Thinking about picking one of these up this weekend .I already have a 03 400i auto,and I'm getting rid of my 94 Polaris 400l 4 x4.Are there any known probs with this machine other than weak cv joints (with big tires) and a crappy (3wd) front diff?
I assume the manual tranny should be bulletproof?Do they still have the high /low /reverse shifter on the fender like my 400 auto?
Thanks for the replies guys!
Steve

 

i haven't really head of anyone having problems with the 500i i have a 03 500i automatic and i had 27 inch tires on it and other then bogging the motor down with the big tires no problems at all how much are they asking for that one cause i am trying to sell mine for 4800 american with a winch and everything and can't get rid of it and it is in mint condition but i wouldn't worry bout the cv joints

 

Its $7300 Canadian with 2yr warranty,winch,freight and pdi in...Thats about $5300 US
Also looking at a 2004 400 ACT Auto for $6600 (winch,2 yr warr,freight,pdi) thats $4800 US

 

Not a bad price. I paid $5800 for my 02 500i manual two years ago.

Mine has been bulletproof. In two years and 900 miles of farm work, it has broken a light bulb, fouled a spark plug, and lost it's shift indicator lights. Otherwise, it's been gas and go. I tend to haul trailers loaded with wood or creek rock, so the manual transmission was one of the main reasons I bought the Cat. High ground clearance was another, and the fact that it was a stout, no nonsense machine was another. It's lived up to all those promises.

No, they don't have the hi/lo on the fender, it's down by the shifter. This can be a bit irritating at first, as that little **** can be hard to reach, but you also get something that the fender shifter doesn't have - hi/lo reverse. That has come in handy more than once.

 

Well as you can see by my sig,I bought the 500...thanks for the replies!
Steve

 

I found a brand new 2004 500 MRP 4x4 manual for $4600.00. I'm going to go with the new 2003 500 4x4 auto and 2500 lb Warn winch for $4995.00. I like the push button 4x4 selection and the digital display but I think most people prefer the automatic. The dealer got the manual unit by mistake and just wants to get rid of it. They are not going to be selling ATV's anymore, just Kubota tractors.

 

I guess it depends on how and where you use your 5001 manual.
Mine has always had the nuetral between gears problem when shifting hard very frustrating and no fix available.
I run 26 mudlites in the summer and 27 vampires(narrow for loose snow) in the winter and have had to replace 5 axles due to broken stubs at the rear differential or failed CV joints. Gets you down after a while. Cat paid for one axle I paid the others.
I pull heavy loads at times and had to replace the front drive shaft coupler.
I dusted the engine due to a tear in the carb boot but dont blame Cat for that.
The ride is as good as any in the business but to me it is not worth it as the overall durability of the machine is low and my conclusion is that IRS with max travel does not lead to performance handling on sidehills, off camber turns or when braking downhill rather scary at times.
If you ride flat and slow then the 500i is fine just stay away from steep rough country.
The group I ride with(10-15) was all 500 Cat and Rubicon untill 2 years ago but is now dominated by Kawi 650 and 700's. the Kawis in some cases are now up to 5500 miles with some problems but nothing like the few remaining Cats with similar mileage. and besides the kawis are just much more fun to ride.