I am looking to buy a new AC 500 manual or a Suzuki 500 for me and a AC 300 4x4 or Sukuki Quad King for the wife. Would appreciate any opinions on pros and cons of each machine. Also would like opinion on whether the 400 is worth looking seriously at for $1000 less than the 500. The other question is, I've found a 2000 300 for $350 less than the 2001, is it worth the $350 for the 2001?

 

I was in your shoes about a year or more ago I couldnt decide between the suzuki and the Arctic Cat 300,so heres my "opinion" on why your better off with the Arctic Cat 300.
1.The Arctic Cat 300 costs less than the Suzuki.
2.The Arctic Cat has a bigger frame for full size riders.
3.The Arctic Cat has hydraulic disc brakes all the way around susuki has poorly sealed drum brakes that everyone hates.
4.The Arctic CAt has dual a arms independant rear suspension with correct wheel alignment the susuki has single A arms and looks like a VW Bug.
5.The Arctic Cat comes stock with 12 inch wheels and 25 inch Titans 489's 24"fronts.
6.The Arctic Cat has alot more ground clearance and more suspension travel.
7.The Arctic Cat has more rack capacity more towing capacity,floor boards,cushier longer seat,and can be easyly modified for true four wheel drive in 30 minutes free.
8.Has a lovely rattling gas gauge.
9.Has the famous popular rocker shifter!!!!!
10.and looks better.
11. Has completely maintnace free bushings. anyway hope this helps you however I dont own a 500 therefore cannot give a honest comparison get with boner or andy bassham for that topic.

 

For the topic at hand, I see absolutely nothing other than turning diameter that favors the suzuki 500 over the AC. As for the 300's, if you modify the AC to have a locking differential, then there really isn't any comparison to the king quad. Its a bigger and better designed quad with more features. The levers of the king quad are much nicer than the makeshift looking engagement levers of the ac300, but overall, it doesn't come close. The AC is much stronger looking. Check out the rear dual a-arms of the AC compared to the flimsy looking wishbones of the king quad. Disc brakes all the way around are almost enough to make it superior all by themselves as well. I don't know if the AC has a super low transmission, but that isn't something that would be used much anyway. I would get the AC in both cases. As for the 400, for a few hundred dollars, I would get the 500. For a thousand, I would save the cash and get the 400. Just basically comes down to the difference in what you would save, and what you want to pay.

I appreciate you editing your post.

 

Comparing the Suzuki 500 to the Arctic Cat 500 is very easy.

The Cat rides alot better due to the longer and softer seat, longer wheel base, and the longer suspension travel.

The cat comes with bigger and better tires, while the suzuki comes with better wheels.

The cat has a WAY better winch mounting system.

The cat has better brakes.(disc/disc compared to disc/drum)

The cat has more rack capacity.

The cat comes with floor borads and foot pegs. Suzuki only has foot pegs.

The cat has a way bigger gas tank.

And here is something else to help you decide on which quad is better. This if from the Review of the 2001 Arctic Cat 500:

"Only three stock quads have made it through this mudhole. The Traxter, a Polaris Magnum, and now the Arctic Cat 500. Machines that have failed include the Grizzly, 450ES, Wolverine and QuadRunner 500."

Now we know which one muds better.

 

Cool off there Andy is was a simple mistake I wasnt even aware how to spell your last name since I've never spelled it before in any post .I wouldnt recommend your advice to someone and then ripp on your name.Guess I should have checked in another post to see how it was spelled however between my wife nagging me to get off the computer and me not thinking any thing of the way it was spelled I didnt.Sorry if it offended you I now realise the way I spelled it is as if to bash you however I'm to tired and to old for games like that.Again I accept being called a stiff and am sorry for the confusion.

 

I think it's just that time of the Month againg.

Ran out of Midol???

 

Why, do you have some midol that I could borrow?

No harm no foul there Explorer. That surname has been used before in the forums. Thats basically why I caught it and jumped to conclusions. No problems then, I just got up, brushed off, and rode on.