I just saw an 06 AC400 sell for new $4200OTD with a snowplow! I believe the 250 is selling for $3500-3800?

I Think a 400-500 AC will go for between $4500-$5500 if you shop around. I have been told (by a former ATV dealer owner) that you can take about $500 a year off the new price for each year used down to about 50-60% of its original value. (as long as it is not older than 10yrs)

Using this a $5500 new AC machine it will reach its $3300 (or 60% value) in 4-5yrs and will remain around the $3300 price range for about 5yrs. He cautioned purchasing anything older than 10yrs. I personally have not seen the prices drop that quickly but I think it has to do with what a dealer would offer for "trade-in" and what a dealer would sell it for as used. This does not take into consideration things like, mileage, appearance, general condition, non-stock tires, accessories, etc. As these are personal prefference items.

To give you an idea about two months ago I was looking at a 2007 AC 500 manual FIS with the 2500# winch installed. It had been used by the dealer as a demo model and had about 100miles on it. He wanted $5200 OTD. I tried to talk him into selling it to me for $5000 with a plow. He declined and it is still sitting on his showroom floor. I may talk to him again soon to see if he changed his mind.

SJ

 

i was also looking at the AC 366 for my wife, and i was just wondering is there something mechanicly wrong with the kymco based machine or is it just personal preferance seeing how the 366 replaced a machine that was, as all of you say, superior to it

 

4X4 hands down. You will wish you had it, I gaurantee it.

 

Tom,

From what I have read, and seen the AC 366 was developed in response to "customer demands" for a narrower more nimble ATV in the 400cc range. I believe the 366 is about 5 inches shorter and narrower than the previous 400/500 models and it sits closer to the ground to make it more stable for new riders. It has the Susuki CVT automatic Transmission with electronic 4x4 shifting. I also read that it has a 366cc H1 air cooled engine. The engine is made by KYMCO of Taiwan for Arctic Cat. The whole machine is designed by AC but the engine is "outsourced" to KYMCO.

KYMCO has been in Europe with scooters and bikes for quite some time. They have just recently started making ATV's and UTV's. So my reluctance to say its a good engine/machine comes from the fact that I personally do not know its track record. I am however, very familiar with other products that are "made in Taiwan". Some good, but most are not good just cheaper.

My personal opinion is that AC made a big mistake by "outsourcing" the 400cc engine to KYMCO. If I had to choose beteen a 400cc KYMCO engine with a Suzuki CVT tranny OR a Suzuki 400cc engine with a Suzuki CVT Tranny I would buy the Suzuki engine and tranny every time. In fact I am looking for another 400cc class ATV right now. If I cannot find an older AC that has the Suzuki eng and trans I will probably look at buying a Suzuki ATV.

One of my biggest reasons is that I have seen WAY too many of the "cheap" ATV's from China, Taiwan, etc. that are just junk. Also, when you need parts you cannot get them. This may change but time will tell.

SJ

 

swampyjunior i really appriciate that info, the atv dealer that i go to has both the 366 and the 400 and you can see that the 400 is wider longer and taller than the 366

 

if it where me.. and mudding was not HIGH on my list, I would go with a 2x4.. its 100+ lbs lighter, 1/2 the maintainance, fewer parts to break, and cheaper..

oh, yeah, more nimble, better fuel range, and when you are stuck, getting out is that much easier..

 

This is the 2009 Arctic Cat Lineup : DVX 50 , DVX 90 / 90 SE , DVX 300 , 50 2x4 , 90 2x4 SE , 150 , 250 2x4 , 366 ( these are all powered by Kymco engines ) followed by the 700 EFI SE , 700 MUDPRO , 700 EFI , 550 EFI ( AC Powered ) next is the 500 EFI , 500 AUTO / 500 MANUAL ( Suzuki Powered ) TRV 1000 EFI CRUISER , TRV 700 EFI CRUISER , TRV 550 EFI ( AC Powered ) next is the TRV 400 ( Still Powered by the Suzuki 376cc AUTO Duramatic Belt Driven Tranny ) THUNDERCAT 1000 EFI , Then there's the Prowler Side x Side's ) PROWLER XTZ 1000 EFI , PROWLER XTX 700 EFI , PROWLER XT 650 , PROWLER 550 EFI FLATBED ( AC Powered ) ; all TRVs are built on a stretched wheelbase chassis with a 2-in. lower ride height offering solid handling and ample rider/passenger comfort !

