By Dave Johnston on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Everyone likes to save a buck...me too. But I head a couple of stories I would like to share. First one. A guy decides to buy an Argo. So to save a bunch of money, he goes to Canada and buys one. Saves on import tax, saves on the exchange rate, and happily brings his machine back to the states. A total savings of a couple of thousand. Then finds out it can not be registered or licensed and that parts he needs for his CANADIAN spec machine are not available in the USA. Plus any support that he expected from the dealers is not available as they are required to work within the Argo parts system. Second one. Guy finds a used Argo on the internet. Buys it, then has to spend more than a thousand dollars getting it shipped to his home. And when it arrives, it needs oil, radiator fluid, gas, and a general checkup due the shipper draining out all the fluids prior to the shipping. Ends up not saving much and as it turns out, does not have all the documentation he needs to get it registered and licensed. Saving a buck is fine, but know that there are hidden costs. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is not true.

By Bruce on Unrecorded Date: Edit

What would a Canadian spec machine have that could not be replaced in the U.S????Metric is as metric is......SAE is SAE....And what dealer would not be willing to sell a part to any one who comes into his dealership....I don't understand this post...

By Dave Johnston on Unrecorded Date: Edit

How come some cars can be sold in 49 of the 50 states but can not be sold in California?... Different pollution control specs. How come German cars are not allowed directly into the USA?
Different safety specs. I am not aware of anything like these that apply to the Argo but there may be. However pollution and safety requirements are not the only considerations. The issue here is "gray market" imports. In order for foreign car, ATV or boat companies to have a viable dealer network in the USA, they make efforts to prevent gray market imports. The dealers make their money selling the machines and would not stay in business long if they ONLY sold parts. If the Argo company allowed direct purchase or purchase through Canadian dealers they are just cutting the throats of the American Argo dealers. Some of the ways they try to PREVENT gray market imports is not supplying documentation needed in the USA for registration or licensing and by requiring the dealers to tow the mark in regards to supporting the anti-gray market policy. Lastly there is the issue of "fairness". The dealers have to maintain a fairly substantial stock of parts as well as a machine or two for people to see. How is it fair to the dealer to show a vehicle to someone, allow a demonstration drive, explain everything then have the person decide to buy one in Canada rather from the dealer who did all the work? And human nature being what it is, if I were a dealer and someone did that to me, I would be inclined to say if someone can go to Canada to buy the machine, then they can go to Canada to buy the parts also.

By dealer on Unrecorded Date: Edit

To add to what Dave has said. I am an Argo dealer in Maine. One thing he did not mention if you purchased an Argo in Canada. You can not get insurance on it either. You may get it, but if something happens, it will not be covered. We are also not allowed to sell parts for a machine that was bought in Canada. If you purchase a machine in Canada and intend on registering it in the states, the warranty will be void, unless you decide to take it back to the dealer in Canada you purchased it from. ODG does all this to protect the dealers they have in the US. They try to make it fair for all their dealers. If this wasn't the case, how long would it be before everyone would be buying from Canada, and then who in their right mind would even want to be a dealer here in the US. It's hard enough trying to make a living with these, without being undercut on prices from Canada. I get this quite a bit, being on the border of Canada. All I can do is simply tell the customer the downside of buying in Canada. According to ODG, a dealer could loose his dealership by selling out of their territory. Most of the dealers are good about this though. Every once and awhile, I hear of it happening. Most customers don't even realize about the insurance, or the warranty problems until after they purchase one in Canada. Then it's too late.

By from maine on Unrecorded Date: Edit

The following is a link from a discussion board off "SledMaine" regarding Canadian purchases. There are over 45+ posts with some interesting points.
http://www.sledmaine.com/cgi-bin/YaBBS/YaBB.pl?board=general&action=display&num=1038017038

By Been there, done that! on Unrecorded Date: Edit

So much for NAFTA.

I believe Argos are overpriced here in the states and don`t blame anyone for trying to save some of their hard earned cash.

By Dave Johnston on Unrecorded Date: Edit

IF a person feels the need to save money by going to Canada to buy a machine, then the same should be true if they need parts. The same "save a buck" logic is why Walmart/Kmart/etc can go into a small town and make money while the small local stores, unable to compete with the mass purchase price of the chains, go out of business. Usually the Argo guy is a LOCAL guy and much of the money you give him stays in the local community. Take your money, go to Canada, buy a machine and put the local guy out of business. Then turn around and complain about how little support we get and how few of us 6 and 8 wheelers there are. Guess the view is ME saving a buck vs US as a community of riders..

