Sounds like you have one of them automatics, and the belt got wet, my 500 manual has gone thru water over the seat, never skipped a beat. Your belt cover must have a leak in the seal or something. Im not sure how that all goes together cause ive never seen a automatic up close, but i would assume there is some type of gasket or something to keep the water out

 

Your trans got wet that happends somtimes with autos even kodiaks ,did you try to drain your trans after you got out of the water.

 

I am really happy with my cat, I read in consumer reports that they were the most reliable 4wheeler made. If you are looking to replace the raptor I'd lean towards the P700, power and solid rear axle. The fully independant machines are great on trails and rule the mud. I think my ac handles the jumps better than my explorer. The rincon look like its a good sporty trail macine,less utility orintated than the ac. I don't like aluminum control arms and light frame though.

 

out of all the people on the Arctic cat forum, i have had probably the most problems with mine. still love my quad and would buy another cat. I think that a lot of it has to do with the dealer you buy it from.

 

Well I guess I will put in the negative review now. I own one and will not buy another one. 170 miles in and 3 broken axles, stuck rings, steering linkage trouble, etc.

And no it's not the way I ride, I have owned a 98' Big Bear 350 4X4, 00' Grizz 600, 01' Honda 450ES, 01' Polaris SP500H.O., 02' Honda 450ES, 03' Arctic Cat 500i, and 03' Honda Rubicon. Except for a bad set of water pump seals and a burned up fan on the Polaris I have never had anything else break that I can remember. I have ridden all of them the same way at the same places with mud tires.

Went riding this weekend and noticed every 4 wheeler getting pulled back to camp, (that I saw) was a Cat. Not a good sign.

I will give it good reviews on counts other than reliability. Great ride, soft seat, lots of power, like the 2 or 4wd lever. It's just a shame that they haven't gotten the axle problem solved.

Look around a little on the forum, you'll see what I mean. Or call Dan at High Lifter, he has a Cat, ask him how many axles he's bought for his. A guy down the street has a stock 400i for hunting that broke his axle up in the Colorado mountains, ruined his trip. Ask ODB or Catcrazy on this forum. Good luck.

 

Car500i - You didn't mentioned how the new Rubicon did this weekend. Did you get a lot of rain. I started to come down but backed out.

 

What issue of Consumer Reports had the review?

 

The Rubicon was as reliable as a Honda. We weren't really mud riding, just kind of cruising. It was extremely dry!! No rain until Sunday on the way home.

 

reasons to buy the 650 over Rincon.
more ground clearence.
more suspension travel.
more rack capacity
bigger tires(i think)
2" trailer receiver

great deals from AC to purchase until the end of the year.

 

iv had my share of problems with mine also.
cracked air box. 2 shock ajusters broke trying to stiffen the shocks up.loose tyerod ends.replaced an axle.it dident brake but the cv joint was makeing noise.but all was fixed under warrenty.
it's like someone else said it all dependes on the dealer you buy it from.
if you have a good dealer it's minor. but if your dealer is a dick then it becomes an inconvenience.
i ride my cat in all conditions and take it through places my freinds all ride around.
and thats part of the fun.
i've got over 1400 miles on it and it still runs like new and like someone said the more it loosends up the better it gets.
now that that i've got a cat the only other quad i would like to have is the 650 cat.
cats rule.
at least this forum.
lol.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]