I'm looking to buy this atv, i have a '00 AC 300 4x4 now and i need more power. Is it true that this atv is true 4wd and can you take it in and out of 4wd? Any disapointments in the motor? Please help me out with any info, thanks

 

NO the 400 is basically the same as always except for a bigger gas tank, black wheels, and new graphics.

You would be much better off with the 500 manual. It has the 2wd/4wd selector, more power, bigger tires,and more potential for mods.

The 500 is only a little more and offers alot more for the money if you ask me.

 

I too would like to see them improve upon the 400.
Like you, I as well own a 2000 300 4X4 and it suffers painfully from a lack of power. If the 400 had selectable 2 & 4 wheel drive and a locking front differential I would seriously look at trading up.
I can't understand why cat doesn't improve the 400, they have all the means at their disposal. It would be just a matter of swapping the front axle from the 500 or the 300 for that matter.

 

I thought the 400's and 500's both used the same front axle?

Boner is right though, if you are looking to upgrade, for the price difference I'd definately look at the 500. The new '01 has been upgraded pretty nicely and you'll have plenty of power to do pretty much anything you wish with it. It does have the selectable 2/4wd now, so that's another great feature to have if you switch from running trails or nasty off road stuff, then back to gravel roads. It's kind of nice to have that 2wd at times.

Or, if you want to save a little money and don't mind an automatic, the '00 models are probably going to be going on sale, or at least discounted to make room for the new '01 models. The '00 auto was the first to have all the features that are now standard on the manual for '01. Something to think about anyway, the price may be closer yet to that of the '01 400's, and you'd get a whole lot more machine.

Anyway, good luck on the decision.

Mike

 

thanks for the info, i will look into the 500 and may go that route, but i on the AC site for the '01 400 features it does say something about torque sensing true 4wd, i guess that would be like the polaris? Also since everyone is 500 owners do you have any flooding probs going up steep ditchs/hills?

 

thanks for the info, i will look into the 500 and may go that route, but i on the AC site for the '01 400 features it does say something about torque sensing true 4wd, i guess that would be like the polaris? Also since everyone is 500 owners do you have any flooding probs going up steep ditchs/hills?

 

thanks for the info, i will look into the 500 and may go that route, but i on the AC site for the '01 400 features it does say something about torque sensing true 4wd, i guess that would be like the polaris? Also since everyone is 500 owners do you have any flooding probs going up steep ditchs/hills?

 

have no clue how that posted 3 times..anyway sorry for it heh

 

No flooding problems at all in those circumstances. I've never heard of anyone else here complaining of that either.

On the 400 issue, I think AC should make some changes that are only for the 400. Honda should drop the Foreman 400 from their lineup completely. Yamaha revamped the kodiak, but instead of just adding a few "bold new graphics", they redesigned it so it is different from the other size quads that surround it. The Kodiak is no longer just a step up from a big bear and just a step down from a Grizzly. It has the larger engine and auto tranny that the Big Bear does not (as well as 2wd capability), and it has full disc brakes and a little different suspension that the Kodiak does not. Its like its own bike, not just an in between size quad. That takes away from price swaying some seeing that it falls a few hundred dollars more or less than other quads Yamaha makes. That was a great idea. Arctic Cat should do the same. Their are a lot of people who would rather save $400 and get a 300 or spend $400 more and get a 500. The 400 is probably Arctic Cats least selling quad, basically because it is in between two significant price ranges and the difference between the hi-ball and low-ball isn't that much to sway.

 

No flooding problems at all. I climb creek banks that other ATVs get winched up. Believe me when I say STEEP!!!!