By Out of state on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Why would I want to drive almost 300 miles to the closest Argo dealer in my state to purchase an Argo when I live near the border of another state and the Argo dealer there is about 50 miles away? Well according to both dealers, they cannot sell to anyone out of state to protect their exclusive territories. Great logic huh? Guess I should buy a Max, their dealership network does not Discriminate as far as I know. Seems to me someone could make a legal case out of it if they had the money and desire to do so.

By WI Argo Wanna Buy on Unrecorded Date: Edit

This same type of logic applies to Argo purchases from out of state dealers too. I really want to buy a new 8x8 Argo. I am not willing to drive 6+ hours to my in state dealer when I can get the same machine in my neighboring state and only have to drive less than an hour. It's not the dealer's fault,it's ODG's policy. Maybe I should lie about where I live and use an out of state address? Not much use in doing that if I have a warranty problem. By the way, this policy applies to used Argo's sold by a delearship also. Maybe they should rethink their policy to have territories determined by a geographic radius specified in miles rather than by state boundaries.

By Dick Zerrien (Dealer) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

If the dealer in your state wants to sell you an Argo, he should be willing to bring it to you. I have drove quite a bit farther than 6 hours to show a machine, but I knew I may have to do this when I became a dealer. People are just amazed that I would do this, but if I didn't, then I am just giving up a potential sale. I also offer to come to them if something goes wrong too. This is what all the dealers should be doing. If the dealer in your state were willing to do this, how likely would it be that you would want to buy from the dealer that is out of state, but closer to you? Also, I'm not aware of any resrtictions on selling used Argo's to someone out of state.

By Timothy Schotanus (Mudbuster) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I was interested in a new machine about 2 yrs ago and the closest argo dealer was 6+ hours away. So I called William Barns(the east coast distributor) and inquired about becoming a dealer. Even though I was willing to outright buy the number of machines to start a dealership he would not sell to me because I didn't have a "showroom" or a store already. I now drive a MAX and I didn't even buy it from the closest dealer(there are 3 in my state)

By from maine on Unrecorded Date: Edit

My situation is that I live on the Maine/New Brunswick border in Maine. My nearest Maine Argo dealer is 250 miles away. My nearest Argo New Brunswick dealer is 30 miles away. Common sense tells me to go to New Brunswick. Free trade and all. What ODG is doing is creating a monopoly for their dealers, even in the US, by not allowing a person outside a dealers area to buy. This negates the dicker power a person has by eliminating the competition between dealers to give the buyer the best price he can negotiate.
Also consider the following:
The first list is Maine prices, second are New Brunswick prices.

Argo 8X8 Conquest...$12,490.00......$14.000.00
Super Track Set.......2,512.45........2,400.00
Power Winch Assembly....835.99..........900.00
Windshield..............513.60..........495.00
Convertible Top.........986.85..........825.00
Heater Kit..............407.95..........400.00
Alternator Kit..........312.90..........285.00
Front Brush Guard........99.32..........150.00
Ice Cleat Kit............55.85...........59.95
Dual Tail Light Kit......24.50...........30.00
Hand Rail Kit............73.60...........60.00
Bilge Pump...............82.55...........90.00
Tow Hook.................16.95...........20.00

Total.................$18,412.50.......$19,714.95


Now using the Universal Currency Converter:
http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Results show that $19,714.95 Canadian is equal to $13,393.31 American. A difference of $5,019.20.
Now in all honesty and given the above, where would you buy?

By Dave Johnston on Unrecorded Date: Edit

This discussion opened in regards to INTERNATIONAL sales...not sales within the USA from one state to another. In particular it deals with issues of the exchange rate, tariffs, and import fees. Once a machine is IN the USA, you are talking a whole different set of issues. Read up on the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) which regulates inter-state contracts in 49 of the 50 states. There is no LAW preventing you from going to a different state to buy a machine. (IF you live in Minnesota, you can go to California to buy a car, the UCC prohibits denial of sales ONLY because of state of residence.) However, there may be franchise rules. Make sure you know what is prevented by LAW and what is being blocked by francise RULES. In most cases, if it is a franchise issue, the dealers will work together to make a sale. Even if the dealers SPLIT a fee, it is still money in their pockets. I am willing to bet a lot of the preceived "interstate" problems do not really exist..

