I can't tell if the PM is working or not so here is my ideas on looking to buy a used atv.
Chris, the 2000 Big Bear is what my friend bought and what I rode. It was the same year I bought the Kawasaki Mule 550. What changed in the 2001 model I am not really sure. I was trying to find an old review of the Big Bears but it must have been archived. I couldn't find it.
Yes that is the place by my house. I've never seen their web site before.
On a used atv, I would look for the obvious first.
Racks:How do the racks look? Are they actually bent? Worn paint is not big deal, but bent tubing could indicate that the thing has either been over loaded or turned over in a wreck.
Body plastic. Do all colored body parts match? Are they the same color. If one fender or of the front plastic is not the same (brighter or darker) than the rear plastic, then it could mean that the original plstic was so damaged that it had to be replaced. Theres a difference in a well used and a abused ATV, so if there are any bolts or screws attaching the plastic to the frame that appear to be brand new or do not match the others then I would ask why??
Front bumper. If it is really bent then possibly some kid was driving the atv like a bumper car. Slight dents and dings are to be expected on an atv, but bumper tubing that is not level when viewed from the front or that has a serious dent could also idicate a bad wreck that has been covered up.
Handle Bars/Front Wheels. They should line up. When the handle bars are aligned as if you were going to drive forward in a straight line, look at the front tires. Are they facing perfectly forward? If they are not both pointing in the same direction together then it could be as simple sa needed some adjustments up front, or it could ean that an A-arm has been damaged, tie rod is bent, wheel itself is bent,, steering column (shaft) is out of adjustment or has been damaged by a hard bump/crash to the front end or is simply worn pout from a million hours and miles.
Start it up, should fire it easily. Immediately notice whether or not there is any smoke that exits the exhaust pipe. There shouldn't be any noticiable on a 4 stroke motor. Let it run long enough to come to operating temperature. Does it smoke now? Does it hesitate when you pumch the throttle? Put it in gear, and go. Does it hesitate, sputter or go? If it is a liquid or oil cooled ATV, check for leaks both before and after it has been run long enough to reach operating temperature. What color is the oil? Milky looking oil might indicate water in the oil which means the atv has been in deep water and not maintained properly. Clear looking fresh oil indicates that it was just changed and hasn't been run much since. Oil should be fairly dark which indicates that it has been run through the motor, but if it is burnt looking or smelling then it probably hasn't been changed in a while.
Front or rear Differential. Listen for noise as you drive it. There really shouldn't be anything too noticable, like clicking or popping noises.
Tires. Are they totally worn out? Are they original size? Oversize tires are cool, but might indicate that the ATV has been ridden pretty hard mudding one mud hole after another. Are they worn evenly? Like an auto with a front end out of alignment, atv tires worn inside or outside edge could indicate that the front end has sustained some kind of trauma that has caused the front tires to wear unevenly.
If you have kids, I would recommend either getting now or saving up and buying a side by side vehicle like the Rhino or Mule. Being able to safely take the kids along is so awsome! They will so love being out there with you and will learn to love atving as well. Not sure what he is asking for the atv's there, but you can get into a nice side by side for little more than a full size atv.. Kawasaki's new Mule 610 is getting good reviews. It is a 401cc single, 2WD or 4WD selectable, 400# capacity dump bed, bench seat etc.. SOme guys are buying the 610 for $6000 out the door.
It sounds high, but going side by side made for wonderful times with my wife and the kids...
Hope all that stuff helps you.
