This seems to be a great period for many brands. I still have a pair of 2003 Arctic Cat 500’s that have been bullet proof. At the time the 4 wheel independent suspension was the deciding factor and a good one at that.

Today new I am a Can Am guy.

Osky

I’ll take up ease of maintenance. I would carefully look at any model and make sure that you can access the carburetor, oil fill areas, air and oil filters and spark plug without having to disassemble or remove body panels. For newer machines ( last 20 years) buy a 100 pack of body panel darts on ebay motors. I would also check to see if you can buy all the lubricants at an autozone and are not stuck with buying the manufactures special potions. I prefer a machine that has high/low and not full time fourwheel drive. Full time four wheel drive is not a deal breaker.

New machines still have carbs? I'd think everything would be EFI by now.

In my country atv all the way. A utv would never make it thru woodland trails around me. Have used them on adc lines since the great state of s.d. supplied me one in 89. Can drive in and out of truck. 4x4 dual range. I've had Hondas,Kawasaki's,Suzukis and the Suzuki king quad 300 is my fav

Honda.

Nice setup !

Went with the can-am defender 800. Full enclosure, power windows, factory heat, windshield wipers. Heck of a machine

The only reason I cut it off at 2004 is because they introduced the independent rear suspension in 2005. Where I operate the machines (muskeg) the suspension springs would be constantly getting completely mucked up. Otherwise the '05's and newer are great also. I wouldn't be too excited about the new fuel injected models though. Give me carbureted, I can work on those machines myself.