By Out of state on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I don't care what the UCC states about regulating interstate contracts, I was told by a dealer that he could not sell me a machine because I lived out of state and that was ODG's policy. He suggested that I contact the dealer that was in my state. When I did contact him, he told me the same when I questioned the policy. If your willing to bet that these problems don't exist you need to open your eyes a little more. As a prospective buyer, I should not have to worry about UCC and Franchise rules. It should not be up to me to convince a dealer to sell me a machine because of the policy. If he wants to work out something with the other dealer, that's fine and it should be up to them to work together. Why do I have to even get involved in that process or why should I have to care either? Isn't that a business issue? Nothing personal but these kind of problems are indeed out there.

By Max4me on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Buy a Max.

By bigkodiak on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Dave
I hate to say it's so,but it is.
Argo has come up some really stupid crap as far as their sales go. I Live in PA, no dealers in this state. I would like to buyy repl. parts from a distributer in Indiana. She won't sell to me due to regional territory, I MUST go to my closest distributer in MD.
Why would I rather do business further away...Prices.
When I had older machines I had to get parts from whoever had them, and I built up a rep with the people further away. I feel that distributer is part of the six wheelin community unlike my local distributer.
I have complained nyumerous times about these issues with the manufacturer and both distributers on numerous occasions and it has gotten me NOWHERE.
Russ

By Out of state on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Thanks bigkodiak, I was starting to wonder if it was just me having this experience. We are seeing a weaker economy, high gas prices, high costs everywhere. A sale is a sale is it not? It would seem to me that if I were a businessman and someone from out of state came into my dealership wanting to spend anywhere from $13,000 to $18,000 to by a Conquest, I would do something more than tell that prospective buyer that his money can't be accepted because he lives across the state border. In my situation, both of the dealers lost out. If I have to drive 6 hours to my in state dealer to buy a Conquest is he going to give me a good deal or a discount because I had to drive that far? Heck no he isn't! I have already asked about it.

Dave, I am glad you brought up the back door purchase issue. You gave me a great idea. I can get a buddy to drive with me up to Canada, share the driving, and save a lot of money to boot. Now there is my incentive to get some windshield time. Yes it will be far more than 6+ hours drive but now I have a logical reason to make a long trip. It's called saving a lot of money.

To "from maine"...thanks for the price breakdown. Maybe I won't settle for a Max after all!

By Dave Johnston on Unrecorded Date: Edit

IF you live in Say New York and you can not go to another state and buy a machine due to the RULES set up by ARGO, then ARGO is in violation of the Uniform Commerce Code (UCC) AND federal interstate commerce laws. One of the primary mandates of the FEDERAL government is to regulate interstate commerce and anything that prevents it is a violation. A person living in California can go to Nevada and buy a non-CA spec car and save some money but they can not license it in California due to the pollution laws. But they can STILL buy the car. If ARGO does in fact have things set up that a person living on the border of one state 50 MILES from a dealer in a neighboring state and can not buy from that dealer, we may be seeing one of the reasons ARGOS are not very popular. Of course that is no surprise to me. I wrote a long letter to ARGO with many suggestions on how to improve sales, service, and etc and did not even get a response that they received my letter. I think ARGO likes being a little company and has no desires to expand. I expect the next thing is some Japanese company is going to get into the market and put ARGO out of business.

By Dave Johnston on Unrecorded Date: Edit

ADDENDUM....How is it a person can go to CANADA and buy a machine and not go the the neighboring STATE and buy a machine?.... You guys are saying that INTERNATIONAL commerce is easier than INTERSTATE commerce? Or is it that Canadian franchisers get a better deal?...

By David Keeso (Argomag) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

IF a japanese company gets into the market, than they wouldn't just put ODG out of business, RI would be out also. ODG is a much bigger company that RI will likely ever be. They have more that just the ARGO and Centaur lineup. They are the leading manufacturers of gear couplings, gears, and some other stuff that I can't remember.
Even if a Japenese company did enter the market, it would likely be junk anyways to match the rest of the japenese crap that is on the market these days. RI may make each part for their vehicles, or may not (I don't know) but if anyone gets taken out ODG would not be the first. I think the absolute first would be hydrotraxx. Or should I say ARGOtraxx (I think hydrotraxx copied ARGO in their design and many other aspects) Then you would have the other company (name has slipped my mind- 8 wheeled vehicle, engine in the middle, no front end and controls come up from floor if that helps at all. they are still in business these days) followed by RI and then by then, maybe ODG would clue in and change some things around and still have its place in the market- RI may also, but they stand a less likely chance of staying up.

