as for which machine it all depends on what you are going to do with it, i own a 04 AC650LE, my buddy has the 03 500 auto ,and its very nice as far as honda and suzuki goes, i havent ridden them enough to comment on them, but one thing that is important is the warrenty, i know articat has a 2 year warrenty going right now , from the fact at no xtra cost ,as far as honda and suzuki i think they offer 6 months only with a option to purchas an extended warrenty, im not 100 percent sure on this ,but which ever machine you buy all 3 that you mentioned are nice machines i like the cats due to ground clearence, 10 inches of suspention travel all 4 wheels, shift on the fly 4x4 , and you dont need a lift kit to install 28in tires which keeps the cv shafts at fact specs, well this is my opinion only, but i think the best thing to do is go and test ride all the models you like and pick the one that suits you the best. good luck

 

It sounds to me you are wanting to stay with a little smaller, easy to handle machine!
Give a look to the Yamaha Kodiac 450!

 

Thanks for the replies all, good stuff.....

I plan on doing some hands-on shopping this saturday....As for pricing, how much wiggle room is there with a dealer? I know when I bought my truck it was easy to research invoice pricing and haggle a good deal...I'm having a harder time finding ATV dealer cost, and figuring out what's real and what's bogus with all the fees they may tack on...

Any help/insight into how to approach a dealer, haggle price, and what fees are legit and which aren't would be greatly appreciated. The only thing I thought of possibly doing is after I decide on a model, to fax the area dealers in a 50 mile radius and see who comes back with the best price...

 

I bought my 500 from Falls Action Motorsports, which is North of you and 141 in Stiles. I paid 5100 when I had heard of ppl paying much more than this for 400's. Though this was last July so I;m sure they had dropped the prices to clear out the 03's to make room for 04's. They even stayed open an hour after closing waiting for me to come pick it up. I have also heard tha Vernes up in Antigo(I know its out of your 50 mile radius) has good deals and they handle Cats, Hondas, and a few more brands and they will deliver. I would have bought mine from them, but at the time they had only Auto's in stock and I wanted a manual

 

I bought my 650 based on two of my friends experiance with their A/Cats. ( 500 manual and a 454 ) After riding my 650, the 500 owner said his next one will be an automatic. He feels the auto just makes trail rides more relaxed by not having to shift up and down for a tight turn, rock, etc. Just something for you to think about before buying.

 

Thanks Petez24 for the dealer info... I see yer from Wallace? I grew up in Daggett actually.


I'm gonna give Falls Action a call, as well as Mr. Os in Peshtigo

*EDIT*

I don't know if posting dealer price quotes is against forum rules, if it is just let me know and I'll remove it..but I just called Falls Action and for a 500 auto they're offering 5500 +Tax & Reg. and includes the warn winch and 2year warranty....if I do cash. I'd only have about 1k to put down and finance the rest so I'd have to get a loan through my bank I guess. It was like 6200 if I financed and didn't include the warranty or winch!

 

thats pretty cool buckfu, never thought I'd ever find someone from this area on here.

 

the 2 yr warrenty is from the fact, as far as the winch ,the way i understand it, its either a winch for 69 dollars or low financing, at least thats how my dealer explained it to me

 

get the vinsion black LE it looks so sharp