Hi all I was looking at some 400 cats over the weekend. The dealer was closed and I was browsing the new ones he had sitting outside. I really have no idea what Arctic-Cat offers and when I went on their web site I found it about as useful as **** on a bore hog. I couldn't find prices, detailed features, or what is new compared to previous models. So, I figured I would come on here and ask the AC experts a few questions.

1.) What is the differance between the 03 an 04 400i?
2.) I saw some that had a manual shift 4x4 and others had push button. Is this different years?
3.) Engine braking? Is there a difference between 03-04 models?
4.) What is MSRP on the a.)400 manual b.) 400 auto?
5.) How does the front diff perform? (I am affraid i'll regret not buying one with diff-lock)
6.) Last but not least, are these an overall good machine?
Thanks for your insight

 

I have a 2003 400i, As near as i know in 04 they changed the brake master cylinder, pushbutton 4 wheel drive (not dif lock), the engine breaking is pretty good on mine I dont know about the 04 though, and the MSRP I think you can get on either auto or manual, I could be wrong, I love my machine, I have gone places with it that a grizzly couldnt because of the extra ground clearance, the front diff works good, but it is no quadlock [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img] Hope this helps.

 

Here is what I know
1.)What Doober said.
2.)What Doober said.
3.)No
4.)It is around $5,000.I belive it is $300 more for the Auto
5.)The front dif works well.If you want diff.lock wait for the 2005 models they will have it.
6.)I have over 3,000 miles on my machine and I run it very,very hard and it has been flawless.

Vince

 

Thanks guys. With that being said. What is the going price. The dealer I stopped at had a tag on the 03' that said $5,799. When I called him earlier in the day before they closed he told me he would go $5,300 out the door on a cash sale. Does this sound about right? I am thinking it is a pretty good deal. I am in a position to shop, and so far I have found these deals: 04 Eiger 5 spd $5,026, 04 Eiger auto $5,246, 04 Rancher 5spd $4,615, 04 Rancher auto $4,944, 04 Yamaha Bruin $4,795, 04 Big Bear $4,795. Ironically the machine I was most interested in, 04 Prairie 360 camo, I can't find a dealer to budge much on price. $5,700 out the door is the best I've found on the camo. They all say that they're selling so good that they won't deal on price and then they point me towards the Eiger or Big Bear sitting on their floor. I am thinking that feature for feature the Cat is my best deal. Ok sorry about rambling on, thanks again for the info.

 

$5,300 for the 03 is a bit high, I could seem more around $4900. Out of the quads you've listed, I've only ridden one which is the Rancher 5 speed, though it was 2WD. It seemed to be a nice, powerful quad, but there wasn't anything special about it. Also, I've ridden an 03 Arctic-Cat 500, it had plenty of power, I loved the ground clearence (I'm sure you saw the AC 400's great ground clearence) and it wasn't a rough ride at all. The only thing is that it wasn't a very fast quad, but it isn't made for that anyway so that is nothing to take off for. I would try to get the Arctic-Cat if possible but it seems like dealers don't really want to cut a deal on AC's for some reason. Just an estimate, I wouldn't pay more than $5700 for the 04 400. Hope this helps a little.

 

that does appear to be a lil bit on the high side like raptor said i can't remember what i paid for my brand new 500's but i paid 6800 for my 650 i would check out another dealer but then again it makes a difference where you are from i live about 40 min from arctic cat factory so we get them alot cheaper here but to sell them we gotta sell them alot cheaper as well

 

I've got a 2003 400i MRP auto that I bought last fall in northwest Vermont for $4700 new. My dealer threw in a warn winch kit for another $200. I ride in a club that presently has over 170 members and have ridden with everything out there. Not to brag too much about my cat, but there are only a couple other machines that can go where I can. If you own one, you know. I recommend getting your dealer to give you a deal on a winch at whatever price you pay. You'll need it to pull out the other guys. I also go everywhere the 500 and 650 cat I ride with go, sometimes size doesn't matter. Best of luck.

 

I don't like the front diff.....it is in desperate need for a lock

and you can't reasonably put an aftermarket one in either, it can be done but not that simple

I can't wait for the 2005 model, mine is going down that road

other then that you'd be happy with an 2004 AC I wouldn't think of buying anything else other then AC, but I'm not afraid to mention their weak points

oh, and if you are looking for something to jump ditches don't get an AC.....they are built to be a workhorse, tanks are not meant to fly

and I paid $6650 for my TBX, before tax