I am saying this from my point of view and I could be very wrong. I don't agree with ODG not selling evenly in the US, but I know that up here in Ontario Canada, I have never heard of an issue and I don't see why their would be an issue of buying in one place but not being able to insure it or licence it because of where it was bought. It was made in the same place and thats all that really matters.

By David Keeso (Argomag) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Triton Predator- thats what I was referring to when I said the vehicle with no front end, engine in center of vehicle etc.

By Dick Zerrien (Dealer) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

TO: from Maine,
I am the Maine dealer that gave you the price. The only thing you had wrong was the base price. It is not $12490. I sell them for $12025. This doesn't sound like much and I understand your wanting to save money by going to Canada. Now look at my point of view. Assuming the Cnadian dealer pays about the same for this machine as I do, which in reality, he probably pays less, (ie. shipping). When he sells a base machine, he is already making $1975.00 more than I do. I go all the way to Maryland to pick up these machines. He probably has them delivered. In the price list I sent you, there would have been a letter, stating that I would bring a machine to you for you to try out. You didn't even have to leave the comfort of your living room. If after bringing one to you, you may or may not have bought one from me.(cost of being in business). I do understand you wanting to save money. I don't understand some of these threads on here, saying US dealers are greedy. WHO is making the money on these? With the currency exchange, the price is less than I pay for that machine. I see on here all the time, people complaining about there is no dealer close to them. Would it make a difference to you if there were a dealer in your town? If you could drive 30 miles to save, as you say, $5000.00 would you buy from your local dealer or the Canadian dealer? If you were to get a dealer where you are, first, he has to have a store front, then he has to buy a minimum of $50,000 of product, just so you have something to look at. And then watch you go across the border and buy one. How much sense does it make to be a dealer this way? This is one of the reasons ODG doesn't want their dealers selling out of their territory. They are trying to put in more dealers, but with this happening, they can't even make a living. Don't get me wrong, I DO understand why you want to buy in Canada. I just wanted you to realize what we are up against, from a dealers point of view. We just can't compete with the currency exchange. This is why you can't get insurance on that machine, can't buy parts for it in the US, and the warranty is voided. They are trying to protect the dealers they have and keep them from going out of business.
This is nothing personal, but it makes me mad, because we have no control over the currency exchange and it's the Canadian dealers who are making $1800 more per machine because of it.

By David Keeso (Argomag) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Keep in mind that the dealers up here in Canada are not just makign 1800 more per vechile, they are probably making more than that when you calculate the exchange rate. Unless the 1800 figure you described above was Canadian dollors, it is more like 2700 more per machine (in Canadian dollors)

By Dave on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Boy did I start a discussion or what?... I think the bottom line is this... If you go to Canada and buy a machine and skip the local dealer, then do not expect the local dealer to bust his butt to get parts for your machine, don't expect him to put you on priority for repairs if and when your machine breaks down and don't expect him to be an off road buddy. Maybe all these unlisted benefits don't mean much to you but it sure is nice to be in contact with others with ARGOS, being called for group rides (Last year we did the Rubicon Trail and put some high riding Jeeps to shame) and just having a guy who will give you a heads up on neat stuff to buy or just some info for future trips. So maybe all you want is the machine and could care less about support. If so, then don't go complaining about the lack of support. You get what you pay for. ((I now bow out of this discussion. Hopefully the dealers as a group will get with ARGO and as a group, address these issues.))

By bigkodiak on Unrecorded Date: Edit

You know if I were out of town, and happenened to see a dealer and decided to make an impulse buy of an Argo (not likely, but completely possible) I couldn't necessarily complete the sale.
What if I was on a long distance trip (as I do frequently) and I needed a part that I don't normally stock in my repair inventory. My dealer is over 1000 miles away but there is a local dist. within 2 hrs away. Will they take my money?
What if my local dist. is out of a part I absolutely need tommorrow, no one else can send me the part?
Let's face it, Argo is trying to monopolize their territories. If I walked into a dealer and said I'll take that machine with all the bells and whistles and wanted to pay cash, is their next question going to be what is your address sir? I'm sorry I can't sell you this machine you neeed to contact another dealer as you live outside of my selling region.
I'd sue their ass for discrimination, and probably get a free machine out of at some point. Why discrimination you ask? They are discriminating me for where I live.
I've had enough of this BS from ODG and Argo. I have expressed my concerns from the distributors to the factory. This is not the way business should be done. If I want to do business with a distributor 2000 miles away, for whatever reason, THATS MY BUSINESS, and that my friend is the way AMERICA works.
If I went to a car dealership to buy a car, the manufacturer wouldn't care what state I was from.
Sorry guys, as you can tell this issue really burns me to the point I wish I almost owned a MAX.

