the response. I went to see the machine two days ago. The seller said he was taking his wife to buy a machine and saw a new slate gray 700 and had to have it. That's why this camo 550 hunter edition with 125 miles was for sale. I saw the hit and pointed it out. He said he hadn't noticed it. He pried the skid plate out of the frame as it was pushed up against it. I couldn't buy the machine so I left. After a couple of days of thinking about it, I thought I might be overreacting as many people would say "that's what these are made for, banging around in the woods!" But that's not my style - frame damage - even small damage. I went back tonight and he said he took a couple of minutes and straightened it out with plyers. So you think he hit it with paint too? I didn't notice the other day if there was paint missing or not, I don't think there was any missing. He had not played with it yet as of the other day. Anyway, either 1) he caused the damage and decided to get out of the machine asap and replaced it with the 2018 700. He didn't think a buyer would notice so didn't disclose it and then I noticed it and was the first one to see the machine so he decided he better clean it up. Or 2) He didn't even notice the issue and bought a new machine. He listed this one and when I pointed it out, he really was surprised and cleaned it up. I hate to admit this .... but .... after the first time I saw it and passed on it two days ago, I sent an email from another address and asked if the machine had any damage and if anyone had come to see it yet. He replied "nope, no damage and no one has come yet, just a few no shows". Yet I had already been by a day before and pointed out the damage to him and he saw it for himself. I should stay away from this machine... agreed? Just having trouble accepting it because Grizzlys are so hard to come by with low miles... Thanks for listening.
Thanks for the response. I went to see the machine two days ago. The seller said he was taking his wife to buy a machine and saw a new slate gray 700 and had to have it. That's why this camo 550 hunter edition with 125 miles was for sale. I saw the hit and pointed it out. He said he hadn't noticed it. He pried the skid plate out of the frame as it was pushed up against it. I couldn't buy the machine so I left. After a couple of days of thinking about it, I thought I might be overreacting as many people would say "that's what these are made for, banging around in the woods!" But that's not my style - frame damage - even small damage. I went back tonight and he said he took a couple of minutes and straightened it out with plyers. So you think he hit it with paint too? I didn't notice the other day if there was paint missing or not, I don't think there was any missing. He had not played with it yet as of the other day. Anyway, either 1) he caused the damage and decided to get out of the machine asap and replaced it with the 2018 700. He didn't think a buyer would notice so didn't disclose it and then I noticed it and was the first one to see the machine so he decided he better clean it up. Or 2) He didn't even notice the issue and bought a new machine. He listed this one and when I pointed it out, he really was surprised and cleaned it up. I hate to admit this .... but .... after the first time I saw it and passed on it two days ago, I sent an email from another address and asked if the machine had any damage and if anyone had come to see it yet. He replied "nope, no damage and no one has come yet, just a few no shows". Yet I had already been by a day before and pointed out the damage to him and he saw it for himself. I should stay away from this machine... agreed? Just having trouble accepting it because Grizzlys are so hard to come by with low miles... Thanks for listening.
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OK, so you were suspicious enough to independently suspect and verify that the guy is a liar, and you know he's the sort to grab some pliers and bend something back and say "all good, like it never happened" or something like that.
I circled some stuff in your picture below. I'm no expert mechanic or welder, but I've spent a lot of time in the garage with a buddy welding crap with a MIG welder and then slapping some black Rustoleum over it, and that its exactly what it looks like. Factory welds don't look like that.
Trust me, I know what it feels like to be drunk with desire over a machine, and at 1000 below blue book it seems like such a good buy other than this one small detail. I've been there more times than I care to admit. So here I am going to be your disinterested voice of reason. Walk away. Keep looking. Find that sweet deal that doesn't smell like something's a little rotten.
I circled some stuff in your picture below. I'm no expert mechanic or welder, but I've spent a lot of time in the garage with a buddy welding crap with a MIG welder and then slapping some black Rustoleum over it, and that its exactly what it looks like. Factory welds don't look like that.
Trust me, I know what it feels like to be drunk with desire over a machine, and at 1000 below blue book it seems like such a good buy other than this one small detail. I've been there more times than I care to admit. So here I am going to be your disinterested voice of reason. Walk away. Keep looking. Find that sweet deal that doesn't smell like something's a little rotten.
