Any Reason not to buy a earlier model?

[ProfitOfDoom]

Im still not ready to buy,but I been looking to see whats around and to get a idea what their going for. I seen a few of them near me they are like early 80's models they look alright but need some work,I called a argo dealer near me who also do repairs to see what they cost to fix it up. Of course it was a ball park guestimation but the repair shop replied and just gave me a idea of repair bills. He said to do outer seal and bearings about 80 bux a axle plus add 50 bux per axle for labor,and even more to do inner bearing and chains would be more. So I guess it is safe to assume something like that would easily cost $1,000 plus to fix,But depending on what you get it for it could be a bargain,or could end up costing you about the same for a newer used one.
But if I do find a older used one and decide to put the money into one is there any reason to avoid buying one from lets say the 80's era?
From what I read parts are readily available for these,but any reason like design flaws,lack of upgrades etc or any other reasons to stay away from older models?
Or have they stayed pretty much the same over the years?

[jimsummit]

The older argo generally have smaller engines, non splined axles, and possibly smaller tires.
The good thing about argos is you can upgrade all these items, but might cost the same as a
newer machine. If you enjoy pulling wrenches,it is rewarding, but at a dealer it can get exspensive.
Argos have seen alot of improvments, liquid cooled engines,25'' tires, better chain tighters, more
ground clearance, new admiral trans, almost twice the HP, and so on.
I run a Vangard 2 but plan to upgrade to Avenger sometime.

[ProfitOfDoom]

Thanks those are some pretty good reasons
So what would be the safe year to shoot for,I know I will not be buying new and budget will be 5k or less when the time comes,so what would be a decent machine to go for? Im not sure if I want a 6x6 or 8x8,but oim fairly certain I want a argo. So when did they start making them with splined shafts and more clearence?

[jimsummit]

Most of the argos in mid 90 had the better axles. The 6x6 BIGFOOT argo came out in 1998 with 25'' tires. The 8x8 got the bigger tires around 2004 on the AVENGER.
1998 Vangard 2 had a longer wheelbase, same as Bigfoot for a better ride, but still used 22'' tires.
In a 6x6, I would look for a Bigfoot or Frontier. 8x8 look for Conquest (Liquide cooled) very popular in northern Canada.
Most guys run tracks up here, helps with ground clearance.

My 0.02 cents

[spookum]

From my research into aatvs, it really dosent matter what you get with an argo. Just make sure the tub isnt broke (filled full of water and then froze....) I have a 70s argo, for 500 and another 900 into it, but that is with a winch and tires i abought. Rember that the most expensive part is buying tires, so have an idea of what you would have to pay on top of the cost of the machine if it looks like it needs new tires. I would also be curious to know milage/hours on a machine before it is recomended that you change bearings and chains

[northerner]

hey there mr summit, whats all this talk bout upgradeing?! are u just waitin fer me to buy a machine so u kin top it? ha ha

[jimsummit]

Ya, you better get movin.
That quad aint ganna cut it.
Besides this is a AATV forum.......ha