By bigkodiak on Unrecorded Date: Edit

And while I am on the rampage we haven't even addressed the possibility of PRICE FIXING, another possible ILLEGAL practice taking place.
As a consumer I have the RIGHT to shop for the best price, and puchase from the person I feel most comfortable with.

Russ

By Dick Zerrien (Dealer) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Bigkodiak,
If you were on a trip somewhere and wanted to buy an Argo from that dealer, you CAN buy it, as long as he doesn't deliver it to you. You have to take it with you or pick it up at the dealers. The stipulation of being a dealer is, we can not deliver it to you if you are out of our territory. I have a couple customers whom I sell parts to, that did just that. I'm not happy about it, but I'm not going to tell them they have to buy their parts from that dealer either. Parts are priced pretty much the same everywhere and any dealer should be able to ship them to you in a couple days. Argo's bought in Canada are different. We aren't ALLOWED to sell parts for these machines.
I'm not sure how other dealers do business, but if I sell an Argo to someone, I am on call just about 24 hours a day. If they have a problem and can't get it to me, I WILL go to them. I have traveled 60 miles to help someone that was stuck and stranded out in the woods. He had no one else to call. He didn't ask me if I would come. I offered. I deliver for free. I don't care if it's 300 miles away. I have dropped parts off 250 miles away, because I was going to be traveling close to them and saved them the shipping. If someone wants to travel, who knows how far, to save a few hundred dollars and not get this kind of service, then that's their choice and I have not done my job very well. I'm not required to do these things. I choose to, because I don't WANT someone to go on vacation and buy an Argo 1000 miles away.
You really can't compare car dealers to an Argo dealer, (even though they have territories too), because almost any new car dealership sells more cars in one week than most Argo dealers sell in a year. When they loose a sale or even a dozen sales a year to another dealer, they know they have enough customers that it isn't going to make that much of a difference. When you take the same number of sales lost from an Argo dealer, it may mean staying in business or not. There are very few dealers that sell even 50 Argo's per year, so it doesn't take too many lost sales to make a difference. This is why ODG tries to be strict on their territories. If it ever gets to the point where we are selling as many Argo's as 4 wheelers sold, then you will see this change.

By RonW on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I bought my Bigfoot in Canada, saved over $2000. Would have been a 4hr drive anyway in the US to get an Argo here.The Canadian dealer was great, had the machine and paperwork ready to go ASAP. He's aways been there for me whenever I had any kind of question. Since I came from so far and had no dealer close to me, he even through in a double VHS shop manual on everything from pulling an engine, replacing axles, rebulding the tranny, etc.....The machine is long out of warranty now ,engine parts are available anywhere, and since no Argo dealer close to me anyway, I just buy them at Canadian dollars + a little shipping from my dealer. It works out ok for me.

By Howard Hoover on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Dick, If someone calls you up and tells you they need parts for a used Argo they bought But they don't know where it was bought what do you do? Or do you automatically ask everyone Where the machine was bought originally? If they don't know do you ask them for serial numbers so you can verify where it was bought? and how will you know that they aren't giving you serial numbers from another machine? If you can't verify do you just refuse to sell them parts? thanks Howard

By attexsixwheeler on Unrecorded Date: Edit

A few years ago I called Argo and never recieved any information or assistance of any kind. It's good because I wouldn't have bought one now that I know how overpriced they are~ ! Recreatives, on the other hand is very helpful and has sent me brochures and tempting offers, I could see buying a MAX as the prices are not THAT bad, and the quality is ok. In general, however I still think 6x6 's are obsolete technology which would never be picked up by any new company. You can buy a automobile for 10,000- why would a AATV ( which is a glorified bathtub + riding mower ) cost as much? This is a specific maching for specific applications ( and nutty guys like me!) You have to sell cheap or be prepared to support your loyal customers.

