Looking to get my first Argo

[Laird]

If you have decided on and purchased the used one, that's great. No matter how good shape it is in, you will probably want to personalize it. Which could be adjusting the steering to total rebuilds. Whenever I buy something of this nature, I go in thinking, if I don't like it I can sell it. I figure if I bought it, someone else will want it. I bought my 91 for 4000 with tracks. I replaced the tires, added a winch (totally necessary, or so I told my wife ) cause if you are by yourself and get stuck. .....swapped out the engine and trying to figure out a different steering system, like the newer ones with the handle bar steering. The only time it really gets used is in deer season. And bow season starts Oct 1. Bought a new Excalibur ,old one was 20 plus. Anyway, have fun with whatever you buy. I too, sometimes, no, more times have more fun fixing than riding. And I enjoy riding.

[Rj1]

I called the guy selling last night to tell him I was going to but it and I would bring his money over the next day. That's when the guy told me he was sorry but he just sold it even after saying he would hold it for a few days. I can't be mad at him he was selling it and the person that bought it came with cash but I wish he gave me a call first. So now my mind is diffenitly made up on a new Frontier 6x6 because the only used ones I see are not close to me do I would not be able to check them out and I won't buy any kinda ATV used unless I first look at it . I called a dealer in N.J and they have them starting at 8999. Dollars but then they won't another 800 for some kind of freight chart and another 250 for some other charge plus tax so now I'm looking at around 11 thousand I think I'm going to try to shop around a little for a lower price but the thing is there's really no dealers near me the N.J is the closest and that's over 1 hundred miles from me.

[plott hound]

you will be much happier with a new argo.i went through 2 old codgers untill bought a newer one.but remember new or old they all require a lot of maintinence.

[Rj1]

Your probably right about being happier with a new one but I liked that the used one was an 8x8 and had more room plus came with tracks that were in good shape. A lot of people tell me I don't need the tracks but for where I want to go ridding I don't think I would chance it without tracks there a couple of trails I go to a lot of go around a lot that I've never seen an ATV OR Sides Side get through they always have to be pulled out but the guy I ran into a while back in the Argo6x6 with tracks went tight through .

[Grizzly10]

Yeah your gonna pay now for letting the old one go. Base 6x6 with tracks and a winch your gonna be over 14k. That’s if you install winch yourself. Good luck. I couldnt get them to budge on freight charge.

[Rj1]

What I really want to know is what in the HELL is the freight charge? And the other 250 dollar charge? I bought 2 of my ATV new and both time was able to get them down from there advertise price . today I talked to 2 different dealers and neither would come down plus they both had the freight charge and the other charge.

[Grizzly10]

Argo the company is a rip off in my opinion. The prices of all their stuff , accessories etc is just elevated. I paid $799 freight and $199 prep. I finnagled %10 off accessories and free installation. I had to fight for it. Wasn’t easy. Then the windshield was back ordered so dealer offered to deliver machine and pick it back up to install windshield when it came in. I said just hold machine until windshield comes in and deliver then. That took over a month. Then he delivered it which saved me the long drive. Good people in Jersey. I’m not sure with pandemic how they will be as far as flexibility. I’m finding it’s the worst time to by anything now. Oh and the tracks are $300 shipping to a freight address or $400 residential. It never ends. These Argos have no aftermarket which blows. I was going to get 700 scout at first and that quickly rose over 20k outfittted like mine. No regrets with the 600 does fine. More power is definitely better but the 600 works where we live. You will have a blast with any Argo period.

[Laird]

Every body needs to realize that these machines are made in Canada and anything that heavy and shipped by truck is going to cost money. Is it a ripoff? Ask the truck driver trying to make a decent living. Ask the dispatch guys who set up the trucks. Ask the truck owners who maintain the trucks and pay for the fuel. Is there duty charges? Shouldn't be but with the new agreement between the countries maybe there is. A lot of factors. What is the dealer paying for the machine, how much does it cost the dealer to prep the machine. Big dealers make money on volume, probably carry other lines, smaller dealers can't afford the cost of shipping and handling, pay decent wages, all the overhead to run a business and give the customer that deal we want. What is the profit margin for Argo itself. They, like any business, are there to turn a profit. Are they overpriced? I think they are but so are new sleds, new atvs, etc especially up here in the frozen north. With due diligence and proper maintenance these machines last for many years. Not trying to defend Argo, the dealers, or anyone. Just have to put yourself in their shoes for a couple of minutes. I can't afford a new one, many of us can't. Those who can, be thankful you can. Nobody says you have to buy that make or model of anything. But if you choose the Argo I guess all the crap then comes with it. Like I tell my wife, don't worry, it's only money. Haha. Still can't afford a new one.

