Could anybody with a 400 4x4 give me your opinion on this machine. Looking to trade up from a 2000 300 cat 4x4. Need a few more ponies under the seat.

 

If you want a 400 model you might as well get a 500 model cause for a 400 model it is underpowered(it's only a 371cc motor). The 500 on the other is one of, if not, the most powerfull bike in it's class.

 

What he said. The difference in price between the two doesn't justify the drop off in power. Plus, the racks on the 500 are a little sturdier, or at least the 2000 and older models were. Now if you can find a real good deal on a 400, it would be a good idea. If the difference is $500 or less, I would wait a bit and get the 500. Better to wait than to regret later. Thats just my opinion. It actually took me over a year to decide what I actually wanted. Let me tell you, the process can sometimes be sickening.

 

I have a 400 that I bought in April and to date I am very pleased. It has lots of power, in fact I run with a Kawasaki 400 Prarie. The two bikes are almost identical, although the prarie seems to pull away from me in the midrange,the cat is with the prarie as we near top speed. both bikes run up to 50MPH with no problem. As far as bottom end goes with the cat in low range it has all kinds of torque. I disagree with the statement that it is underpowered. I will be honest though and say I have not yet driven a 500 cat. I am sure it will be the same as using a new 700MHZ P3 after using my 433, the increase will be noticed and it will be hard to go back. For me the decision was based on value. The differance in cost in CDN dollars was $1000.00 which is about $675.00 US. The only thing you get is about 120CC, other than that they are identical. I fell the need to defend the 400. It is about the same price as a Honda 350, Yamaha 400 BB and the 300 Prarie. When compared to these machines of very similar price by features, it was an easy decision for me. Well, thats enough said, thats my 2 cents worth
Cheers Jim

 

I think my dad and I are headed towards an AC 400 4x4, we are starting to look because the little Honda we got keeps breaking.

jkb- How much did you get your 400 4x4 for if you don't mind telling me. and what year is it?

 

Well here is a quote from the Summer 2000 issue of ATV Magazine:

""....we've always looked at the 400 as a compromise. It doesn't have nearly as much powr as the big 500's. Nor does it carry a rider as comfortably as the independently-suspended Arctic Cat 300.
So how would it compare to these (all 400 utility class ATV's)? Out experience on the AC 400 would lead us to believe it;s the least powerful in the class, if we're talking about pure engine power.""

They go on to say these good things about the AC 400:

"To the Cat's advantage, however, is its excellent suspension (same as the AC 500) which realy does help the machine act more powerfully because the tires stay on the ground giving traction. And it has a low range for working grunt."

 

Ohh great, so now what??...I'm about to buy a low powered Arctic-cat?? Is that what you people are trying to say??...LOL

 

If I recall the article, it mentioned that they did not have the 400 on hand to compare it to the other 400's. The next edition of ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE magazine is going to feature a article on the 400 cat. This magazine is a canadian publication and a excellent one at that. They never have a problem getting any atv to do a ride evaluation on, they had the new raptor ride report, long before any US publication had a chance to.

 

No they didn't have the 400 FOR THAT TEST, but they have tested them in the past. The reason they didn't have the Arctic Cat's for that test was cause of the massive sales and lack of dealers.

 

Well I have a 00 400 4x4 with a warn winch and I've had a great time on mine. Of course I too would love to have more power with mine or even the 01 500 manual cat if I could slide it past the wife. But I have 4 buddies here that have cats 3 500's and 1 just bought a 01 400 2 weeks ago and when we are all out playing I can go wherever they can go. Matter of fact I can go through more then 2 of the 500's due to tires. I use mine for hunting and trapping so I've loaded my racks down and haven't had any problems there. 400 01 4x4 are $4999 here compared to $6500 for the 500. A year ago when I bought mine that was a big factor for me although I still dream about a 500 every now and then, but as long as my 400 keeps me in the great outdoors I can't complain. So whatever you get......enjoy!!!!!

Darryl
00 400 4x4 cat