I've been surfing this forum and finding a lot of good information. I know that is what these forums are for but believe me they don't all hit the mark.

I've been an off roader for years but never owned a quad. Always a dirt bike or full sized 4x4. Now that I'm looking for a quad I think I want a 300 4x4 Artic Cat. I only have 1 friend with a quad and his is a Honda Rancher 4x4 ES. It's nice but I think I'd still like the Cat better.

Thanks for all the help. I need to make up my mind soon.

 

the rancher for 04 is alot different from the 03 and previous models. the new rancher is a 400 automatic with all kinds of new electronics. i would strongly recomend you consider the ac 400 manual. its only about $400 more than the 300 and bet you could find a deal on a 03 model. get 'em while thier closing the 03's out. also, with the ground clearance you get with the ac you'll go many places your buddy can't on that rancher. if gc is not a priority, that 03 rancher is a solid quad.

 

you can never go wrong with buying a honda, they are good machines. However it is my opinion that AC offers a lot more bang for your buck. As CatsMeow said ground clearance is very important and can make a day riding a lot more fun and easier. Fallen trees are no problem with all the clearance that AC have. I have a friend with a rancher and a couple others with foreman and they have had no problems but I would recommend the AC! (i was set on hondas until I drove my buddys cat and now I will never go back). Everyone likes different things though so take them both for a test drive blindfolded, oh wait that won't work now would it!! oops

 

Honda makes a very good machine, however I prefer the Artic Cat. My buddy has a Rancher and a Foreman and we do quite alot of riding together, swaping quads and what not. There is a night and day diference between the ride quality of Honda's and the A/C's. When you are crossing farm fields with alot of ruts, those Hondas have a tendency to beat you up a bit. The fis system on the A/C's just seems to soak 'em up. I've got just over 600 mi on my 400i Auto and I've been extreeeeeemly pleased with it. During the winter it never took more than two cranks to get started, ran through the snow like a champ (I used it to get to work one snowy day, 21 mi. one way) . (People at work thought I was completely nuts to do it!) You may want to hold out for the 2004 models and check out the guage package on them, as I understand it they redesigned them. Also on the 2004's you should get heavier axles as I understand they redesigned them also, although I haven't had any problems with mine.



2003 400i Lime Green Auto
Rack extensions
Mud Flaps
Tachometer
2500 lb Warn Winch
Front Brush Guard
Rear Bumper
Heated Grips and Throttle
Third Headlight
Tool Carrier
Three Way Hitch