[Rj1]

I have no problem with them making a buck but when I see one on EBay new and they have it at 8999.00 that's what I want to pay plus the tax. But then you contact them and the price just keeps going up.. When they advertise them I wish they would just put the total price in the ad
.

[Rj1]

I did see a 2000 Argo Vangaurd 6x6 on Craigslist but it's way out of my area so I would not be able to check it out in person. The price on it was good but again what these things go through I would like to test it out first and check the bearings and chains on it. Plus if I did get it I would have to have it shipped which I really don't mind I've done that before but I have never bought a used ATV until I checked it out first. I know they stopped the Vangaurd model does are they just like the Frontier model? I have a friend that I served with that lives about 50 miles from where this is and he's a good mechanic he really knows his stuff so I was thinking of asking him to check or out for me I trust him. The one thing holding me back is they stopped the Vangaurd so getting parts might be hard and I haven't read or seen to much on that model. Does anyone know about them ?My wife is now asking for my phone because there getting ready to take me in for another leg surgery this is getting old really fast. So if anyone knows about them let me know and when my wife gives my phone back I will check it out. Thanks again guys for all the help . I belong to a couple different ATV forums but it seems like my questions get answered here fast .

[Laird]

I have a Vanguard. Basic machine. After 92 they all came with a, 16 briggs vanguard engine. The only difference i found was that the newer ones have hydraulic brakes as oposed to mechanical . There probably is a body change . Hope your surgery went well.

[Laird]

Just an after thought. When a car or automotive manufacturer discontinue a line or model they are obliged to provide parts for so many years. What I have noticed with Argo is they are like Chevys in a way as older model parts interchange with some later models. It does come to a point where technology has improved so that the interchange is no longer applicable. If part sourcing is a high concern a newer machine may be the route you may consider. Just my thinking anyway.

[Rj1]

Laird. My surgery did go good thanks for asking. My friend went and check out that Argo Vangaurd 6x6 and said it was in great shape. It comes with tracks which is what I really wasn't so I'm now in the process of buying it and getting it shipped to me. Not being able to move around the past couple of days I read everything I could find on the Vangaurd model and watched every video I could find on YouTube. They really seem like a good machine as long as there taken care of. The one thing I will want to get for it is a winch. Every ATV I have has one and I don't like ridding without one on it because being new to these machines I know I'm going to get stuck a lot at first. The one thing that did shock me was the price of tires for them I can't be live how much they cost.plus there 4ply. All my ATV have Bear claw 8 ply on them they holdup great in the rocky area I ride. How do the 4ply tired hold up on rocky trails? I hate to rip the sidewalls on a rock. Or does keeping low pressure help with that ? Anyway I hope to have it by the end of the week even though I have a cast on my leg I will still head out with it. As long as my wife is not home she told me no ridding for 6 weeks but I'm going to try to go tomorrow in my Polaris Ace I'm going nuts and I've only been laid up for 3 days now .

[Laird]

I have learned the hard way to listen to my wife especially if the doctor has given specific instructions. Anyway, the original Argo tires on my 91 were 2 ply Runamucks. 5 still held air, no tubes, 1 had a ripped sidewall with the tube hanging out. The tube let go back in the swamp but as I had the tracks on and was the centre tire, didn't know till I got home. Those tires were 3/4s gone and 20 years old. If your sidewalls are too heavy you won't get as much cushion. I run 5 lbs in the front and rears, 6 in the middle ones. For some, that is too much. With the tracks on I run 10 lbs cause that's where they are tight enough. With the low pressure the sidewalls flex but I suppose if the rocks are really sharp they could cut them. I believe the new Runamucks are 4 ply but in Canada those tires were about 265 bucks apiece. I bought 6, I think they are called Couger, for around the 540 mark, taxes in and free shipping out of a place called Fort9 out of Montreal. Ordered them on a Friday afternoon and had them Tuesday morning. They are two ply. With the tracks on I'm not too worried about any damage but without the tracks I am pretty cautious as the area I use the Argo in has quite a few thorn trees. As far as the winch goes, there is a bracket that bolts to the frame inside body. I built my own out of 3/4 square thin wall tubing and used 3/16 thick material for the outside bracket which the winch bolts too. Maybe yours will come with the factory bracket.

[Rj1]

There's no bracket on the Vangaurd my friend who checked it out for me sent me a good video of it that showed me everything and drove it around. I looked up the price for the bracket and they go for around 280 dollars and that's just for the bracket. Is there a special winch for this or can I use any one? What's the best grease for the Argo I know there's a lot of spots that will need it. I'm thinking it would have to me some kind of marine grease.