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Steve Auger
New member
Username: Bcsteve
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 01, 2007 - 06:28 pm: | 
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I've been visiting this site for a few years and always been interested in the Argo. I'm finally in a position to by an Argo this year. The Bigfoot had been the model I had intention of getting but now the new Frontier is interesting. I've already read the great review the Frontier is getting. There should be a few used Bigfoot available soon with the Frontier coming out. Should I keep my eyes open for a used Bigfoot or is the extra $$ for a new Frontier well worth it? |
Missouri's Max and Argo Dealer
Advanced Member
Username: Brandon_price
Post Number: 182
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 02, 2007 - 01:02 pm: |
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The 6x6 you should get completely depends on how much you want to spend. The Frontier cannot be beat if you want to lay down the cash. I'm sure a 2000 or so model year Bigfoot can be bought for half the price. If you go for the used Bigfoot, I recommend that you DO NOT test drive the Frontier! |
Steve Auger
New member
Username: Bcsteve
Post Number: 2
Registered: 12-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 02, 2007 - 01:25 pm: |
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Well, you just answered my question. I'll wait a couple more months and get the Frontier. If I'm going to put the money down for an Argo that will last me for several years might has well go with the latest features. I saw on your other post that you seemed to like the new Argo tire (beefed up runamuk), do you think that they are superior to the Bigfoot Rawhide even though they don't look as aggressive or as wide. |
will kober
New member
Username: Akfj40
Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 02, 2007 - 02:11 pm: |
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you wont be sorry i love mine and actually like it better than my conquest i used to have. |
momobigfoot
New member
Username: Momobigfoot
Post Number: 3
Registered: 09-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2007 - 05:15 pm: |
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Steve, were do you live? You should ride or drive something befor you get one. May be sorry if you don't. My old Bigfoot goes about anywhere. Most of the time it's the driver not the machine. I've rode with some that probably had more expensive better machines than me, but I've made it threw stuff they didn't or they strugle threw. It would be ez to get someone around you to take you out and show you. |
Steve Auger
New member
Username: Bcsteve
Post Number: 4
Registered: 12-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 01:11 am: |
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I'm in BC, Canada. I will test ride one before I buy for sure. The Bigfoot is what I was looking for, shorter and more maneuverable than an 8x8, 18hp and big tires for extra ground clearance. But now the Frontier has all that and more. I just don't want to spend a bunch of money and start already behind the new improvements. I'd rather spend a few more thousands and start with the latest and be good for a while. Thanks for the advice. |
steve young
Member
Username: Gearhead
Post Number: 36
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 07:46 am: |
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STEVE -you got the right idea the newer the ARGO the better the saying (they don't make them like they use to )does not apply to ARGO they get better the newer they are.The FRONTIER has the new transmission with no reverse idler gear whine and helical-cut gears,less stretching 60 chain on all drive componants,great chain slack adjusters throughout, bearing extensions front and rear, better tires ,more ground clearence,plenty of power ,on-board charging system, new lower tub and upper body design.About every 10 years O.D.G. has a total redesign they just don't add a bigger motor and a hood to cover it like other amphibious atv companies that continue with the same 70's look & style. |
Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max dealer
Advanced Member
Username: Fred4dot
Post Number: 215
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: 
Votes: 7 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 02:08 pm: |
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Steve Young, your comments are inflammatory. RI has always had a better design than Argo and Argo is constantly trying to play "catch-up". There is no reason to change the design if it is clearly superior and doing its job. RI is consistently improving individual parts as "better" ones are developed (axles, bearings, chains - RI has been using o-ring chains since 1996 on some models) not just putting in bigger engines. RI had a solid rubber track in 1998 for all models; Argo has just introduced one last year for the Avenger. Maybe Low PSI on the ground doesn't matter to some, but to others it is the difference between being able to go or not; being a usable machine.
Has Argo caught up in the performance arena with the Frontier and the Avenger? Maybe, but I doubt it. All the Argos out weigh the corresponding Max and all our machines are limited to using the tires on the market. Argo still chooses to use a ten inch wide tire on several models which is great if you are going for traction, but makes the need for a winch and hip boots mandatory if you will be in the soft stuff.
No doubt, Argo has a good marketing department and assures its dealers that they will make a good sized profit on every sale, but just because the dealer makes money does not mean that you have bought a better machine. I can't believe that Argo has not bent over backwards to correct John Prince's problem with his Frontier brakes, but no, they offer to sell him a new brake handle for $100.00 (really good warranty).
