How to buy used atv/utv?

radman1 · Jan 17, 2009

I looking at buying a used utv's. I am looking at 07-08 models. I am starting to see quite few on the market. One deal is a 2009 Polaris ranger Xp bought by wife for a x-mass present and now they want it sold. Most sellers still owe a substantial sum on these units. What is the best way to buy one of these? I would pay cash. How am I sure the balance is paid off by the previous owner?

Will_C · Jan 17, 2009

I don't know if it is the best way, but I would ask for and get the name and contact info of the lender, and find out the balance, etc. I then would pay the balance off and get the lien release mailed to me. This might be difficult with a large lending company;I have done it with local banks before.
Will

radman1 · Jan 18, 2009

Will_C said:
I don't know if it is the best way, but I would ask for and get the name and contact info of the lender, and find out the balance, etc. I then would pay the balance off and get the lien release mailed to me. This might be difficult with a large lending company;I have done it with local banks before.
Will

I can see that working with a local bank or lending instituion and did that with a car a long time ago back in the late 70's. We went to the bank with my cashiers check. The seller gave the check to the bank to pay off the balance and the bank gave me the title. I don't know but suspect most of these are payoffs to the manufacture. I will not give them the money and expect them to payoff the balance. If they don't pay the balance, then the company will be after the UTV. I assume I would have no grounds to keep the UTV.

George2615 · Jan 18, 2009

Like Will said,

If you want to buy the 09 Xp, ask the sellers to contact their finance co. and explain they want to sell to the Xp to you. I'm sure the finance co. will accept a payoff directly from you and send the release to you. Any balance could be paid to the owners in cash by you.

Or, once in communication and agreement with the finance co. you could make out a certified check to both the owner and finance co. That way they'd have to send it to the finance co who would deposit and keep their share and return any balance to the previous owner.

Is their price that much lower than buying a new 09 Xp yourself?
Is the warranty transferrable to you as a used 09?

radman1 · Jan 18, 2009

The 09 XP is no longer for sale. Owner didn't elaborate. Didn't say it was sold, just no longer available. Am also looking at a 08 Kawasaki Teryx LE camo with 30 hours - purchased 6 months ago. Owned by 3 different guys. They got it for hunting and haven't used it much. That one is paid off. They are asking $9000 and lists for $11,849. I would guess they would go a little lower and has been listed for a couple of weeks. The new 09 Teryx has fuel injection and a few other differences but still has the same list price as the 08. I know the dealer they bought it from and they think they are doing you a favor selling it for list. They always have some inflated price for dealer prep etc.

Making the payment directly to the finance company or to owner/finance company is not a bad idea. Good thought about the warranty. I assumed it was transferrable like a car but will need to check. The warranty on the Teryx is probably about gone.

Don't know much about the Teryx but reviews seem to be good. Similar to the Yamaha Rhino overall. More hp but weighs more. Definitely not the Kawasaki Mule. It uses the same engine as the Brute Force, which has been a good engine.

vintovka · Jan 18, 2009

Not sure where you all are but may not be a good time to buy anything (especially big boy toys) at anything but giveaway prices. I'm in N. Cal and the vehicle consignment lots, equipment auctions and even thrift shops are opening up faster than you can say "where'd the car dealerships go?". Kinda sorry I bought some of my toys now.

whistlepig · Jan 18, 2009

radman1 said:
I looking at buying a used utv's. I am looking at 07-08 models. I am starting to see quite few on the market. One deal is a 2009 Polaris ranger Xp bought by wife for a x-mass present and now they want it sold. Most sellers still owe a substantial sum on these units. What is the best way to buy one of these? I would pay cash. How am I sure the balance is paid off by the previous owner?

If you buy used for sure get a title up front. I bought a used one once and asked for the title when I bought it. When the seller went for the title he found out it was hot. He was a good (super) guy and refunded my money. Police told him he had 24 hours to turn it in. He lost a $4,000 ATV.

Skyco · Jan 19, 2009

Not sure about other states but SC does not title ATV/UTV machines....makes it real dicey buying a used one.

I almost got burned a few years back, bought an off road motorcycle that was capable of being licensed. The original owner never licensed it as he used it offroad only. When I went to license it I couldn't because he bought it out of state and never paid the SC tax on it. Called him to ask him to pay the $300 tax, he offered to split it with me...told him no way. The state told me he'd have to refund the sale or pay the tax as what he did was illegal. Told him this and he got mad and said he was calling his lawyer, funny, but 30 minutes later he called back and said he would pay the tax.

Dargo · Jan 19, 2009

Indiana seems to be two fold. You can title an ATV and then you can title and license an ATV. To ride on any public ground you have to have a license on the ATV, at least that is my understanding after questioning the people at our BMV. Since I only ride on my own property, I don't ever bother with a license. However, since I do want to make certain of legal ownership, I insist on the C of O (if the previous owner never titled it he should have the original Certificate of Origin from the manufacturer) or a title. If the seller cannot produce one of those, I pass on the deal.

Many people don't ever even title ATV's because they don't want to pay the sales tax and title fees. I agree that it's an added expense, but not nearly as expensive as it could be if you one day have the police confiscate it as stolen goods.