Looking to Buy a Buggy, need advice

[JeremyfromPGH]

I'm new to the board and would like some help from you guys.

I've been looking to get a Buggy or Go Kart for my family to enjoy.

I'm currently looking at a 2007 Helix 2007 two seat 150cc (10 hp).

The guy is asking $1,000. My concern is that I might be too tall (6'2") to comfortably drive my kids around.

Any advice you guys can offer would be greatly appreciated.

[Bootboy1488]

My buddy is 6' 2" and he doesn't have a complaint about fitting into his

[JeremyfromPGH]

Thanks Bootboy. I did some searching online and found that I can buy a new 150cc buggy for $1300-1500. Is the Helix such a great buggy that it's worth $1,000?

[Bootboy1488]

Depends on what you plan to do with it. I beat the life out of mine constantly, so I get to fix alot. But it has taken the beating like a champ so far

[metalstudman1]

Read my post "Armed Forces vs. Helix" in the events section- Well worth the money

[BuggyMaster]

I think you will fit into a Helix better than most of the 150cc machines. More leg room.

[JeremyfromPGH]

Thanks for all of your input guys. I'm going to take a look and hopefully buy the Helix tomorrow.

[stugots]

I had a helix, and am 6'2" tall. I fit in it fine. Much better than my carbide for sure.

[SYCARMS]

Just make sure you go with a brand name. Helix is a good buggy. The front end steering is a bit weak in my opinion, and the seats are not comfortable. Although many like them I feel they are more for the young. The helix is the strip down model ASW offers.I think that is a bit much for a 4year old buggy. Check it out really good.

TOM

[JeremyfromPGH]

I never thought I would spend more time researching a buggy than a car! I was about to pull the trigger on the Helix 150cc for $900 when I saw a local ad for a Carter XTV 2150 with less than 8 hours on it for $700.

Do you know what year Carter stopped making this model because I can't find much information on it?

It seems as though the major difference between the Helix and Carter is that the Helix has reverse and the Carter doesn't. The guy selling the Carter told me that reverse isn't a big deal. I was only able to test drive it on the asphalt and he warned me in advance that the steering radius isn't great on the road because of the tires. With the longer wheel base, would the Carter be harder to manuever in the woods, which would make having reverse that much more important?

My dilemma is how much reverse on the Helix is worth. It is $300 more and I'll have to
drive 3 hours round trip to pick it up.

I have to make a decision today on the Carter XTV 2150 by the end of the day.

If you were in my situation buying a starter buggy (not looking to go crazy, just have fun w/ my kids in the woods), would you buy the Carter XTV 2150 or the Helix 150?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[BuggyMaster]

I would go with the Helix. We love reverse. Here's something to think about: The Carter plant burned to the ground last year. Good luck getting parts for it! The Helix? American Sportworks is alive and well and the parts are cheap. Two big deal breakers for the Carter as far as I am concerned.

[SYCARMS]

Buggymaster is correct, parts for the Carter especially the newer ones are almost impossible to get. I had never run into a Carter with no reverse. I would see if he would come down a bit on the Helix. But I would deffinately go with the Helix over the Carter for now.

TOM

[JeremyfromPGH]

Thanks for the advice guys. It is greatly appreciated. I was really worried about the no reverse on the the Carter because it is has such a long wheelbase. It would suck to have to jump out every time I'm not able to make a turn in the woods.

Great point about the plant burning down. I left a voicemail for the Helix owner. Hopefully he didn't sell it over the weekend.

If you guys run across any 150cc or 250cc buggies in PA, WV or OH, please let me know.

Thanks
Jeremy

[Bootboy1488]

American sportworks are awesome to deal with bro (helix). I have literally beat my helix like it owes me money. There has been minor damage to it. Cheap and easy fixes. And reverse is well worth the price difference($200) in your case. Alot of turns will challenge a buggy unless you romp around them. I'd say go with the helix. But do try to haggle the price some

[JeremyfromPGH]

Update on my first buggy purchase. I was all set to go with the Helix and tried haggle him down but the lowest he would go is $950.

I sent a text to the guy with the Carter XTV 2150 (listed at $800 but haggled to $700) that I test drove earlier this week telling him that I was going to pass on his $700 offer.

He told me when I test drove it that he won the buggy last year in a contest at work so anything he sells it for will be pure profit. He then replied to my text with an offer of $450.

Now I'm back to square one. I'm thinking about buying this buggy (no mechanical issues)as a starter buggy and then possibly upgrading if the 150cc isn't enough juice.

Any thoughts?

[metalstudman1]

Wow! what a whirlwind of buggies you've been looking at. The Carter is well worth $450.

[SYCARMS]

For $450.00 if there are no issues and runs good then I would go for it. For $300.00 to $400.00 you can always install the reverse unit. Do you have any pics of it you could post?

TOM

[BuggyMaster]

Hit him up @ $400. never hurts to ask. If you can get into it for that (or $450 even really) then that changes everything as you would be able to check it out for cheap. Is that carter ready to ride or does it need any kind of work?

[JeremyfromPGH]

I officially joined the club today. Thanks to everyone for the advice.

I decided on the Carter Bros 150cc 12hp 2 seater with less than 8 hours on it. The buggy was initially listed on Craigslist for $800 but after I walked away, the guy came back at $450. We sealed the deal at $400.

Best of all, there is nothing wrong with the buggy, ready to ride. The guy had to get rid of it. I'll post some pics tomorrow.

[SYCARMS]

[metalstudman1]

Welcome-It's a mighty exclusive club! Don't tell the wife.

[SYCARMS]

Oh but that don't work. They can sniff differant bills in your wallet, they can even sniff out the money put into your buggy, and all from hundreds of feet away.
TOM

[metalstudman1]

Your wife and mine are sisters?

[SYCARMS]

Aren't they all related?
Tom