The Max machines are at the top of the performance charts and the best deal for the buyer (others might look better to some and cost more (be a better profit generator for the dealer)). And in the unlikely event that you have a problem, Recreative's customer service is second to none - if a dealer can't solve the problem, the factory will! |
steve young
Member
Username: Gearhead
Post Number: 37
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: 
Votes: 4 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 06:05 pm: |
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FRED-I'm sorry you have been flammatorized but I just state what I see and sometimes the truth is hard for some dealers to deal with. I'm sure the profit for any dealer is not very much for the volume of sales they do for any amphibious atv and I thank my dealer DON SILLS ARGO for any deal he can give me and due to your comment I think I will call him and ask if he sells hip boots with the ARGO logo on them that I will wear proudly while I'm winching out of the soft stuff.LOL |
will kober
New member
Username: Akfj40
Post Number: 7
Registered: 11-2006
Rating:
Votes: 3 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 07:01 pm: |
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how old are you fred 12? |
Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max dealer
Advanced Member
Username: Fred4dot
Post Number: 216
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: 
Votes: 3 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 07:49 pm: |
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Steve Y, that's a good idea, I hear there is lots of mark-up in clothes - would probably be a profitable extra for all Argo dealers.
Will, check my profile under age, DOB means date of birth. I'm guessing you can do the math, but might be my error! |
Josh
New member
Username: Mccastlej
Post Number: 7
Registered: 12-2006
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 08:24 pm: |
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They both have their good points, and bad points. I myself think that Argo builds a tougher machine. Building a tougher machine requires thicker and stronger materials which bring about more weight. I myself like to have the engine in front instead of in the rear, but it's just a personal preference. Being a dealer, I wouldn't bother chiming in which is better, I'd just talk about the good points of the machine I was selling instead of putting down a bunch of AATV owners that might have bought from you, but read your post and went elsewhere. No matter what brand people buy their is a horror story behind everything. |
Jerry R. Nuss, Max Dealer in Illinois
Senior Member
Username: Jerrynuss
Post Number: 413
Registered: 02-2005
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 08:56 pm: |
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Josh, you make a valid point everyone has a personal preference and after a person has bought a machine they will defend their decision...even with the nightmares or they will hate the brand. I am curious why you prefer the engine in the front. I found several problems with the engine in the front for my application. About brands I have a couple of Max IIs in for service that I wish I would have never seen. Not a problem with the design, just a problem with the previous owners driving them to death and not maintaining them. They then sold them to some unsuspecting people and ripped them off. Now the people that own the machines will have a bad experience "nightmare" with the brand and base their opinion on the abused machines they purchased. They may still think they have the best brand or they may hate it and look to another brand. When needing parts for Argo I've had fantastic service from Fred Sain and highly recommend him. Richard Clark has also been a fantastic source of information and parts. I sell Max but I ride with anyone and see no merit to arguing about which is better. I like the look of the Frontier and Avenger more than the Max but the Max look is a sort of trademark and it is easy to know what it is with just a glance. Another thing people may not consider is Recreatives is a small company and they build the Max and the Buffalo, nothing else. Argo is a much larger company and is a division of a larger parent company with more finances and resources. Sure I would like to see some new Max body designs but when it comes down to use after the initial impression it doesn't matter than much. And the 70's design sort of grows on a person. |
Fred Sowerwine, Montana's Max dealer
Advanced Member
Username: Fred4dot
Post Number: 217
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 08:56 pm: |
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Josh, I always just try to state facts. I'm not trying to sell anything to anyone, I just want people to read and compare the specs and make an informed decision. Opinions (like yours) are great, but they need to be supported by facts if they are to be relied on. People shouldn't say the theater is on fire unless it really is on fire I have a tendency to refute that which I think is wrong (and I think Steve Young's comment was wrong).
Anyone who decides to buy an Argo instead of a Max because they don't like what I have to say has more serious problems than "having just bought an Argo". I'm sorry, but horror stories should be in the movies (and often are figments of ones imagination) but when one has a legitimate problem, it should be addressed and corrected.