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Here are some pics I just took of my 2015 700. I apologize for how dirty it is, I am not meticulous at cleaning my machines and it's a hard to reach area behind my winch and skid plate. And it's dark out right now so the camera flash is highlighting the dirt. But you can see the smoothness of the welds and frame, no little spherical bumps. The third pic is a trailer hitch receiver that my buddy and I took a MIG welder to after I trashed it. When we were done welding we had it sandblasted and powder coated which dramatically improved its appearance, but nothing gets rid of that amateur welding spatter without a lot of effort.
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Thanks for taking the time to respond as well as to take and post some pics. I am so freaking glad it is not in my garage right now. I was close to breaking down and taking the machine home tonight because it is so pretty otherwise and I had the cash in my hand. I'm very relieved that that I held off because I would be sick with dread and unable to sleep right now if I bought it. I know that's stupid and it's just a quad... but little things worry me and I'd already be sick to my stomach and trying to figure out if there was any way possible to get my money back. I'll go through threads tomorrow to get an understand of what is realistic as far as miles are concerned. I haven't found a grizzly because I cant afford anything with 500 or less miles on it and that's what I want. But out of curiosity, how many miles and hours are these machines supposed to go, under normal circumstances? 3000, 4000, 10000? How many miles and hours is still considered young on a grizz / Kodiak? Thanks again!
Thanks for taking the time to respond as well as to take and post some pics. I am so freaking glad it is not in my garage right now. I was close to breaking down and taking the machine home tonight because it is so pretty otherwise and I had the cash in my hand. I'm very relieved that that I held off because I would be sick with dread and unable to sleep right now if I bought it. I know that's stupid and it's just a quad... but little things worry me and I'd already be sick to my stomach and trying to figure out if there was any way possible to get my money back. I'll go through threads tomorrow to get an understand of what is realistic as far as miles are concerned. I haven't found a grizzly because I cant afford anything with 500 or less miles on it and that's what I want. But out of curiosity, how many miles and hours are these machines supposed to go, under normal circumstances? 3000, 4000, 10000? How many miles and hours is still considered young on a grizz / Kodiak? Thanks again!
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You're welcome. Maybe it would have been OK, but with the facts we have, it just smells funny to me.
Mileage can be wildly different depending on how the machine was used. If used on a farm, it might have low miles but lots of engine hours. If driven for fun on service roads, it might have a lot of miles with not much actual wear. If used on rough mountain trails, the miles and hours might be so-so, but with lots of plastic and superficial frame damage, but a lot of wear on the suspension components. I took a new Grizzly to Moab and put 500 miles on it in a week.
Yes, these things are built for banging around in the woods and no machine is going to stay new for long if you are really getting some usage out of it, but putting your own dents and scratches on it and knowing its history instead of living with someone else's damage is worth the extra bucks.
In general, and this is VERY generalized, less than 500 miles for a machine a couple years old is great and more than 5000 regardless of age is a heavily used machine. With good maintenance, these things will go for many, many thousands of miles. With any vehicle, the older it is and the more miles/hours it has, the more work it's going to need to keep going.
Just keep watching the ads and dealers and you'll find the one that works well for you. Maybe you'll pay a little more for it. Maybe do a bit of financing at a dealer. But it will be worth it to get a good one.
Mileage can be wildly different depending on how the machine was used. If used on a farm, it might have low miles but lots of engine hours. If driven for fun on service roads, it might have a lot of miles with not much actual wear. If used on rough mountain trails, the miles and hours might be so-so, but with lots of plastic and superficial frame damage, but a lot of wear on the suspension components. I took a new Grizzly to Moab and put 500 miles on it in a week.
Yes, these things are built for banging around in the woods and no machine is going to stay new for long if you are really getting some usage out of it, but putting your own dents and scratches on it and knowing its history instead of living with someone else's damage is worth the extra bucks.
In general, and this is VERY generalized, less than 500 miles for a machine a couple years old is great and more than 5000 regardless of age is a heavily used machine. With good maintenance, these things will go for many, many thousands of miles. With any vehicle, the older it is and the more miles/hours it has, the more work it's going to need to keep going.
Just keep watching the ads and dealers and you'll find the one that works well for you. Maybe you'll pay a little more for it. Maybe do a bit of financing at a dealer. But it will be worth it to get a good one.
If the machine needs a frame replacement I would put that expense with parts and labor at $3,500 to $4,500
If anything that is the reduction in price you should be asking from the seller. Good thing you noticed the damage since the seller was not willing to disclose it.
First time I misread your post and I thought he was asking $1,000 for it lol....And I said to myself "hm, it may be worth the money to somebody who's handy with tools".
