I found myself asking the same questions when i bought my cat-i decided to go with the 400IRS-AUTO-the machines are so similar with ground clearance and other benefits that for the price i went to the 400...guess it all depends on what your gonna do with it...i use mine for hunting and ice fishing so there isnt a need for an engine so big...it gets the job done when i need it to. Good luck with your purchase-you wont be dissapointed with any of the CAT machines!

 

Glad to here I'm not the only one that is having trouble deciding on which bike to get. At first it was the 500, then the 650, but know after adding the cost of plows, winch, trailer, etc. I'm looking at the 400. To many decisions. I've decided to not decide and wait. I wish had any bike today, we just got 12" of fresh snow today. Good luck.

 

I already have a 400 but think I'll buy the 650 as well. My GF likes to ride the 400 so we'll keep that one for her.

 

i just wanted to thank most of ya'll for the responses and just ask what everybody paid for their machines.


since i only have one dealer nearby i think it will be harder to negotiate.

 

have yall seen the prices for the ranchers.


350 4X4 for 3899

 

I have the 400i AC and I also wondered about getting a bigger engine. When hunting and buzzing the trails, the Honda 300, 350 and 450 seem to be able to keep well ahead of me. I prefer to keep in low range, which seems to be better to me when going off trails to do around beaver dams etc. I am able to stay in 3rd, and use 2nd and 1st for complicated stuff. However, this week I realized that my 400i is just the ticket for me while moose huntinig. Don't worry about not having enough power! We got 2 bulls that were in the Skaggs across a dried up beaver dam area. I had NO trouble pulling my moose out, even though I had my doubts in the beginning. The independant suspension allowed me to have all 4 wheels on the ground at the same time, while the Hondas had at least 1 tire in the air and the older 350 had 2 tires in the air most times (it was a solid axle machine). With my 400i in low range and first gear I basically idled through the rough stuff. It had incredible traction and pulled like crazy! Don't get me wrong here folks.....all the quads no matter what brand made it through the week. Some just made it easier.

By the way, I did change my tires immediately after buying the quad but I did not go up in size. I did go a bit wider, but I wanted to keep the low end grunt and thus kept the same tire height. Good luck in your decision.

 

You wanted to know about pricing......I got my 2003 in January-400 4X4 Auto-with fully independent suspension for $5,000. I didn't have to beg or barter...With snow on the ground the dealer wanted to sell snowmobiles and the wheeler was sitting in storage-I didn't get any other extras with the machine-I had been the first person in there in months to look at a wheeler-so I guess you gotta be at the right place at the right time to get a great deal.....Just gotta look when noone else is-it might give you some better leverage for getting them at a good price!! Best of Luck-Keep us posted

 

My son sells ACs for a local dealer. I'll bet he could get you a price worth driving for.

 

$5800 for my 500i manual. Added a winch later, well worth having.

 

paid 5299 for my 04 400I a month ago.