Wonder why it is that some of my posts stir things up so? |
will kober
New member
Username: Akfj40
Post Number: 8
Registered: 11-2006
Rating:
Votes: 3 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 10:06 pm: |
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fred dont take this wrong but you say you are stating facts and it seems to be opinon to me.
you like max thats cool, and others like argo no need to hijack a mans thread and tell us how "superior" your rig is over others. the max dealers in alaska are all but gone, i dont think we even have any, but we have the worlds largest and most succesfull argo dealership, which has excellent dealer and factory support does that make them better machines? maybe not but instead of bashing argos, give the man some insight like missouri's max/argo. |
Josh
New member
Username: Mccastlej
Post Number: 8
Registered: 12-2006
Rating:
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 05, 2007 - 10:55 pm: |
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I've never had any problem with Argo support, and I have a 1974. The people were more than friendly, and went out of their way for me. Just cause someone is a dealer doesn't mean they are not a JERK. I'd report the problems that you have directly to ODG. If I had problems with a Max dealer I'd contact RI. I can say that Richard Clark has been really helpful, and so has West Michigan Argo! |
Missouri's Max and Argo Dealer
Advanced Member
Username: Brandon_price
Post Number: 186
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 06, 2007 - 02:35 pm: |
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Let's get the topic back on track. In the third post of this thread, Steve Auger asks about the new Argo tire compared to the Rawhide. Steve, I am still very curious to see the new Argo tire perform first hand in some serious mud to make an accurate comparison to the Rawhide. I thought the Argo tire could be wider, but it has totally amazed me with everything it has done so far. Right now there are so few used Frontiers that I don't have a machine that I can just drill into the ground like I normally do. I do know that the Frontier swims great and climbs out of the steepest lake banks I can find. I did have a chance to run a Frontier in deep snow recently, I don't know if you have read that story. The Frontier easily proved itself in snow as it was able to go where no Max or older Argo 6x6 or 8x8 could (did not have an Avenger to try, but I bet it would have equaled the Frontier). It literally left other amphibs stuck in its tracks. |
Steve Auger
New member
Username: Bcsteve
Post Number: 5
Registered: 12-2006
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 06, 2007 - 07:25 pm: |
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Fist of all this is not a Max vs Argo thread, it's an Argo vs Argo. There's plenty of Max vs Argo thread is some of you want to keep arguing over this topic. Thanks Brandon for bringing this back on track and you opinion on the new Argo tires. I sent an email to John Schwab and he'll hopefuly have a video with some Frontier footage from a ride from this weekend. I'll have to get a copy and see some action. |
Jack Ouellette
Member
Username: Beungood
Post Number: 38
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 07, 2007 - 12:36 am: |
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Anyone have video of the Avenger both tracked and wheeled and also the Frontier?
How does each machine compare to each other? speed, off road wheeled/tracked and top speed?
Frontier's track fit on over it's new tires or do they have to have seperate smaller tires? |
will kober
New member
Username: Akfj40
Post Number: 9
Registered: 11-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 07, 2007 - 08:55 am: |
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yes the tracks will fit over the new frontier tires.
top speed of avenger is a little bit more with tires, as with anything tracks will limit your high speed.
Jack if you have a dealer nearby ask him if he has one of the new argo videos, it has all the machines on it and might help with what your looking for. its over a hour long good stuff |
steve young
Member
Username: Gearhead
Post Number: 38
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 07, 2007 - 10:21 am: |
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STEVE - I had a 2000 ARGO CONQUEST that I put 920 HOURS on that has the old transmission like all the BIGFOOT models have and at first the machine is new and you get use to all the noises but as the hours went on the whine of the transmission finally gets to you with the convertible top on it was unbearable to me without hearing protection the reverse idler gear is always turning even going forward; its like backing up a standard transmission vehicle, you hear that whine because it uses an idler gear that is spur cut(strait tooth) but only engaged while in reverse.The ARGO transmission is fairly quiet until the gear oil gets hot and not as thick.Finally I had enough and sold it and bought a brand new AVENGER because of all the new features but the new style transmission was the main reason.I feel the AVENGER is 3 times the machine the CONQUEST was;and the FRONTIER is probally the same.This is just my opinion on this topic and is not intended to offend anyone or their machine. |
Derek Hubbard
Member
Username: Justmax
Post Number: 46
Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 07, 2007 - 12:05 pm: |
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Hello Everyone.
I am the guy who likes to ask questions. Is the new transmision interchangable with the old transmission. I know the Orrs put a new one in their hot rod Argo, but that was a custom job built for racing. In my opinion , I think people with late model Argos would to have the option of upgrading their machines like the owners of Maxes can.
Derek |
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