love my 2011 800 4, only issue so far was the rear diff, don't plan on getting a new one until this one just falls apart. I can go any where the new ones can and a few places they cant because of there size. they are faster but mine is fast enough for where i ride. irs all what you want. (and its paid for)

 

Yeah mine is paid off as well and it doesn't owe me anything. If I rode trails the speed thing would be no big deal, but if I go riding it's usually at the dunes and although I can get around decent, you put three extra guys in it and some steep hills it struggles, especially trying to keep up with 1000's.

I thought about just using it around the farm, but it's not real practical for work. I bought a Ranger Crew last year anyways. Probably just keep it around for now since I am only avearging a couple trips of riding a year anyway.

One thing I do love about it is with three kids I can put everyone in there and have a good time. That is the main reason I bought it in the first place.

Been thinking about putting a snow plow on it this winter, but didn't know how well that worked with the long wheelbase. So far we've only had one decent snow though....

 

800 based platforms seem like dinosaurs and not very desirable, but should always have a place for trail riding and first timers not wanting to invest too much in their first machine.

 

That's what I have always kind of thought. The new ones are at a price point that many can't play. The good thing about the 800 is they made them for a long period of time so there is a good aftermarket.

 

I have a xp 4 900 which also seems like it's getting ancient to me. I did the same as you and bought it only months before the 1000 came out and have always felt like I should have waited. I think if you like it and it does what you need then keep it. I mainly trail ride with my machine so the 900 has actually more power than I need. There are many machines out with more power, but after riding with/in 1000 4's, I don't think they are so much better to warrant the cost. Now the turbo is different, but unless someone is willing to drive to Tennessee, a turbo is going to be around $30k out the door but is it going to be $30k better and more fun? There are more and more models being produced now and several rumors out there about new 4 seat machines so I'm in no hurry to get anything new. When the General 4 seater is introduced, I might be interested in that but I feel your pain. If you keep your 800, I'd make sure to fix the rear diff nut issue if nothing else, I had one come apart in my old '12 800 s.

 

Did some trail riding this weekend with several 4 1K's and mine did what I wanted to do and it is paid for. With all the mods I have on it I will keep it. Also the new 4 1k won't fit in my toy hauler.

 

If I was in your shoes, I'd look at it this way: you mentioned three things that are very important: it's been trouble free, it's been paid for, and it still fits your family which is the reason you bought it. Those alone would be a great argument to keep it.
There's always going to be the cycle of new stuff coming out to make us all itchy and excited, but if you've got a good one, keep it, at least until you find another one you simply can't live without.

 

I actually got it out and rode it today for the first time in a long time. Just rode it around the farm, but I blew the cobwebs out at least! No it doesn't have a lot of raw power, but it still amazes how well it handles.

I got to looking at the Polaris website last night and hadn't heard about the new General. Honestly this is what I really need, but they didn't have anything like that at the time I bought my RZR4. However, they are priced pretty high too and I'd have to come up with a pretty good chunk of money if I traded in or sold outright. And you are right, there is always something a little better coming so you are always chasing you're tail.

The more I think about it, unless I start riding more I'll just keep the RZR4. I can't imagine the value will drop a whole lot more over the next few years if I keep it in good shape. Seems like the floor for a good used one is $8000 or so for the ones I've seen for sale.

Might look into a clutch kit though since I mainly ride at the dunes when I do ride.

 

Mention can't live without, well the pricing at Abernathy's along with $1000 discount gave us the itch. Just could not walk away from an XP1K at that price. Now we have grandpa's new toy, though we plan to keep 800RZR4 for family rides, etc. So far its worked out perfect. Took my son and his friend for a ride at Rush Off Road during holidays and all had a great time.

 

How did u get a $1,000 discount, Mike?

 

Cool! Congrats!!