I am shopping for a new AC. I have heard several good things about the 500's and the 650's. I am shopping for me and my 4 year old daughter to ride togeather. I want an automatic, easier with a little one on behind. I do not want a TRV, She has a hard time holding on in rough terain. A seat on the rear rack is the way I want to go. The H1 is too hard to find and a Prowler in not available for a while. Just wanted some honest opinions on the 500 & 650 & 05 OR 06. THANKS FOR THE INPUT.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

I know you said you are looking for an AC, but you may want to take a serious look at the King Quad. I bought a brand new AC 500 last year and I thought it was nice. A month ago just out of curiosity, I drove a new King Quad. A week later I traded my AC in on the King. There is no comparison between the two. Not considering the engine size, the KQ handles so much better, better ride, and especially EFI. This is only my opinion, but do yourself a favor and test all the brands to see what fits YOU best.

 

Not realy intrested in any but an AC. Thanks for your input. I am happy with the features of this one.

 

Starting with 05, the 500 and 650 are in the same chassis.
If you don't care about going fast or in deep mud, the 500 will get you around fine(and are very trouble free).
Not much difference in 05 to 06, so I would look for a great price on an 05(500 or 650).
I have an 05 500 that I really like and this is after many years of aggressive dirtbike riding,
but I am just using the ATV to get around and use a bike when I want to get around fast.

 

IF you don't care much for power you can't beat the deals on the 05 500's. They are proven and very reliable. There are some minor changes that were made to the 06 500's, such as the improved muffler flow, analog instrumentation pod, etc., but the looks are the same so I would take a good look at a 05. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] I know a lot of people here will get on me for saying this, but the Arctic Cats are perfect for riding double as the seats are nice and big, a TRV really isn't needed unless you have two big people and/or do a lot of riding. Good luck to you!

 

Just bought a 06 500 LE and I love it. I priced out an 05 500 w/ front and rear bumpers and the winch and it came out only $300.00 cheaper than the 06.
I really don't like the new gauge on the 06 though.

 

Thanks for all the great opinions. I priced the 2 bikes today and the 06 AC 500LE looks like the way I want to go. I want to make one ajustment and that is a mud light tire. I want the factory tires for our next trip to mena. We try to go at least once a year.

 

Snox314, if you don't mind me askig. How much did you pay for your 06 500 LE out the door? Just trying to get some prices togeather to take to some dealers down here in Texas. Thanks for the help[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Paid $6800.00 OTD. Not the greatest deal, but it is early in the 06 model year. I also worked at the dealership for a while so they still
let me bring stuff in and work on it. Plus they give me great deals on parts still.

 

Snox, jennruss is my wife, and we are shopping for her a 500LE. The best we found for an '06 was 6886 OTD. There are about 5 AC dealers within 60 miles of us, so we will keep negotiating. But I agree with what you said about an '05, once you get it decked out, you might as well get the '06 LE.