I have almost settled on the AC500 auto after shopping this last weekend. My other option is an SP500. I originally was all hot and bothered by the Kawi Brute Force but after looking at it and comparing features pretty much the only thing it's better at is power, lots of it!

So anyways..

What have others been paying? I was quoted $6399

I want a winch and plow on it immediately, how well do these machines plow snow?

I am going to jump the machine occasionally, we're talking 4-5ft of air sometimes, can it handle this?

Any recalls or updates I should know of?

Cheap performance upgrades?

For their $49 a month deal do you need money down? I would prefer not to put any down since I'll be buying the plow and possibly more.

Those rear seat deals, will this be ok to use with the stock springs with a passenger on?

Anything else you can think of......

 

Read this post for cheap upgrades.. http://forums.atvconnection.com/mess...did/419209.cfm

My local shop is selling the '05 500 auto for 6199. I'm in kentucky. If you interested PM me and I'll give you the shop name and number..

4-5 ft air is fine but remember, this isnt by any means a sport bike It weighs 700 lbs.

Stock springs will work fine with a passenger. Try not to get 4-5 ft of air with a passenger though ;-).

Congrats!

 

The 05 500 is a great machine. So is the sportsman 500. I took the sportsman over the Arctic cat only because of the availability of the local dealer that is a good guy and has treated well so far. The closest Arctic Cat dealer was a 2 hour drive each way. I love the Arctic Cats but wanted to have a dealer close by to help out if something went wrong.

I personally wouldn't do too much jumping, these are heavy machines.

6399 sounds about right for this time of year. Check with your dealer they may know when the incentive options will change. If they go to their 69 winch you may be able to work a deal with him on a winch then.

The finance deals are just teaser rates which only last a small portion of the terms. Once the term has ended they usually jump to something outrageous like 17-21 percent. At 49 per month less then half of your payment is being applied to the principle amount. A normal payment on these is around 130 per month. So when you refinance you will be refinancing almost the entire amount on a two year old machine. Some banks may not want to do this depending on your credit. If you can just finance it through your own bank and make the larger payments to begin with. That way you won't be what is called "upside down" In other words you owe more then it is worth.

Good luck with your new purchase