I just sold my 97 SP 400 and bought a new AC 300 4x4. Here's what I think so far (12 miles on odo)

1. Power not bad
2. Don't like shifter
3. Front diff will Lock (dug 4 holes in tug of war
with tree...tree won!)
4. shifts rough (hopefully will break in)
5. very quiet
6. don't care for 4x4 selector
7. don't care for range selector
8. good price 4700 + tax w/ extended warranty
9. good ergos
10. very good ride (much better than sportsman)
11. not as much clearance as the SP
12. good tires
13. ALOT of body lean in turns
14. brakes OK

Overall i like the machine. I hope it will loosen
up after some breakin miles. I'm gonna rig up a way to get all 3 options in the front axle. Does
anyone know if synthetice will help the shifting?
Also any place to buy oil filters online?

 

A Sportsman 400.. what kind of luck did you have with it?? A friend of mind has pretty much put his 97 Sportsman 400 to rest, he uses his praire now instead. I'm pretty sure this machine was a lemon, and i know he abused the hell out of it I just wanted to know if you had any problems??? All i know is i bet the 400 2 stroke had alot more pickup, too bad the sp400 wasn't independant

 

You can't have all front options, 2wd & 4wd (3wd) OR 4wd (3wd) & 4wd lock, I'll take dif lock anytime. Front ground clearance is poor but make mount plates to drop lower shock mount A-arm 3/4" & that will give you about 1 1/2 - 2" more ground clearance. Overall I love mine, very manuverable , agile machine, ya it has poorer shift controls but its also a lot cheaper than others. Suspension is excellent!!!