If anything that is the reduction in price you should be asking from the seller. Good thing you noticed the damage since the seller was not willing to disclose it.
First time I misread your post and I thought he was asking $1,000 for it lol....And I said to myself "hm, it may be worth the money to somebody who's handy with tools".
Glad you exposed the dishonesty of that seller, he was trying a fast one on you. I dislike such folks.
When I sold my very well used 660 at 3,000 miles after 13 years, I divulged everything I could think of before anyone came to the house, in fact the buyer on the day found the 4 wheel switch decided to stop working and I told him it was off the market, he still wanted it and in consideration dropped the price. Looking back, I really did not want to sell a defective part on the machine, however the buyer told me " it is going to a good home". who could say no to that
You will find one that speaks to you sooner or later. J
When I sold my very well used 660 at 3,000 miles after 13 years, I divulged everything I could think of before anyone came to the house, in fact the buyer on the day found the 4 wheel switch decided to stop working and I told him it was off the market, he still wanted it and in consideration dropped the price. Looking back, I really did not want to sell a defective part on the machine, however the buyer told me " it is going to a good home". who could say no to that
You will find one that speaks to you sooner or later. J
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Spray the area first with splatter shield, splatter will wipe right off with a wire brush after that :smile2:
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Spray the area first with splatter shield, splatter will wipe right off with a wire brush after that![]()
Seriously, that product exists? Gonna have to look into that. See? Amateurs!
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My buying philosophy is similar to yours. Around 500 or less is where I like to be. My thinking there is some poor sap “most likely” bought the thing new, lost interest or life happened and I get a smoking deal on it when he just broke it in for me. That said, I buy and sell some. I wouldn’t and don’t hesitate for a second to buy a clean Griz with around 1,000 miles at the right price. Doing so will open up some more options for you. 1,000 miles is nothing on these machines and that’s my upper limit for buying / selling only because I’ve found that’s what folks want and I don’t have time to do a whole lot to them. You’ll get years of use out of a machine with ~1,000 miles. We have members who have put put 15,000 miles on their machines.
You obviously have a pretty good idea of things to look for in a used machine. Keep doing so. When I buy, I might spend 20 or 30 minutes checking one over and test driving. I have the owner show me the air intake also. If they don’t know how to get the air filter housing off, that’s a clue of how the machine was maintained if they claim to have done maintenance themselves.
Keep looking, be patient and the right machine will find you.
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I bought a 2007 Grizzly 700 used in 2008 or 2009, can't remember for sure. Low miles. The previous owner didn't even know where the air filter was! But I opened it up and the filter wasn't too bad, and when I pulled it off the intake was clean underneath, and the oil looked good so I picked it up anyway. That was a great machine for us. All things are negotiable and subject to your judgement. Everything else looked great and as far as I could tell it was good. I took a gamble and it paid off.
Thanks everyone, appreciate the effort. Last question... I?m on my phone so I can check the forums right now but will search later on. But is there a thread on values and what to expect to pay in what regions? I know nada and kbb have values, just wondering if there is anything more to go buy on this site? Thanks!!!!!
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What part of the world are you from, we can help you find one.
And, once I determine a person is not fully disclosing something, deal is off. I drove six hours one way to look at a Grizzly last week, low hours, low miles, driven by an old man, Old man must have played hard, did not even start it, after inspection with a flash light, just said thanks but going to pass.
And, once I determine a person is not fully disclosing something, deal is off. I drove six hours one way to look at a Grizzly last week, low hours, low miles, driven by an old man, Old man must have played hard, did not even start it, after inspection with a flash light, just said thanks but going to pass.
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Nada and kbb are regional and assume good to excellent condition for the age of the machine, I believe. So when I’m buying, I adjust the price for the condition of the base machine and then add 1/2 value for any add ons. Nada and kbb can vary greatly so sometimes you have to find a middle ground between the two.
Yep. I’ve been burned on two separate trips to tx. Machines were not what they said they were. Pics posted were of everything that was right about the machines and none of what was wrong. On long distance deals, I request A LOT of pics- front and rear, sides, each corner, top, bottom, axles, etc. Then based on those pics I may request more close-ups of whatever concerns I may have. If they’re not willing to jump through my hoops, I’m not willing to make the trip and risk returning home with an empty trailer. I also try to have a general pre-inspection price negotiated with the understanding that anything else discovered will affect my offer.
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