By Dick Zerrien (Dealer) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Howard, when someone calls me for a part, I usually do ask where it came from. Not because I suspect it may be from Canada, but because I have sold 99% of the Argo's in Maine and surrounding states in the last 5 or 6 years. I just want to know it wasn't anything that I did or did not do. There is nothing stopping me from selling parts to someone who has a used machine and I usually do sell the parts. I'm sure that I have sold parts to a Canadian machine before without knowing it. It's only by accident that I would find out anyway. If someone needed a part that required a serial number for instance. This also answers your other concern of giving me the wrong serial number. The wrong serial number won't get you the part you would need for that machine. I DO want you to know that I don't REFUSE anyone. This makes it sound as if I hang up on them. I will do anything I can to help someone, but if they have bought a machine in Canada, there isn't much I can do except give them advice on who to call. My hands are tied when it comes to this.
Dick

By greek on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Hi
I was just wondering.If I came down to the States
for one of the rides and my Argo broke down,does that mean the ride would be finished for me since
my Argo and I are from Canada or would I be able
to get the parts I need?
Thanks
Pete

By amphibiousatv on Unrecorded Date: Edit

As far as the parts numbers being different. Lets say you needed a part for a Canadian machine. Can't they just see what the part number is for an American machine and put that in. I am sure that the company does not change the tooling when they make the machines for one country or another. If they do, they are wasting money by doing that. And if a dealer will not convert the numbers or look them up, all you have to do is ask someone on here that has a US machine to look at the parts number.

By Gary Hargis on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I have the solution for every one's problem here! Tow the line! By an American product (Max), it is a fine piece of equipment. You will pay less $$$ versus the Argo "cha ching" cash cow! I looked at buying an Argo for 10 years, and finally bought a Max instead.

By Eddie Beddingfield on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Gary , If you looked for ten years then you should of seen how well Argo is engineered over Max atv. Read the boards for wear items and general breakage. I just call'em like i see'em Eddie

By Gary Hargis on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Hello Eddie,

I have analyzed both the Max and Argo Products quite closely, and have test driven both products several times over the years. I am not knocking Argo's product as far a design and quality, I am however knocking their costing structure, for which I refer to as the (cash cow). If some one wants to buy an Argo at a reduced cost in Canada, then they should be able to that. If our dealer network in the states can't adjust their costs accordingly, then to bad, that is what free enterprize is all about. I think is great that there are a couple of different companies and products out there to choose from, that are very comparable in quality and design aspects.

Speaking as a engineer, both are fine products, strucurally and quality of design and build. The distinct seperation of the two brands in my opinion is the cost.

One could argue over how many break downs a Max has, versus an Argo product until your blue in the face. I also do remember one particular moose hunt up in Ontario, when my buddies brand new Argo Conquest broke a drive chain, at the worst point in our trip that it could happen. The unit was completely crippled and non functional. We ended up having to float it down a river, with paddles, just to get it some what closer to a point that we could have it towed out.

I just bought my Max unit last week, directly from the factory in Buffalo, NY. They made me an offer that I could not pass on, for a brand new Max IV-950T, with the new 27 HP 745 cc Kawasaki liquid cooled engine. I ended up getting the entire package out the door, including all of the add on options that I wanted installed, for less than the base retail cost of the Argo 6x6 Conquest, with the 20 HP liquid cooled Kawasaki engine. My new Max IV 950T, hands down exceeds the manufacturers rated specification when compared to the Argo 6x6 Conquest unit. And guess what, I do not even have to think or worry about who or where I buy spare parts from. Worse comes to worse, I can just call the factory, and they will drop ship me parts over night any where in North America, regardless of who gets hurt feeling over it.

Before I sealed the deal for the Max, I did e-mail my local Argo dealer here in Michigan, and gave them one final opportunity to offer me a more attractive deal, and they did not even bother to send me a reply to the e-mail. With that being the case, it was a no brainer as to what I was going to buy and from who. Don't get me wrong, it was not a bad experience with our local Argo dealer, I think that they just had nothing more to say or offer.

In the event that I ever have to get out and push or float my broke down Max IV, to get back home, I will do it with pride, still knowing that I bought a fine American Product. And besides, my Max does weigh a few pounds less, and has larger tires on it, so hopefully it will be an easier push or paddle home.

Thanks
Gary

By Missouri's Max Dealer (Brandon_price) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Hey Gary, be sure to give us a full review of your new 27hp Max IV once you get some time on it. You are the first person I've heard of that has one.

