Max 8x8

[RickMo]

So tell me when is Max coming out with their 8x8 model ?

[MaxRules]

Let's just make it practical and say when is Max coming out with *a* new model???? I know of no other vehicle in the world that has gone so long with no real changes. The competetion from side by side utility vehicles is a new market and one they didn't have to face just a few years ago. The days of making the same machine and increasing the price every year are surely numbered. I guess we are lucky to still have the Max at all.

[Robio_8x8]

They should not become so complacent

Let's just make it practical and say when is Max coming out with *a* new model???? I know of no other vehicle in the world that has gone so long with no real changes. The competetion from side by side utility vehicles is a new market and one they didn't have to face just a few years ago. The days of making the same machine and increasing the price every year are surely numbered. I guess we are lucky to still have the Max at all.

This complacency is what gave the North American auto manufactures a down turn in sales. Even if things are going well they should try to dream up some way of improving or offering something else to the market. I try to support North American made products when I can and my large purchases are North American products in spit of what media and friends try to tell me.
I am not saying they have to re tool the whole shop just try to be a bit more innovative. I think what this industry needs is a lower cost AATV to get more people involved. I have herd a few Quad owners say they would like an AATV type vehicle instead but the cost is unjustifiable. I personally think the track option cost for the Argo is nuts. I am not sure what the Max Track’s prices are like but I can get ten snowmobiles tracks for the price of one pair of Argo tracks.

[jpswift1]

What helped Attex gain so much of the AATV market share, way back when was because of the 252 Crazy Colt that had a retail price of $995 when a majority of other AATV's sold for around $1,500. In many of the manufacturer to dealer newsletters this was discussed and it explained how the Crazy Colt was to be sold as the "starter machine" to get people introduced to the hobby. It was believed that customers would then upgrade their machine to a higher end model when they were ready to purchase another one. The company hit the nail right on the head with this idea and it worked extremely well. Even though Attex didn't make a lot of money on the 252 Crazy Colt, it got exposure for their machines and it got buyers hooked. Attex followed up with a strong marketing effort and upgrades and new machines, they were able to continue this success for many years.
After writing this response, it makes me think that Attex Corporation's strategies would be a prime example for a case study that would be found in a college marketing text book. I certainly would have paid a little more attention in class if this was in my book, rather than flirting back and forth with the girl that sat next to me or drawing pictures of 6 wheelers and trucks.

[Robio_8x8]

That may have been allot of money back then

$995 or $1500 for an Attex sounds really good to us now but in the late 60's early 70's a full size car was around $3200 so multiply the prices by ten and you pretty much have the AATV and full size car prices today. However, some things do cost less like the Air condition option then was an approximately $1500 and now approximately a $1500 option or less.

I have not seen the air conditioning option in the Argo yet

Were is Attex now? This innovative thinking is great for the consumer and may have made great machines but could be hard on the pocket book. One business philosophy was why try to reinvent the wheel just keep it rolling. The integrity of this philosophy I do not agree with but I have seen financially successful companies follow it. Notice I stated “financially successful”, not all greatness lends it’s self to financial reward.

[jerrynuss]

What did happen to Attex, why did they close shop?

[jpswift1]

I heard it was a number of things that did it. They were a good corporation, and if these things didn't happen, they would probably still be in business today. From what I know in the mid 1980's they went away from using the T-20 and used a transmission called the GT-1 and GT-2. The GT-1 being a single speed forward unit and the 2 being a two speed. This transmission was an absolute nightmare. The main output shafts would break right off. Here is a picture of one that Jerseybigfoot converted to a T-20.



Also, the recession of the 1980's didn't allow people to have much of a disposable income for recreational vehicles. Fuel costs also added to this. Honda had came out with their 3 wheeler ATC in the 70's which put a sting on the 6x6 industry because of their lower price, and then down the road came 4 wheelers. I think that a combination of all of these things really added to the decline of the 6x6 industry all together. It seems like in the 1990's the hobby started making a come back, even though there were only two major manufacturers, Argo and Max. Now with this great site, and us members getting our vehicles exposed to others out there, people are starting to realize how great AATVs really are. I have talked to a lot of people who had these 6x6s when they were growing up and now they are going around looking for another one so they can relive those memories, or just because they want something that is capable of traveling over just about any terrain out imaginable.

[Robio_8x8]

I think it has more to do with exposure

]

Also, the recession of the 1980's didn't allow people to have much of a disposable income for recreational vehicles. Fuel costs also added to this. Honda had came out with their 3 wheeler ATC in the 70's which put a sting on the 6x6 industry because of their lower price, and then down the road came 4 wheelers. I think that a combination of all of these things really added to the decline of the 6x6 industry all together. It seems like in the 1990's the hobby started making a come back, even though there were only two major manufacturers, Argo and Max. Now with this great site, and us members getting our vehicles exposed to others out there, people are starting to realize how great AATVs really are. I have talked to a lot of people who had these 6x6s when they were growing up and now they are going around looking for another one so they can relive those memories, or just because they want something that is capable of traveling over just about any terrain out imaginable.

In our little world we have grown up and know about this product very well but when I show friends my machine and take them for a ride I get comments like when did they start making these machines and how come I never herd about them . When I tell them they started making this type of machine back in the 50’s possible before they wonder why it is not more popular. I think more exposure and awareness would get this industry the boost it needs in any economy. The Honda products were just so in your face with marketing people were not aware of a better machine that can do so much more.The ATC was poor value and very dangerous but every one knows about them. It almost surprises me how few are actually aware of an AATV or its abilities. It also needs to be marketed for different applications.

