My husband and i recently moved to an acerage and want to buy an ATV, we went to 3 local dealers yesterday (Yamaha, Arctic Cat, Can-am) and are leaning towards the Can-Am because we heard that Arctic Cat has engine problems...
Anyhow, it will be mostly used around our property for moving wood, plowing snow etc. with occasional weekend trailriding etc. We are looking at a 400 cc, will this be sufficent? occasionally there will be 2 adults on it.

 

Arctic Cat has engine problems.




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Thats a first for me. Arctic Cat is usually on top for work purposes. Someone is mixed up. Engine problems are rare to find with Arctic Cat, or Can-Am. They are both great machines. If your getting a 400, the AC will be heavier and better for plowing. The Can-AM will be better and faster on trails. AC is probably better for work purposes, and Can-Am will be better for trails. But they will both fair well in each department. The engine thing still has me suprised! Lol

 

we had heard that Arctic Cat used to use Suzuki motors but last year they started making their own and that their were problems with oil leakage...

 

There is no "oil leak" problems that im aware of. And the 400 is still suzukis motor. The only AC motor is the 650H1 motor, and that motor is bullet proof

 

Of the three brands you have mentioned, Yamaha would have the best reliability track record. A 500 cc or bigger ATV would probably serve you better for the jobs stated and occasionally hauling 2 adults. It would be better to have the additional power and not always use it, than to need the additional power and not have it.

My order of preference would be Yamaha, Arctic Cat, and then Can-am. Both the Yamy and the Cat have good reputations for being good all around utility ATV's. Can-am has a good reputation for going fast and not much else. You will also find it easier to buy attachments for Arctic Cat or Yamaha than Can-am.

 

A 400cc is ok, but bigger is better for work like plowing and towing. A two speed tranny should be at the top of the list, so forget about automatics with one range(high only), because they arent that great for work related uses. Get one with both a high and low range.
Usually the quads with a solid rear axle are better for work, than the ones with irs.
The ability to lock the front differential is also a plus...even if you dont use the feature, it makes for an easy resell later on.
If this is your first purchase, and youre not very savvy on atvs, you might want to go with the closest or most friendly dealer. I wouldnt worry about the suzuki 400 motor, its been around for years, and isnt a lemon.
Dont be in a hurry to buy...its better to make a good decision than making a quick one.

 

Like Hondabuster said, don't be in a hurry to buy. Read as much as you can in forums such as this one and others. Then after that try test riding the models you are interested in so you can make the best educated decision possible.

Remember when you are at the dealership you are talking to salesmen, if you know what I mean.

 

Check out some Hondas. The Rancher 420 is a superb trail ride, and can do light and medium work. For heavy work like plowing, you might want something bigger like the Foreman 500.

 

It sounds to me like the Arctic cat 500 auto would be a good choice for you. It has plenty of power for doing work and enough ground clearance to clear any obstacle on the trail. I have a 50" cycle country vee plow on my 400 and when the snow gets deep I can barely move it, thats where my 72" eagle plow on my prowler comes in handy. Which leads me to ask have you considered a utv? It has a dump box for doing almost any job, and is always ready for two people to ride.

 

If yo plan to ride 2 adults very often you may want to look at the machines designed for this. Their is the Can/Am 400, 500, 650, and 800 max. There is the Polaris 500, and 800 X2. Then there is the Arctic Cat 400, and 650 TRV. These are the only machines designed to ride 2 people. However, if you had rather have a single passenger machine with the ability to occassionally ride two people comfortable, Polaris is the way to go. They have the largest and most comfortable seat made. Yamaha has one of the smallest seats, and AC is kinda in the middle. Can/Am seats are comfortable, but also small. There are other brands....Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Honda, none of which have a two passenger designed machine or a large seat for riding two comfortable. If you plan to buy one machine to ride two people you definetely need to look at the 2 rider bikes.