Bargaining chips before signing

Are there any small items or services I might try for to sweeten the
deal? Small conveniences that aren't worth buying but are nice tossed
in as freebies? Is the 50 hour service something best done by the
dealer (who has the benefit of having seen hundreds of RTVs) and will
dealers do that for free if you bring the RTV to them?



What did you guys use for clinchers..? My wife blew a fuse and decided
she hates me for wanting "another toy," so I might as well go for broke!



Pete

I didn't ask for anything myself but here's a couple things and a ballpark of their value.

Speedometer $65
Front mud flaps (although relatively worthless) $25
Plastic roof $160
50-hour service $150 (I'm guessing on the cost).
Bed liner $150 (I'm guessing on the cost)

For the 50-hour service, I'd probably do it myself as it gives you an opportunity to become more familiar with the machine. It's neither hard nor time consuming. I did it in less time then it would have taken to load and haul it to the dealer and back (which is only about 9 miles). Maybe you could ask that they just supply the oils/fluids/filters for the service.

Not sure which model you're considering but there may be a charge for swapping tires. Not sure if they're still doing it but I believe it was $100.

As a side note (and maybe Neil can confirm), for any OEM accessories you're considering it's best (cheaper) to get them from the sales department instead of the parts department.

Oops. Wasn't signed in.

It was me that posted that reply.

LastJanuary Kubota had a $200 rebate/credit for accessories. My dealer applied it to the sale price. He didn't know about it in Decemberbut you might ask your dealer if he's heard anything. I think the real purpose was to clear out the 2005 models as the 2006 models were coming in to the dealers.

My dealerwanted $325 for the 50 hour service. </P>


Do it yourself.</P>

I've always done it before on my tractors...maybe I could get the filters tossed in

[quote user="Anonymous"]I've always done it before on my tractors...maybe I could get the filters tossed in[/quote]
I would aim a little higher. The filters are about $40 total. A 5 gal. bucket of Super UDT is about $80.

Well, the RTV ain't gonna happen. I rode my trusty old quad around the
meadow this morning marveling at all the damage that rented RTV had
caused in the wet field in just two days of use, then ran up one of the
old logging roads that was also very wet...and decided under these
conditions an RTV would be a very expensive half-year utility vehicle
for me. As much as I liked it, as well as it handled all the work I
threw at it, I just couldn't justify spending that much on something
that would be restricted to the drier portions of my land.



So today I signed on the new Grizzly 700EFI and will get a small,
rugged trailer with fat tires. It won't handle the loads I was hoping
to haul, but it's much faster and more comfortable so I'll have fun
making twice as many trailer runs.



I pick it up on Wednesday.

Sorry it didn't work out for you but under the circumstances I understand your predicament (sp).

Congrats on your new Grizzly! A fine selection.

Just be careful that you don't get a load that'll push your new ATV.

[quote user="bczoom"]Sorry it didn't work out for you but under the circumstances I understand your predicament (sp).

Congrats on your new Grizzly! A fine selection.

Just be careful that you don't get a load that'll push your new ATV.

[/quote]



Thanks, Brian. I hear you about the load! There are several trailers
out there, most of them advertising a carrying capacity MUCH higher
than I would consider safe on my property. So I'll keep looking till I
find a dual axle SMALLISH trailer with fat tires capable of handling my
sort of loads and no more...while minimizing the footprint in wet
conditions.



My only disappointment in the Grizz is that the only color the dealer had was blue. I'm partial to red.



Pete

I have several small trailers for firewood.

I have one similar to what you're looking for but it's awfully heavy. It's 3x6', double axle, tilt bed but probably weighs 300#+ empty.

Would one of those light 17 cu/ft trailers work for you? You could make it a tandem axle pretty cheap (i.e. also buy a 10 cu/ft for $100 and rip the undercarriage off it and weld to the 17 cu/ft). This setup would still weigh less than 80#. In my 17 cu/ft, I lined it with 1/2" plywood to make it more durable against impacts from logs being tossed in.

Boondox - Probably a good call if you're concerned about turning a puddle into a bog. The RTV does have a heavy footprint which is fine if you don't have to deal with wet areas or sensitive areas. I think it is really hard for some folks to imagine until you have to drive through the same damp area several times daily or even weeklyand see what happens. I'm hoping some tire manufacturer will address the issue. </P>


Out of curiosity how does your ATV do in the wet spots andhow aggressiveare your tires ? Or do you just steer around the wet spots.I can'tgo around because I have ponds on all sides. </P>


But, I want to seeof a picture of you and both of your Goldens on the Grizzly...</P>


Doggman</P>


</P>

Brian -- My two requirements for a trailer are smallish (to better
navigate between trees) and decent ground clearance. I'm beginning to
think this is something I'll end up making, as the store bought stuff
seems to focus on good looks over function.



Doggman -- My Honda quad has the OE tires which are very gentle on the
terrain. If I cross the soggy sections straight, without turning or
braking, it scoots right across leaving perfect imprints of the tread
in the mud. For a couple of years I used Super Swamper Vampires on the
quad, and again if I rode like I was crossing an icy patch they were
pretty easy on the soggy stuff. If I lost traction with the Vampires I
could gun it and claw my way out of anything, though they flung huge
globs of mud in every direction. If I get stuck with the OE tires, it's
time to fire up the winch.



When the OE tires on the Grizz wear out I'll look for something a tad
more aggressive but also wider trying for that flotation thing.



If you go to Goldendogs-Online.com and search for Tadcaster in the
Image Gallery you'll find a shot of my pup riding with me on the Honda.
I pick up the Grizz this Wednesday and will use a bathmat across the
tank so the pup gets a better grip. I'm hoping Tuppence will ride in
back of me if I get one of those storage/padded seat combinations for
the back rack.



Pete