Also I can rent try out or tour in an ATV, dirt bike boat, jet ski at almost every recreational place I have traveled. I have yet to see a place with the exception of a place in New Zealand on a trip I made to Australia. Is this Ironic, I discovered how much I like this vehicle on the other side of the planet that is made in my very own province.

Argo 8x8 Off Road Adventures, Adventure Waikato New Zealand

[jpswift1]

You're exactly right. That ATC was very dangerous, and a poor design. I think just about every off road park even doesn't allow them to be used there. They were well known and they sold many of units, just as you mentioned, because of the marketing and the exposure they received. It is such a shame how people are so unaware of extremely capable off road an versitile machines like AATVs, yet all of these dirt bikes, 4 wheelers, 3 wheelers, Rhinos, Rangers, etc are so widely recognized. Hopefully this will change in the coming years with sites like 6x6world.com and events where groups of AATVs go out an dominate obstacles that would make any other vehicle stop in its tracks.

[Moike]

My two cents worth, As an AATV owner I truely love this machine. As with all vehicles options are pretty much the same. We can get plows, winches, roofs, horsepower along with various other things.
The one thing I am sure would make our beloved machines much more widely accepted would be some type of suspension. My wife prefers the quad, Japanese Mini Truck, Mule so much more only because of the suspension.
OK, thats my two bits

[Don]

The one thing I am sure would make our beloved machines much more widely accepted would be some type of suspension.

Which brings us right back to the flotation tire issue. Anyone who's ridden in a machine with six good flotation tires on it will attest to the fact that their ride is far superior to most of their rim & tire cousins. The skid-steer amphib was designed around these tires and the tires were the built-in "suspension". The alternative is a suspension setup like Whipper's, which I'm sure is better than any tire, but not all of us have the recources and expertise of Apache Gear behind us!

There: I've added my two cents too.
Don

[Marc]

The price is the main problem, they are mainly for offroad use and for fun and therefore you dont want to pay the price of a cheap car.
Here in germany you pay about 14000 $ for the cheapest model and a Lada Niva (a real fourseater Jeep with heater top and roadpermission) costs 10000 $ . The most sold quads here from asia cause they are so cheap that you can get a quad for 1500 $ and with roadpermission for 3000 $. Of cause they are a nightmare in quality and driving but they are the beginner drug. And they made quads popular cause you can see them everywhere.

And i think there is another reason why AATVs are so unknown.
The TV and movies. For exampel since James Bond everyone knows from mini Helicopters over Aston Martin to the ATCs from Honda. Did you ever heard from Lotus or Aston Martin before they use it in the James Bond movie ?
Why did they never use a 6x6 AATV ?
They are perfect for many action movies but there are no movies with them.

[Robio_8x8]

Hey Marc

Not only is it as much as cheaper car but there is a new Car on the world market called a Tato Nano that is $2500 Brand new . This would not pass the North American standards but I sure another $1000 added to it may be able to.
Tata Motors Launches $2500 Nano Car in India | Cleveland Leader

30hp car LOL

I have also seen used skid sterring construction machines go for allot less then used AATV in my area. I bought and Argo for the USA because guys up here are just asking too much for too little.

[MR.SNAKE!!]

Atc 3 Wheelers

I am new one this site ,I am currently looking for a six wheeler,because I have always wanted one since I seen the one gi joe had it was yellow and I said one day I will own one of these great machines,but I will say because I have owned from the atc 90 with ballon tires all the way up to the famous 250r racing 3 wheelers they are great machines ,and if they would make a new one today ,I would own one ,I guess the point I am trying to make is that any machine either 6 wheels or 3 wheels ,if you ride them and respect them chances are you will be ok ,accidents do happen and the all can be dangerous ,but they should not have stopped making them ,because they have been far more people injured on 4 wheelers than 3 wheelers or 6 wheelers. thanks Karl aka MR.SNAKE!!

[Robio_8x8]

the only reason for that is

I am new one this site ,I am currently looking for a six wheeler,because I have always wanted one since I seen the one gi joe had it was yellow and I said one day I will own one of these great machines,but I will say because I have owned from the atc 90 with ballon tires all the way up to the famous 250r racing 3 wheelers they are great machines ,and if they would make a new one today ,I would own one ,I guess the point I am trying to make is that any machine either 6 wheels or 3 wheels ,if you ride them and respect them chances are you will be ok ,accidents do happen and the all can be dangerous ,but they should not have stopped making them ,because they have been far more people injured on 4 wheelers than 3 wheelers or 6 wheelers. thanks Karl aka MR.SNAKE!!

There are far more 4wheels and 6 wheelers made then the 3 wheelers so the odds of there being more accidents on more common safer machines is possible but I would still like to see were you got this miss information from. The 3 wheelers in my area are band completely even on privet use and I have witnesses first hand how the three wheeler will tip and damage the operator legs. I thought this was just the driver until I took one out for a spin and it really wants to tip out from a turn. on a dirt bike which I deem as safer you can easily lean into a turn were a 3 wheeler prevents a lean in turn .You can shift your weight to correct it from tipping most times but on uneven terrain it could be easy to miss calculate and flip over with the machine offering no protection if fact the machine will cause you more harm then if you were just though off of it. There was a reason why 3 wheelers were band and why Honda had to stop making them all together. I wish that the law suits would have put Honda out off business all together.