YOu guys are great, but I still need more info.

I am really scared to spend so much money on a new quad and buythe wrong one. I am 90% sure that I want a new 400cc auto and was going to bye but then this morning a friend mentioned I was crazy not to look at the 500 for an extra 1K. I like the new look and storge but do I really need the extra? I will be running with all sportsman 500s but from what I can tell I do not have a hope in speed anyway but will kill them when we hit the mud.

Any comments, is the 500 and liquid cooling that much better ?

- Mike

 

If the 500 is so great, then how come Arctic Cat sells more 400's than anything else? I will be getting a '05 400 as soon as the right arm gets far enough in PT to be able to ride. The only place the 500's and up leave my 250 behind is on the flat, straight logging roads. Otherwise I go where they go. Momma want a machine to ride when she goes riding with us and during hunting season, but wants an auto, and a 400 is the smallest Cat with one.

 

The reason Cat sells more 400's is because 400's is the largest selling market because of the price range. The 400 is a great machine but if you want a liquid cooled motor with more power and speed, I would spend the extra grand. If you ride doubles a lot, that is another reason to get the 500. If you can afford it, I suggest the 500.

 

The 400's weigh as much as the 500's, so that's an argument FOR the 500. But, I don't know how you sit financially. We bought two 400's last year because we could afford two of them. We could NOT afford two 500's. And since getting them, we've not found ourselves wanting. We haven't ever found ourselves in a place where we wished we had spend more $$$ because the 500 would have gotten us TO or OUT OF anyplace. It's "cooler" to say you have a 500, but money's money. Let your pocket book do your choosing. You will never be disappointed with a 400.

 

Gentlemen, The 500 weights 50lbs more than a 400. If you think that is not much, you are wrong. Back in my racing days with 427CID engines in 3000 pound cars a 100lbs weight loss was worth a tenth of a second. In round numbers that makes that 50lbs about 400lbs in a 3000lbs car. And the power to weight ratios are a bunch different. The car had about 7lbs to 1hp and the cat has about 28lbs to 1 hp and thats giving the Cat 25hp.

 

The biggest thing you would be getting with the 05 500 is the defferential lock,Good luck with your decision.

 

Friends and web boards are great for ideas but don't let them make decisions for you. If you like the 400, it fits your budget, and you want it then get it.

As for keeping up, as I look at it I don't think I want to be riding off road as fast as anything I ride can go. After all you never know what it around that next corner.

Brent

 

The 400s come with a diff. lock for 2005 too,don't they?

 

Yes the 05 400's will have the diff lock. $1000 is a lot of money, I am happy with my 400, but I would rather have the 500. The liquid cooled would be better, and while in high range the 400 has no low end power. But the call is yours, good luck![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I have a couple ATVs and one is a AC 2004 400 ( irs) manual.

Im not a big fan of autos but thats more rider choice than anything else.

So how much power do you REALY need? I have had my 400 up to 50+ MPH on a straight flat trail, in the woods I never get abouve 20-25 MPH. As for lack of low end power no big deal, drop it in low range, this is something I have only had to do twice. I looked at the 500s too, but I could not see the reason to go to up in price just for my ego ! I have never second though my choice for the 400.

If I realy want just to go fast I would have bought a raptor.