I currently have a Honda 300 4x4 and looking for more power and performance. I have an opportunity to buy a '98 A/C 454 at a price of $4199. Is this a fair price and can you guys give me any info on the A/C's. I need both good and bad opinions if possible. How would you guys rank them among other quads. Please dont mention the Polaris. Thanks.

 

Well what kinda perforemance are you talking about? IF it's speed and accleration then the Cat is not for you. I think if thats the kinda performance you want you need a High Lifter Performance Kit.

If you want a better ride, better mudding, and more pulling power then the Cat is for you.

As far as the price well it depends on where you live. Down here in Louisiana they don't sell well at all. A used one goes for about 3900. I saw a 2000 model 500 Auto for 4995 and it has the 2 year warranty and only 200 miles on it.

 

I am looking for all around performance. I want more pulling power, better mudding, more clearance, dependability, and raw power. How is the A/C in the mud? Does it have a locking front diff. or just limited slip or something similar. Can you change from 2wd to 4wd while moving? How much heavier is the machine vs. other 450 or 500's? Independent rear suspension? And last, any common complaints with the bike?

As you can see, I know nothing about the A/C. Any help you guys can provide is greatly appreciated. Please tell me why you think I should buy one.

 

i know they had some problems with the carbs and the water pumps on the 454 Im not sure if there was a problem on the 98's though. if you can find a 500 i would go for it. its been a great quad. it has a lot of low end power but it lacks top end. It has a semi independent susp. in the rear. so its basically like a truck rearend only with coilovers instead of leafs. well hope you find something you like.
matty

 

Frank300:
I think if there were any complaints, weight might be one of them, though for pulling power, and all out workability, that's actually more of an assett, I think. The AC 500 weighs in around 648 lbs. dry weight. If you compare that to the SP 500, which weighs at or just over 700 lbs., there is a little difference, though the AC is one of the heavier machines out there.

Steering could be another downfall-it is a little tougher to steer than some of the others, though taller, more aggressive tires will fix that problem. I can't believe how much easier my 27x9.75x12 Bi-Claws steer, compared to the stock 25x10x12 Titan 489's.

The 500 does have more low end grunt-torque-than anything else on the market, at 31 ft/lbs. As a result, it does have plenty of power for nearly anything you could want to do with it. If you're interested, scan back about two months and look at a post concerning Auto's and Hard work. I've got a couple posts on here about how hard I work my machine, as well as several others on the board. That will give you a good idea of just how tough, powerfull, and dependable these machines are.

As for the muddability of the AC 500, they're great there as well. Take a look at Boner's pics, he does some serious mudding with his 'Cat. If Scotto still has his pics up, take a look at those as well. I would venture to say that both of these guys probably push their 'Cats to the extreme, when mud is concerned, and it's unbelievable to see what they do with them. If mud is your thing, that will give you a good idea of what you could expect.

As for your questions about the 2/4wd thing and the rear suspension, yes, you can switch from 2 to 4 wheel drive on the move. I frequently do this all the time. In fact, I find it a little easier even to go from 4 wd, back to 2wd while on the move. I do tend to stop though for switching from high to low range, and vice versus. The rear suspension is an AC original. It's a solid axle, that is kind of "floating" I guess you could say. Excellent ride, and suspension travel here. And, with the solid axle, I feel it's a little tougher than going with an IRS, if you plan to work a lot with it-such as hauling or towing.

The front differential is a solid arguing point. It is a limited slip, of which a few have had problems with 3 wheel slippage, and a few others haven't. I won't get into this, as it's been beat to the ground already. They currently do not make a locker for the 'Cat, which is a downfall to some, though I can honestly say my 'Cat has taken me everywhere I have ever wanted to go, with no problems what so ever.

If you plan to hunt with the machine, Irichard has recently posted some moose hunting pics. Moose are rather large critters, and heavy to say the least. His pics will give you a great idea of how the 'Cat will work in those kind of conditions. I am hoping to have a few more posted in the next couple weeks of some elk hunting adventures. May not have an animal in the pics, but definately mud, and hopefully some snow as well.

Others have commented on a different post about the features, compared to the price difference between the 400 and 500 machines. I would have to say that even if the price was as much as $1,000 difference, I would still pay the extra for the 500. Simply put, it has more power, and more features than the 400. Also, some say the 400 is underpowered. I've never personnally ridden one off-road, so I can't say for sure, but the 500 definately has the power to do anything you want. I'd hate to have you buy a machine that won't live up to your expectations, and end up regretting your decision, so if you are trying to compare between the two, I'd highly recommend spending a little extra and getting the 500. Even if it is overkill for what you plan to do, at least you can rest assured knowing it can handle the worst and still perform, should you require it to do so.

Anyway, sorry for the length, I tend to be rather long-winded, quite frequently. At the same time, I hope that gives you a better idea of what to expect, or look for in the 'Cats. Best of luck with your search.

Mike

 

I would like to correct cowboy alittle bit. The 454 doesnt have selectable 2wd and 4wd. I beleive the first AC machine besides the 300ac to have it was the 2000 500auto. Then in 2001 the man. and the auto both have it. I maybe wrong but I think that it how it worked. But I know for sure the 454 doesnt have it
matty

 

Your right about the front differentials.

 

Girthyguy:
I'm sorry, I should have been more clear with that. You are right, the selectable 2/4wd first appeared on the '00 Auto, (in the 500's anyway)which I run. Then, new for '01, they made the manual selectable as well, along with adding the larger fuel tank from the '00 Auto, and adding stick guards, steel break fluid reservoir, and slightly modified the starter/lighting/kill switch assembly, along with black rims. Can't remember for sure, but I think that's about it for the changes to the new '01.

Again, sorry for the confusion there, the 454 is not selectable.

Mike

 

Basically the 98 model 454 is the same frame and all as the newer 500's. It lacks start in gear, cushier seat (not a real downfall, I've ridden one several times and its not bad by any means), selectable 4wd, and the hydraulic footbrake.

You will have carb problems. I'm pretty sure that most all of them did. I don't know why, but they do. My cousin had problems, but he changed the mixture screw up, and installed a hotter plug, and its not that big of a deal now. I figure it will go through spark plugs quicker than the others, but not to a great extent. If it is indeed a 98 and not a 97, it will steer the same as the 500's do.

$4199 is not too bad if it is in really good condition, but consider this. When I was wanting to get a Sportsman 500 HO, I would have sold my 99 AC 500 for $4500 if someone would have showed up with the cash. Thats with 2 kimpex bumpers and winch so once again evidence that good deals can be found. Mine was almost showroom as well.

I will say this, the 454 will have a buttload more power than the honda 300. I wouldn't think that it would go in more or less places though, because they are both 4x4's and the honda will fit places where the AC won't as easily. I found this out myself. You will be able to pull larger tires a lot easier with a 454 though, and fender clearance gives no need for a lift for 27" tires to clear.

 

Thanks for educating me on the A/C's guys. I know what to look for now. Finding it is the other concern. Thanks again.