I am stuck deciding between a 2002 manual 500 with 500 miles or for $1300 more a brand new 400 manual? What does everyone think? I will be running with sportsmen 500's most of the time, will I be able to keep up ok? What is the top speed of each?

I look forward to everyones insight and help.

 

All other things being equal (both 4x4 or 4x4, both IRS or non-IRS), I think I would go with the 500. Make a little lower offer and take it home.

Brent

 

I'd go new,got burned bad on a used atv.also,the 2002 500 doesnt have much more power than the newer 400 IMHO.The 2003 500 is a lot better though.I test drove an 02 500 when I was thinking about trading the 03 400i in.This year I bought both the bikes in my sig new.
I doubt either of them is as fast as a 500 HO, but you wont be far behind.They arent completely broken in yet,but it looks like the 400 will do a little over 50,and the 500 (2003) will do about 60 (both by the speedo)

 

i had a 2002 automatic and it would do about 55 i think it was my 2003 automatic that i have for sale would do over 60 and would be very very close to the 500 h.0. but then again if you need speed a person can jump in a vehicle and go to. usually i dunno bout you but we run in larger groups of 5 to 15 wheelers and there is always slower ones we usually run about 35 to 40 mph on the road i am sure you will be happy with either one

 

I have an 03 400i. I love it and I run with a guy who rides a 500 Polaris HO. He has ITP Mudlite tires I have stock. I can go where he goes with no problems. He actually falls behind in the torque department I think. Recently we had a trailer with 18 sheets of 1/2inch plywood and 30 8ft two by fours and misc tools for building a cabin. He smoked his belt in the first 200yds of beach travel in the loose gravel and mud with the trailer. We hooked it up to my 400 AC and drug it 22 miles down the beach to its new home without a problem (mostly in 2 wheel drive). I am not sure if these differences are all due to an automatic belt drive vs a manual or not.

Also as was mentioned between 2002 and 2003 they changed the motors and Carboration on the 500's. So the 02 manual 500 and the 05 400 manual should have the exact same frame and body but very slightly different motor.

By the way the top speed of my 400i is between 50 and 55mph with my 200# plus body on it.

 

I've got an 02 500i manual with a little over 900 miles on it. Not what I'd call a speed demon, but not slow either, and it did develop more power as it broke in. I rode an 03 400i last summer, found that when you had the engines wound all the way out, there wasn't that much difference, but at low to mid engine speeds, the 500 (even my poky 02) had a lot more torque. The 400 will go anywhere the 500 will, you just have to work a little harder at it, pay more attention to engine speed. With the 500, it's torque at any speed, just jam on the gas and it'll pull through.

Don't know if it makes a difference to you, but the newer 400i is air cooled, where the 500 is water cooled. I prefer water cooling - doesn't toast your legs on a hot day, or steam you when you hit water.

Top speed on my 500 is mid 50's, but the engine sounds a bit strained at anything over 50. Handling is very stable at high speed. Not at all like my old Big Bear, that was all over the place at any speed greater than 30.

The 500 is a pulling fool. I have been using my Cat to drag 20' long cedar logs, 10-12" in diameter, from the back of my farm, down a hill, and a mile up a narrow trail. Going to build a little log house garage for my Cat and lawnmower. Glad I got that manual transmission at times like this.

 

Thanks for the input, a few more questions. Is the 200 manual 500 much better then the 2002? I know a lot can be done to improve the performance of the auto's what about the manuals? Should I also consider the auto 400 and use the savings to hop it up to keep up? I really want to be able to keep up with the sportsman in all settings.

- Mike

 

If you didn't mind holding out, I would take the 05 model 400 over an 02 model 500 on the sheer principle that the 05 will have the differential lock. Yes, its worth it if you like to go in rough places. May not use it much, but there is definitely a difference between limited slip and locked.

As far as the 02 goes, the 03 500's had a little more power to them, because that was the year they changed the compression. They also added steel braided brake lines that year, but I've never had a quad with braided lines, and I never had any problem, so that isn't a real selling point to me.

500 miles isn't a lot though, especially if its been taken care of and not rolled. Then engine should just about be broken in good at that point. Plus, if a guy had it for that long and only has 500 miles, then he didn't ride it too much. The Sportsmans will outrun you, but you will be able to keep up in the trails, and still follow them around anywhere they go. Sure they will have a little advantage in some places with both of their front wheels pulling, but not in many places. I'm the only one I ride with that has a locking differential and those guys can go anywhere I can really. Just some places I have a little easier time of it.

If you don't want to drop the extra $1300, I would check into that 500 pretty hard and see what it looks like. If you do decide to get the new 400, then wait for the 05 model. The diff-lock is worth waiting a few months for.

 

mikemm i am looking at a 2000 500 man. it has 510 miles on it the guy wants $5800 for it i know it has been well taken care of. what is the price on the 02 u are looking at? I am not sure if 5800 for a 2000 is a far price or not? Any input would be great Thanks.

 

Here is what I have found in the Ottawa area ($cnd).

1999 Wolverine $4200
2002 scrambler $4800 (no hour meter, OK shape)
* 2002 AC 500 manual $5900 (500 miles, mint shape not a scratch)
2004 400 manual $6500 (new but from a dealer that is no longer an A C dealer)
2004 400 auto $7000 (used 100 miles, mint great local dealer)
* 2005 400 manual $7200 (new good local dealer)
2004 500 manual $7500 (new but from a dealer that is no longer an A C dealer)
2005 500 manual $8200 (new good local dealer)
2004 650 auto $8500 (used 100 miles, mint great local dealer)

* the two I was dicussing in this thread.

Hope this helps you (PMKHEAD) ,

I would also love to hear more opinions on the best deal, you guys are great I really appreciate the feedback.