I'm looking at a used '99 500 4x4. This will be my first ATV and I just wanted to make sure it will be a good investment. Is there anything I should watch out for with it being this old? Was there anything bad with the Arctic Cats from that year?

 

Cant find a owners review on a 99 but here is a couple on a 2001. http://www.powersportsnetwork....t_vehicle.asp?veh=2116 I think the AC 500 is more ore less the same quad without a lot of mechanical changes over the years and you never hear much bad news about them.

Go by condition on a ATV NOT Year I bought a used 2001 and turned down a few 2004 and even a 05 because they had more and rougher miles on them.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: StephenL

I'm looking at a used '99 500 4x4. This will be my first ATV and I just wanted to make sure it will be a good investment. Is there anything I should watch out for with it being this old? Was there anything bad with the Arctic Cats from that year?</end quote></div>

You'll be fine. You can start a project that will cost you about $50. and basically bring back the machine to new.
Clean your air filter really good.
Change oil & filter - clean the oil screen (need to remove the skid plate for this)
Change differential fluid
Replace all worn rubber bushings to your shocks and A-arms.
Repack your wheel bearings and put new seals in.
Check your brake pads and replace them if needed.
Check your CV boots for leaks and replace if needed. (You can also remove one band and put some new grease in there).
Check your steering bushings and tie-rod ends.
Adjust your valves.
Put some carb/injector cleaner in with your gas - maybe some Marvel Mystery Oil also.
Run only 87 octane. (is explodes and burns hotter than mid or premium grade)
Put in a new spark plug.
Your good to go..................

 

Thanks for the responses. Very helpful.

 

I bought a 2000 arctic cat 500 auto 2200 us its a great atv spent about 150 dollars redid the valves an new rings an gaskets and serviced everything but well worth it.

 

The octane rating that is given to fuel is actually the fuels ability to resist preignition. Premium fuel is also more refined than 87 octane. Niether regular or premium fuel burns hotter than the other, one is just cleaner burning than the other and more refined! Preignition is when fuel is ignited before top dead center, due to glowing particles in the cylinder, such as carbon or ash. Having a higher resistance to preignition allows the piston to compress the fuel to a higher level before ignition occurs, thus producing more power and a cleaner burn and leaving less ash and carbon build up in your engine! I burn premium fuel in everything i own! I have done many studies on this topic because of the ever popular question, Is premium fuel better than regular and will it give me more horse power? This is why in older more worn engines it is recommended to run premium fuel and possibly even octane boost to get rid of knocks and pings and restore some power and throttle response!

 

well i acquired a 97 ac 454 for 400$$ , but it was a rolling chassis with a engine. Ive spent almost 4 thousand gettin it to better then stock. & now its sitting at the dealer since the charging system went out & its way over my head. so gonna have about 5 grand when its finished.

so their right choose your first one very wisely if its used, it might just be too much to handle.