I am casually in the market for a used honda 4 wheeler. I keep a look out on the FB marketplace in case I see a deal. I have noticed that a disproportionate number of them for sale are from the year 2003. Did something happen that year? A new model or something? Are they just at the end of their useful lifespan and folks are unloading them? Just a strange coincidence? Seems like 25-30 percent of listings are 2003.

I am not really interested in one that old, just found it odd that so many from 03 were for sale.

Was that the year the ES was released ?

Prior to the COVID supply disruptions, a new 2 wheel drive 420 rancher was around 4K and a new 4 wheel drive around 6k. Bought one for my son in 17 and will keep it as long as it runs. Like that it fits in the back of a pickup. It has lots of hard teenager miles on it and has never needed repairs other than new tires.
A friend on our lease has a 20 year old one that seems to go to the shop every year. Mostly electrical stuff or fuel system iirc.

Not sure why you want a used one but at some point fuel injected replaced the carburetor model.

Milwaukees Best Light said:

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Are they just at the end of their useful lifespan and folks are unloading them?

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I can't speak specifically to the 2003 model year, but in general I doubt they're at the end of their useful lives.

I've got a second-handed 1990 Honda TRX300FW that I got from my uncle 10 years ago when he got too sick and old to use it any more on his ranch.

He and his help worked that thing like a rented mule (including pulling a small trailer and logs) on his ranch before I ever got it. I cleaned it up, did some basic maintenance, put some tires on it, and am still using it today.

It won't win any beauty contents, but those Honda ATV's are tough SOB's.

We've got one around that year model. Can't remember exactly the year. It has the ES and it's given us a few problems, but nothing major. It's been a good machine for us but its main problem is we just don't use it as much as we should, so most issues are with the battery and other electrical things.

My 02 Rancher is a workhorse. I've had it 11 years and the only non maintenance item was a replacing the ignition coil, which is easy.

My family has used Hondas for ranch work (abuse) since the 90s and they all have been dependable. The ES models have a shifting solenoid that is known to have to be replaced, but that is easily avoidable by buying a standard shift machine.

My first and only 4wheeler was a Honda 420ES I bought in 2003. The only issue I had related to 4WD light/ engagement and when the guy finally figured out the issue it was minor and easily addressed. Am a confirmed Honda fan.

I guess 2003 is just a weird coincidence.

Allow me to hijack my own thread. When I look at used 4 wheelers, I immediately scratch anything that has a snorkel. I just can get the image of some drunk rednecks driving it through handlebar deep water and mud and I am not interested in buying one that has been through that on purpose. Am I overthinking this?

I've had 3 Hondas, all great machines! 2 new and one used, I would most definitely stay away from anything with aftermarket mud tires and snorkels!

Also make sure the rear end hasn't been packed with grease and the hubs aren't welded to the axles.

I'd look at the Foremans for ranch use, towing, etc.

Older Hondas are shaft driven not belt, and last a looong time

rab79 said:

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Also make sure the rear end hasn't been packed with grease and the hubs aren't welded to the axles.

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Yep. The one I got from my uncle had that done to it, and I'm not looking forward to the time when I have to fix it right. Apparently on the late '80s early '90s models the axle splines were thin and narrow and would strip out the hub.

But for now, it runs, and runs, and runs.

I have a friend with a knack for finding gently used Hondas, usually Ranchers and Foremans, to flip on Facebook. He generally leans toward manual shift and never buys anything with a snorkel. Seems to do well.

At they feedlots, they put 1000s of miles a year on their fourwheelers and all of them use honda Ranchers/Formans. I've seen a 3 year old rancher with 15k miles on it and it was still chugging along.

slight hijack of this thread. Have also been looking at used atv's. What is the deal most don't have title and bill of sale only. Are there any concerns there from a cash buyer perspective. Anything you should check into or just don't worry about it.

Don't worry about it, as long as you have a bill of sale with the VIN number on it, you will be good if it were to get stolen and they do not scratch off the VIN. If they do scratch it off, then you are SOL even if you were to have a title.

You have to have a title for registering for national forest use in a lot of states or for roadways where legal to do so. Many older models were never titled by the manufacturer. Therefore, to get one, you would have to get a bonded title.

Milwaukees Best Light said:

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I guess 2003 is just a weird coincidence.

Allow me to hijack my own thread. When I look at used 4 wheelers, I immediately scratch anything that has a snorkel. I just can get the image of some drunk rednecks driving it through handlebar deep water and mud and I am not interested in buying one that has been through that on purpose. Am I overthinking this?

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Nope or any modifications, besides baskets/racks.

It should look like it did when it rolled out the door of the dealer