I don't know or haven't ever really gave a crap about predators but I have a chance to pick up an clean 03 with pipe and paddles for $3800. Seems like a deal I can't pass up. Just want something until I see how the new raptor 700 and the zuki 450 perform. What are the good and the bad points of this bike?

from what i have heard, the 03's have a somewhat notchy trans and a different swing arm and rear hubs than the 04 and 05's. ive got an 04 50th anniversary edition-love it. they are heavy compared to the 450s but they have a good engine, shocks and brakes. check it out well before you buy if you dont know the history of it. IE compression, clutch, check the frame etc etc

I love mine. We also have a YFZ450 so it is easy to compare. The YFZ450 is a better machine, however, the Predator is still a great quad and a lot cheaper. The comfort is better than the YFZ but it weighs more and you can feel that on jumps and while cornering. I changed the rear sproket / chain for the sand and added a pipe. It does pretty well, hanging in there with the YFZ up Oldsmobile Hill. Where the YFZ and the Honda TRX win out is cornering and jumping. Having said that, I can ride the Predator all day while I can only ride the YFZ for about an hour. It does seem to beat this old dude up a lot more. I haven't ridden the Honda enough but the little time I did, it really felt comfortable. $3,800 sounds like a great price and I can see why you wouldn't want to pass it up.

the 03 preddy has some issues with 3rd gear in the trannies, i have never had any issues at all with my 03 though. also have seen some cracked fromaes from hard hard abuse (ei racing) the swing arm is longer onthe 03 than the newer ones and the rear hub pattern for the wheels is an old banshee pattern. the predators have incredible stability compared to the honda yamaha 450's i think, i felt like i was going to tip over on 450s wheni rode them compared to my predator. power wise stock to stock they are very comparable, the 450's with simple bolt ons though are faster.

I've had a EX400 and a Z400 then I got my Predator and its by far the best quad I've ridden ever

Thanks for the input but I went with a 450R until something else comes out

A predator is a decent machine... comfortable and not too bad on the wallet. Except when it comes to repairing. Not too many shops take those in... but they hardly ever break down.