Just registered last week and have been scouring and lurking for info a lot. Great forum here!

I am looking to purchase a 4x4 in the next month. My intended uses are Ice Fishing and plowing my driveway/yard. I have no intention of dedicated trail riding/mudding. Maybe some basic use around the house/yard in the warm months and very minimal use on dirt roads during deer season.

I have done a lot of independent research on various machines. In particular AC, Honda, and Yamaha. I have come across many reviews on lots of machines made in the last 10 years. I know the Grizzly is just plain badass and the Ranchers are very reliable. What I would like is some honest opinions on the Arctic Cats. I am looking at a 2006 500 automatic with 170 miles. A good friend has a family member looking to sell one. I know they started making their own engines around 2006 and that the 500 I am looking at still has the Suzuki in it.

The most I am willing to spend is around 4k and am strongly considering pulling the trigger on the AC if he will accept the offer. If anyone here feels otherwise as far as putting that amount toward something different please chime in, I appreciate all info and opinions, biased and unbiased.

 

You are going about it the right way - figure out your budget and get a quad you can afford. Don't even try to get your "ultimate" ATV the first time out, there will be time enough for that later.

After you get some time on it you may or may not decide that you should have something else. Riding a lot is the only way to get a good idea of what you want. So, it you buy a decent used ATV at a decent price, you can always sell it down the line without loosing too much money. I've had several used quads that I basically paid for maintenance items and fuel as my only cost as I sold them for very close to what I paid for them.

The AC's are good, solid bikes. Biggest advantage to them is that they have lots of ground clearance which wil help you in snowy conditions.

 

test ride the AC, check fluids, be sure to drive it in all ranges and reverse. if all is well, it will serve you for what you want to use it for just fine. good luck!

 

My friends 2001 AC 500 always runs great with 3000 miles on it now ,your 06 would even have diff lock by then. 107miles its well worth the look.

 

My son has an '07 Cat with over 2000 miles on it. It's been a good quad. The only issue was a dirty, gummed up carb... and that was his fault. Since we cleaned it up, and he's been using a Mr Funnel to add gas and puts in some good gas additive... no more problems.

They are not the best riding or handling ATV, but they seem to be solid (and heavy). His has a good ole Suzuki engine in it, so that's the last thing he has to worry about.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone...I am going to make an offer next week and see where it goes. Will definitely do the test ride. Anything in particular that would easily stand out if something was not right?

Will keep posted and add some photos if it all works out.

 

i just had a arctic cat 500, 2005 version and it was a very solid quad, i dont think u will be disopointed if u get it.......good luck