By Gary Hargis on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Hello Brandon,

I will definately provide some very interesting reviews on how my new Max IV-950T performs. I will be picking it up from the factory next week Wednesday. I will be taking it out west in September for deer and elk hunting, in the Rockies. The next trip it will see will be the first two weeks of October, I am taking it up into the New Quebec Territory, the sub artic tundra, to hunt Caribou, with my good friend the Cheif of the Naskapi Indians in Schefferville.

Up there we will probably put a couple of hundred miles on it, and go through some the harshest and rugged terrain on the planet. I will probably add some additional modifications to further protect the body, and probably modify the roll bar into a full roll cage. Some of the terrain that I will go through up there is difficult to even walk in, let alone drive any type of off road vehicle through. You have to see it and experience it first hand, to really understand just how remote, vast, and unforgiving it is up there. The Rookies out west will be good first test, prior to heading up north.

After that, then a drive trip up to Alaska will be next on the agenda. That trip is still in the planning stage for the moment. If the Max does me well on the other two expiditions, then I should be much better prepared to take on Alaska either next year or year after.

When I plan a major hunting expedition like these, I like to be as fully prepared as possible, for what ever may or may not happen. The key objective is to make it back home in healthy condition, have a great time, and if you are able to bring back most of the gear that you started out with, then you have done well.

I am really not into arguing with other people regarding which Brand is theoretically better than the other. Or listening to some dealer say that he will not sell parts to some person because it was not originally bought in his area. That is a bunch of crap, and I would be embarrassed if I made statements like that on behalf of my company! I work far a major automotive company, and if we made statements and policies like ODG has and their associated dealers, then we would expect to see our customers and business go down the tube.

Again I stand behind my research and analysis that I have made of both companies products, and I beleive that I have chosen the right product for my intended purpose, at a value that I can live with. I will say it again that Max IV-950T is a fine American made product, at a very reasonable value. If some one is looking to buy an AATV, for the first or second time, check out that unit, it is as good or better than the other comparable brand unit in its class.

I will gladly share some of my experiences on how the unit performed, after I have completed some of my planned expeditions.

Thank You
Gary

By Louisiana Mud-Bug on Unrecorded Date: Edit

( Gary Hargis )

I have a 2002 25 Hp Max IV , with 26 inch tires myself,,and I am very curious as to how well this new 27 HP, liquid cooled, Kawasaki performs in all conditions that an amphib would be suitable for. Please keep us imformed in the challenging places you have driven it.

By jakenmolly on Unrecorded Date: Edit

have argo/bigfoot,2000.when idling and give it throtle it puffs black smoke and hesitates just like its flooded.I,m a new owner of a argo.

By Dick Zerrien (Dealer) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

jakenmolly,
Your Bigfoot is running too rich. There is a fuel mixture screw on the side of the engine. If you like, you can email me and I will tell you how to fix it.

By Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max dealer (Fred4dot) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

jakenmolly, I would also check your air filter - some get too much oil on the foam prefilter and it plugs the fiber filter. If you cannot see light through it when you hold a trouble light in the center of it, wash it with soap and water and let it dry. You might need a new one. Bad gas and fuel line sludge affects a lot of machines. Also, a fouled spark plug can cause what you speak of. Assuming you have a Vanguard engine, it will run on one cylinder just fine at idle, but it will not have any power. Check your oil level, if it is overfull, you have a bad plug (have been pumping gas through). Be sure and change your oil if it has been diluted by gas.

I find that most problems (on machines that have been in service) are caused by something being wrong (engines do not just come out of adjustment).

By DanC on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Does any one know how many sections of track you should have on an 8x8 I/C Argo with 22" tires
The tracks I have are Argo brand
Thanks Dan

By fred sain on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Jakenmolley, loose valve covers will make your Briggs engine flood out. Take care not to over tighten.
DanC 36 per side.
Everyone, I am an ARGO DEALER, I have never heard of not selling used machines, out of a dealers area, or parts. ARGO does frown on selling new machines out of your area. I understand their reasoning behind the protection of a dealers area. We are not like the 4-wheeler dealers, who sell in huge volumes. We sell to a select crowd, who dares to go where others can not.

By DanC on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Thanks Fred,the ones that I have , only have 35 sec and I was able to get them on the machine could they be to short still???????

By fred sain on Unrecorded Date: Edit

DanC, if you can get them on, 35 is fine, the tighter they fit the better.

By DanC on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Thanks for the info Fred
Dan