The TRV 550 and TRV 400 are both new for 2009 offering lower - priced alteratives to the 2 - up line.

Handling on these big bikes is surprisingly nimble , due to a 2 in. "sit in " ride height and massaging of the 12 in. wheel/tire combo ; this info comes from from my fall 2008 ARCTIC CAT RIDE Magazine .......

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: jeffeosso
if it where me.. and mudding was not HIGH on my list, I would go with a 2x4.. its 100+ lbs lighter, 1/2 the maintainance, fewer parts to break, and cheaper..

oh, yeah, more nimble, better fuel range, and when you are stuck, getting out is that much easier..</end quote></div>
I am certainly looking for an atv with low maintenance. I presently do all of my own maintenance on my 200cc, air cooled, single cylinder motorcycle. I enjoy learning about my motorcycle, scheduling the maintenance at my convenience, and knowing that the job has been done properly! I also appreciate simplicity in design and fewer parts to break. Because of these factors, I have become a big fan of single cylinder, air cooled, dual sport motorcycles. Do these concepts also apply to atvs? If so, would you mind elaborating a little bit? As I said, I am a complete newbie. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img] Considering these factors, I might really enjoy owning, and learning to maintain, the smaller 2x4 atv. Mudding is definitely not HIGH on my list, either.

Spud [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Like a truck, the 4x4 has alot more parts.. it has to transmit power to the front wheels by chain, belt, or shaft (lots of parts and weight) going to a front differential and axles, and CV joints.. gears, bearing parts, that aren't on a 2x4.. then lots of zerc fittings to greaze, seals to maintain, boots to protect, and WEIGHT


Heck, read the article on the 1998 AC 300 2x4 and 4x4 .. it lays out weight pretty well.

I have lakotas as my current riding "herd" because I do all my own work. Other than the risk of changing out tierods, front end maintainance consists of washing it off, checking play, and checking grease/lube.. 5 mins after each outing ..

there's nothing to break, nothing to weigh it down, and very little to worry about.

i follow the KISS process, and if I was going to get into mudding again, i would certainly buy a 4x4 (450 wolverine, actually, SWEET bike), but we are trail riders... my lakotas drive around or skip over what guys STICK 600 4x4s in.. and if i get stuck, i can lift either end.

get about a 300-400, 2x4 trail bike... racks are required, NOT a racing or race inspired quad ..

 

even though everything jeff has said is true, I will never be without 4x4. I really dont want to have to get off and pick my bike up and/or over things. i have 3,800 miles on the 500 and rode in the mud most of its life(my pics prove that) . The only thing that i have had to replace are the wheel bearings. You said you wont be in the mud so that wont be a problem and it only takes 45 min. and 40 bucks to fix,well for my bike anyways, but its not something that goes out every other month or even yr, maybe not in 5 years depending on your riding. If 2 wheel drive is all you need then you should get that, but i rode 2 wheel drives before and they got stuck in stupid situation when if i just had a 4wheel drive button, it would have made things alot easier and quicker. I ride in the woods in missouri and my bike has selectable 2wd/4 wd. When im out trail riding im in 2wd, but going up some of the hills with the leaves on the ground id slide/spin out. Hit the 4wd button/lever and up ya go. much easier and less wear on the tires b/c they are not spinning. on the other hand if none of this is a factor,dont waste the money on a 4x4 ,get the 2wd.