I called the headquaters and was put into a reps voice mail. I also asked dealer for just winch and he told me $320 with out install. I think he is upset that I am pushing the winch issue.....I explained I was contacting Artic Cat for the winch promo he would not honor. We will see what happens. My issue is I have been doing bussiness with this dealership for over 10 years. My bad for not looking into all promo's before buying.

 

Nats,

I am not sure of the overall weight but my guess is your 250 had a total weight of about 400lbs. Your new 400 pushes 800lbs. If you ever had to push your 250 out of something because you did not have a winch, I don't think you will be able to do it with your new 400.

Its actually a downfall of the big bore machines. Big engines, big tires, big machines = lots of weight. With a good set of tires and the ground clearence of the AC you may never need it. But, better safe than sorry. Not to mentionthe fact that it helps your friends out as much as it does you.

If you do not replace the stock tires soon then you should invest in a winch or get the dealer to sell you the $69 one. It is very easy to install as was already stated.

Good luck and enjoy yor new ride.

SJ

 

Actually the 250 weighs about 530 lbs and the 400 weighs about 635 lbs. I know cause I have both. But even the 250 is a bit heavy for pushin out of any hole and the 400 will not happen unless you took "Bubba" with ya. The dealer should have at least let you have the winch to install yourself. Hell, I paid less than you. I don't think he will lose any money on the 250 just probaly not make any either. This a pretty slow time for ATV sales and just moving the inventory off the floor is better that paying the interest and taxes that show up at the end of the year. Did the dealer include the customer satisfaction survey card from Arctic Cat, I'd roast him if he did. If not call AC again and ask for one, cause they need to know about this kind of crap.

 

The 250 is lighter than I thought it was. My 400i was 845lbs with my bug butt, a full tank of gas and my gear loaded on last time I ran it over the scales. That was prior to the new tires though. Which won't make a huge difference.

Still, I think Nats will need a winch. Even at $400 it will be money well spent. That machine is just too heavy to take any chances with.

I wasn't even charged for the winch install when I bought mine. Just $69 for the winch and a free oil change for each. Which they had to send to me.

 

Swampy; Oh I agree. My dealer now tells everyone the the $69 winch is the winch only and if you want it installed it will be $125 extra. They tell you they are giving you a great deal and they can't cut it any closer. I agree, as they beat everybody else I talked to by $1000 max to $300 bucks minimum. Why spend the money on the install anyway, the instructions are great, takes about 2 hours and it's nice to know the inner workings of your machine. Even my 250 has a winch and I know even if I was not crippled up I'd still want a winch. Some of the holes I've gone thru were deep. The dealer is screwin' Nats and ought not be allowed to do it. That winch cost him nothing.

 

Some dealerships are straight up jackasses. Back in 98, I priced a new 99 500 for $6850 (before tax). MSRP I think then was like $6500. The winch was $100 more at the time, and they would only give it to you if they installed it and it was another $50 to install. I laughed the guy out the door. Then went to my friend's place and paid $5500 out the door for the whole thing and put the winch on at home. Nice to have a friend whose dad owns a dealership I guess. The other place just had a good area to test ride in and some jerks for salesmen.

This is a crock on this winch stuff here. I'd like to be nearby that dealership so I could just go in from time to time and harrass salesmen there. Jerks.

 

I left 4 messages with reps from Artic Cat and not one has returned my call : ( You live and learn.

 

Can anyone offer an opinion on good tires for mud and woods riding? I see many of the Cat riders in this forum recommed changing out the stock tires and was looking for info on a good brand...also why?

 

Yeah, I can offer an opinion, don't know if it'll mean much :-) I'm running 27" Bearclaws on mine, and they have been superb, in all conditions I've taken it in, really good in the snow. I didn't find that I lost too much power either. I went with the 27's because they have bigger lugs than the 26's and they weigh <u>less</u>. Figure that one out. I did have to use spacers in the rear, but I have the ACT rear end.

 

Your next move is to contact the local Better Business Bureau and if nothing comes of that go to your State Attorney General Office, the fraud dept. This guy is committing a crime and if nothing else turn him in to the state guys who over see the business fraud. They can't advertize a deal and then not live up to it. That's fraud man; don't stop as he won't quit doing this until someone rams it in and breaks it off.