Do you seem to be spending a lot of time renting ATVs? If so, it may be time to save some cash by purchasing your own vehicle. Who would not want to hit the dirt tracks on their own machine?

The truth is, even after purchase, ATVs can be expensive to run and maintain. Below, we discuss the benefits of ATV rentals against buying an ATV so that you can make an informed decision.

Why You Should Consider ATV Rentals

The first consideration you should consider when thinking about renting is, how often are you going to use the ATV? If you take them out once or twice in a season, then spending your money on your own vehicle does not make sense. On top of that, you will have to pay for fuel, maintenance and insurance.

By renting and ATV do not need to find space to store it. All you have to do is book the vehicle, collect the keys and return it at the end of the day.

Cost is also a determining factor. Perhaps you do not have the budget to buy the ATV you want. Bear in mind that many ATV costs advertised will not include fees, such as shipping and the setup fees.

Once you have paid these, you still need ATV insurance. Then you have all the safety gear to buy. Goggles, helmets and boots do not come cheaply.

Further still, you have to commit time as well as money to maintain an ATV. If you do not service it regularly, it will deteriorate quickly and not hold its value. This may include replacing worn parts that could be expensive.

Transporting the ATV can also be troublesome if you own one. If you are going on a ride a few hundred miles away, it means packing up the ATV in the back of a van or on a trailer, then driving the whole thing to the destination. With a rental, you can enjoy a relaxed drive and hire one when you get there.

ATV Rental Cons

One of the cons of ATV rental can be the cost. This really does not matter for a few trips, but regular users will soon see the money mounting up.

If you decide to take the rental ATV for a harsh ride and damage it, you will also pay the price. Many ATV rental companies have high insurance excess, so they may end up charging you a premium for damages. With your own ATV, you can make your own decisions on how far you want to push the vehicle.

Another con is that you could end up on a different type of ATV every time you rent, depending upon what they have available. With sports and recreation ATVs, you get two very different machines. Add this to the various engines, models and manufacturers, and the ride will be different every time.

ATV Buying Pros

If you are a regular ATV user, it makes more sense to buy your own. Renting may mean that you are on a different ATV each time. Like cars, different ATVs have their own style and driving capabilities, some of which you may not like.

It may not always be possible to book the ATV you want. Buying one ensures that you have the ATV you want, whenever you want it.

Renting all the time, especially over a few years, will soon mount up in costs. Offset this against the low price of some used ATV models, and buying makes more sense.

You also know the machine and how reliable it is. Rental models, by their very nature, take a pounding from people who do not own them. All of this takes its toll, and while a renter may give them good services and keep them in shape, how well do you know and trust the person you are renting from?

If you have your own ATV, you also have to buy the equipment that goes with it. Of course, this costs more money, but do you really want to be renting used gear? Especially when you have no idea of its history and usage.

A helmet could have been hit before and may not be safe enough to wear. Boots, gloves and googles may have been used by others before, which can be very unsanitary. If you trust the renter, they may have cleaned them well, but how much do you trust them?

ATV Buying Cons

The cons of buying an ATV are the cost. Although you can get some great deals and bargains, ATVs can be expensive, particularly if you want the latest models. Add to this the tax, shipping fee, set up cost and insurance, and it can cost a fortune before you even drive it home.

Once this is done, you need somewhere to store it. This may need a new barn, outhouse or garage building. Leaving the ATV out over winter will age it quicker and deduct from its long term value.

Once stored, you need all the gear to go with it. Helmets, gloves, boots, and protective clothing all add to the value. Never think about skimping on cost when it comes to a helmet.

ATV Insurance

ATV insurance can cover a wide range of people, from singular users to people renting out vehicles. If you rent, your insurance will be covered in the fee. However, if you buy your own ATV, you will need insurance.

You do not want to be liable for any damages caused by your ATV. This could be accidental damage caused to others in the event of a crash, or if someone you know loans your ATV and has an accident. You may also want to insure it from theft or fire.

For anyone buying, you will need personal liability insurance. This will protect you from any claims resulting in accidents caused by you when handling the ATV.

Buying an ATV

If you are still thinking of buying an ATV, you need to start by working out a budget. The price of new ATVs always has a setup fee and transportation included, so it may appear more expensive than they initially are. Consider this once you have your budget, and decide if you will buy a new or used vehicle.

Benefits of a New ATV

Nothing feels as good as getting a new ATV. If you have ever driven a brand new car off the yard, then you will know the feeling. Everything shines, and you have the comfort of knowing no one but you has driven the vehicle.

This is a great plus point. You know the vehicle’s history, and it has been manufacturer tested and set up by the dealership. It is unlikely to have any problems for a few years, and if it does, you should get a warranty with it anyway.

In addition, you are driving the ATV you want. If you have experience riding ATVs, you will have developed a preference. This may be between a manufacturer, if it is a utility or sport, or even the model.

Of course, a used ATV will always win on price. But that does not mean you can not find great deals on new ATV vehicles. In fact, many manufacturers offer a rebate if you are trading in old models.

Dealerships will also drop last season’s models in price if they are hanging around the forecourt too long. An ATV that is not selling is taking up space in their yard, and it makes more sense for them to discount it, get a little less and replace it with a newer model.

Benefits of a Used ATV

The benefit of buying a used ATV is the price. You can get some awesome bargains if you shop around, but you can just as well get an ATV ready for the scrap yard. When looking, always take someone with you who knows what they are doing and can check the vehicle over.

Whether you buy from a dealership or from a private sale is entirely up to you. The benefit of a private sale is that you are more likely to find out the ATV history. Knowing its previous drivers can give you some indication as to how it was used and kept.

A dealership’s benefits are that they will most likely have given it a service and good clean before trying to sell it. Any parts will most likely have been replaced to a fairly decent standard.

Always take a used ATV for a ride before buying. Check the body for any dings, dents or bent parts. These are indicators that it has been in a crash at some point.

Renting Against Buying

In summary, it all comes down to your budget and how often you use the vehicle. ATV rentals have less of a financial obligation, but if you are constantly renting and ATV riding becomes a hobby, buying is the answer.

If you are looking to rent an ATV in Manitoba, Alberta, Ontario, or Saskatchewan, make Westshore Marine and Leisure our first stop. We have a range of vehicles, that also includes a range of boats and snowmobiles. Check out our ATV rental prices, and ride away today on a top-of-the-range ATV!