RE: If you had about $5k to spend on an ATV...
Now is a great time to buy an ATV. The dealers are trying to get rid of the 04's. In my case, they had a left over 03. Yamaha Kodiak 400 2wd Automatic. I got it for $4,000 out the door. You can get a Rancher or Yamaha Bruin for around $4k (2wd). I almost bought a Bruin, until I spotted the Kodiak. They are all good machines these days.