I am new to the forum, and I need a little information. I am narrowing my list to purchase a new 4wheeler. I believe that I have narrowed it down to the following. Artic Cat 400 4x4, Artic Cat 400 vp 4x4 auto. I don't know anything at all about the automatic transmission, could someone please tell me if it is dependable or would I be better off with the manual transmission. I live in north Louisiana and I will be using it for hunting and some just riding in the woods. There is a fair amount of mud in many of the swamps, but there is also some pretty steep hills and rough areas. I would greatly appreciate any information that you can give me about the transmissions. Artic Cat is pretty new to our area, Honda, Yamaha, and the such is the norm. HELP
Stephen

 

The AC auto is a very good one, most dealer don't even stock the belt.

 

Why does the ac dealer not stock a belt ??????

 

i was nervouse about belt drives when i bought my 400 4x4 auto fis everyone assured me i wouldnt have any problems and i havent i have put that quad through everything and it hasnt let me down bullet proof sums it all up

 

Hey is one of those cats a striaght axle rear end and have you bought it yet ?

 

It's called a **** poor dealer. However if he is smart (it sounds like he isn't though), Arctic Cat lets dealers order once a day with 2 day shipping, so he can have it in 3 days total. But a high use item like the V-2 belt makes no sense not to have. Now a belt for a 400 or 500 or H-1 would be a waste of shelf space as they hardly ever have a problem with them.

 

My two 400's have given me very minor problems so far, such as shock bushings and brake pads, all normal wear items with bigger tires. I have an '03 ACT 400 and an 04 FIS 400. One's auto, the other man, and both have no clutching or belt problems. Look in my pics to see a fine example of Cat's excellent straight axle rear end. Same one on the VP.
The ACT rear end is superb in the rough stuff, the IRS is a little better in the mud. Ride, I would have to give to the ACT. For those who have never driven an ACT, try one, you'll see. Handling however would have to go to the IRS, but I'm only talking about high speed handling. I find myself shifting a lot with the manual, to keep it in the power band, the auto is better in that respect. Top speed for my manual is about 55 mph, that is NOT corrected with the bigger tires I have on. The Auto, or my auto, is a little slower than that.

 

Is your atv all the time 4x4 ?

 

No, both are switchable, the 03 with a lever, the 04 via pushbutton.