2010 8x8 Frontier?

[Bud]

Howdy.

I am a longtime Max owner, and am in need of an upgrade to haul people and decoys in the duck marsh.

I am looking for "deals" and am intrigued by the 2010 8x8 Argo Frontier. I am trying to stay in the $12k range, and want camo, skidplate, brushguard and winch at a minimum.

What is good about that machine, and what do I need to watch out for?

Thanks,

Bud

[Bud]

Wow. 52 views and no suggestions or comments. This must not be as popular a model as I thought.

[Mike]

I only know of one person on the site that has one. There may be more but this model just hasn't been out that long. On top of that it seems to target a really niche market that fills a gap between a 6x6 Frontier and 8x8 Avenger. It has the performance and features of the 6x6 with the ability to haul more people. To me it sounds perfect for someone in your shoes and I think the price is the most attractive part.

The only thing I would think about if I were you was to get an Avenger 8x8 that is a year or two older for about the same price, if not less. I would compare those and figure out which one suited you best. The Avenger has larger tires, a larger motor that is liquid cooled compared to the Frontier's air cooled 23HP. The Avenger can haul more but the Frontier weighs less.

If you are set on finding a good deal on a new model, perhaps one that has been sitting on a dealer's floor for a while, I would go with the Frontier 8x8 as that would fall in your price range. However, if you aren't set on a new model, I think I would look for a used Avenger if I were in your shoes. Something with <100 hours in the 2006 and newer range. You can often come across those in the $10,000 range but I would be sure to get the larger motor Avenger and not the 26HP version.

[Bud]

Thanks for the comments, Mike. I am continuing my search.

Bud

[mightymaxIV]

Howdy.

I am a longtime Max owner, and am in need of an upgrade to haul people and decoys in the duck marsh.

I am looking for "deals" and am intrigued by the 2010 8x8 Argo Frontier. I am trying to stay in the $12k range, and want camo, skidplate, brushguard and winch at a minimum.

What is good about that machine, and what do I need to watch out for?

Thanks,

Bud

Bud, the 8x8 Frontier is one of the most capable reasonably priced machines you can buy. The 8x8 swims like a fish and will haul a lot of equipment. If you can find one with the low range transmission and rear axle extensions that is the way to go. I just saw Roger do things with an old Argo 8x8 do things i didn't think could be done. The Frontier tires are awesome for marsh and swamp conditions and will climb out of holes know else can make. I was considering this machine for almost a year before I bought the 650 HD

[Bud]

Thanks Dan.

I have encountered Roger on a few rides myself, and he definitely has a gift. Just watching him descend ridiculously steep hills is enough to scare me.

[vader8x8]

I picked up mine in May. 13k with winch, skid plate, bilge pump, brake cooler, O.B. motor bracket and brake light kit. I added the rear bench seat and brush guard for another $500. I have taken it to the ends of the earth and the machine is unstoppable. It swims excellent and I think the lighter weight with the 650 air cooled is actually an advantage where I ride in the swamps of northern Maine. I would reccomend a brush guard to anyone running a winch. I have broken the clutch assembly off mine twice pushing through brush and trees before I got one. Personally I can't see any reason to drop another 5 grand for an Avenger. This machine is awesome.

[Roger S]

I prefer the 8x8 frontier because it is lighter up front than an avenger. The 23 briggs has a lot of potential, it could easily put out 30-45 hp depending on build and be long term reliable. Tim @ Adair Argo says it swims faster than an avenger.. that may have been with the bigger avenger tires on it..

If you got the bigger tires, you might want the lower geared/higher ratio transmission.

But a stock model/stock tires should be a great machine. Argo has a factory $1000 off deal this Fall..

[B.A.]

I have a 2009 8x8 frontier. The machine is unstoppable. No problems as of yet. Lots of power in the 23 horse. It's stock and I wouldn't change a thing. I see no reason or need to purchase a bigger machine. I use it to get to moose camp through muskeg swamp, bush, hills and across creeks. Loaded it has pulled 4 wheelers with loaded trailers through swamps and creeks and saved a lot of winching.
My 2 cents

[Bud]

My 2011 8x8 Frontier is on order, B.A., and in fact was scheduled to be built at the factory yesterday.

I did add a few extras to it, and it should be in my hands in a couple of weeks. I am hoping to have experiences similar to yours.

[mike bar]

Congrats on the purchase Bud. Keep us posted on your new adventures (complete with pictures and videos) please.Someday within the next ten years I hope to be doing the same.

[mightymaxIV]

Bud, have you got your Frontier yet?

[Bud]

It was delivered to Adair Argo last week, and they are in the process of getting everything ready.

Tim and Mike pulled the wheels and noticed that the tires could have been a better match circumference-wise, so they pulled new stock from their inventory and matched everything up.

The 4k winch and other accessories go on next week, followed by the latest generation of Adair tracks, which are in the process of fabrication.

I will post pics and a step-by-step thread as Tim keeps me apprised once everything is done.

[Roger S]

they pulled new stock from their inventory and matched everything up.

The 4k winch

That's good customer service on the tires.. and a 4k winch? I guess you won't be needing a snatch block

[mightymaxIV]

Roger, I started to use my 4000 pound winch to pull out a quad that was in mud up to the top of his tires. I started the winch and my machine moved forward but the quad didn't move, I put the Argo in Low range rolled backwards and pulled that very stuck machine out of the mud, and then drove through the same mud hole with about twenty quads watching me. My son was listening to their comments, things like, "Look at the awesome mud machine." "Can't believe he went through the same hole etc!"

Congratulations Bud, can't wait to see your machine!