Argo 480 vs 580 vs 650?

[pcmark]

Here's the problem with buying the most machine that you can afford simply for the sake of having the best: If it's more machine than you'd ever need or use, it's a waste of money. I've had my knocks in life, but also my good fortune, and I could have bought a 750 HDi. And, it would have been a complete waste of money, serving me no better in my use than my 580. Given the choice between a 580 or a 750 HDi, I'd buy the 580 and donate the difference to charity (which I pretty much did in 2011). I say, buy what you need, not simply the biggest, baddest machine for the sake of having it -- and if a lower-end machine suits your needs, then you have money to put toward other uses. I know these are big-boy toys, and I hate to be a killjoy, but when it comes to recreational items, thinking like a grown-up can help us make a better decision on such purchases.

[thebuggyman1]

Here's the problem with buying the most machine that you can afford simply for the sake of having the best: If it's more machine than you'd ever need or use, it's a waste of money. I've had my knocks in life, but also my good fortune, and I could have bought a 750 HDi. And, it would have been a complete waste of money, serving me no better in my use than my 580. Given the choice between a 580 or a 750 HDi, I'd buy the 580 and donate the difference to charity (which I pretty much did in 2011). I say, buy what you need, not simply the biggest, baddest machine for the sake of having it -- and if a lower-end machine suits your needs, then you have money to put toward other uses. I know these are big-boy toys, and I hate to be a killjoy, but when it comes to recreational items, thinking like a grown-up can help us make a better decision on such purchases.

Please don't talk to my wife.......I don't want to act like a grown up....I like toys.

[Roadtorque]

That's good ol' common sense talking.

[mightymaxIV]

Heres my opinion-even the 480 is a fine machine, the main thing I would look for is the 3.30 transmission, as long as it has the 3.30 gearing and you don't mind going a slower you should be able to do anything the other machines can do and long as your willing to go into low range. I believe that I saw RickGa's yellow Argo 480 at Busco and it was a very capable machine.

If I had a perference I would want a 580 or 650 but hey, you can't beat the price of that 480.

Now pertaining to tracks-ya the factory is right pertaining to factory tracks! However once again as long as you are willing to go a little slower what applies to factory tracks does not appy to Adair tracks-the Adairs don't bleed away as much horsepower.

My personal opion is I wouldn't run the tracks in anything but a 580 or up, but we go right back to the price. The 480 is a great machine for the price and should be able to do almost anything the larger machines will do at a little slower pace.

[mightymaxIV]

14K is a very good price for an HD-you have already felt the power of an HD now nothing else will do. Even if you buy a 580 you will always be thinking about the HD power while your going down the trail and wondering-"What if I would have gotten an HD?" Another thing to consider is resale value. Used HD's will be in high demand from this point on.

[meld0gga]

One angel response with a lot of devils! haha- pcmark, i hear ya buddy- I agree with all points made- Do any of us NEED the biggest & baddest, no. Do we all WANT- yes! I think its in our DNA? Had I been smart, I should have never tested the HD first. I can't stop thinking about the logs we traversed and actual trees {not sapplings} trees the dealer took out with this machine {guy was a nut on it} Where I would be doing a lot of riding {Maine} there are often no trails with a lot of hills and the extra power to trailblaze would be nice. Shooting for 580 test this weekend then that completes the trio. Dealer is going to see if Rep will send to him for a week without having to buy it. Then it's decision time! Thanks