Wondering if these local prices on some new AC Atvs are a accurate or should I do more shopping around? These are the "out the door" prices that I got today.
05 400 auto for 5K
05 500 auto for 5850

1stly, are these good prices for AC in this size? will the prices go down more or up since drier season is on the way?

Second, is the 500 going to really be all that much better? I think it is also liquid cooled right?

Lastly,
I am close to buying one and still between AC and Polaris. I have pretty much eliminated all other brands. Asking either dealer is like asking a Chevy salesman what he thinks about Fords and vice versa.

Is there anyone in here that has or had both brands that could compare their experience?

Thanks in advance,
Brian

 

I was in the same boat you were about a month ago before I bought my AC. I looked at Polaris and they were a little more money. My friend has a Polaris and to me it seems like a lot more maintenance is needed on a Polaris than an AC (regular stuff like oiling this and that, plus the belt has been replaced a few times). The Polaris auto drive cover is plastic where the AC is aluminum - much stronger. You should drive both machines to see which you like, but I'm really happy with the AC. As far as prices go for the 2005 - both of those prices are really good. The 2005 400 model in NC was $5899 out the door so $5k for you is really good. Besides the cc difference between the 400 and 500, I don't know what the differences are, but I would save $850 and go with the 400. You'll want a winch for $400 and other stuff, so you could use that money. Others will say the Polaris is better then AC, but for my first ATV, I went with reputation of the Arctic Cat from my snowmobile days and it's been a blast.

 

like kap said the polaris is higher maintanance but i gotta admit that the polaris 500 sportsman has a lil more power then the cat 500 but if that is really important to you then you could always go up a size to. i have had good luck with my cat's and i would have to say that the very large percentage of people in here who have cats are happy with them to.

 

thoses sound like really good prices to me. I had my choices to polaris and AC, but the polaris is alot more work to clean, higher maintanance and cost more. Too many things they can use against you to void a warranty plus it was only a 6 month warranty and AC had 2 year.

MHO the polaris is faster but not better, AC really did their research from what I see the 500 is liquid cooled and alittle beefer, one thing I like the 400 over 500 is the black plastic fenders you can beat the crap out of them and they hold together no fear of breaking or cracking. I'm not saying the 500 does either but if you squeeze it between 2 trees something has to give and those little black flares just flex and pop back with out stress cracks not sure how the 500 holds up, plus if you do you break them you can replace them and not the entire thing.

Look at the build, 2inch hitch recever, metal racks that you can actually use, I'm not sure what you will use but I use mine alot and I look at my buddies polaris and it's only good for storage inside. Ground clearence, your not going to win any land speed records but you will get there. Plus I have not hear of any issues with the AC autos.

Get the winch you will need it, try talking your dealer into giveing you a deal.

 

AND REMEMBER THE AC STAYS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE WHEN YOU GO DOWN HILL THE POO POO WONT!!! ASK THE DEALER IF YOU CAN SEE SOME WORK ORDERS FOR WHATEVERS IN THE SHOP AND THEN SEE WITCH ONE HAS MORE PROBLEMS AND COSTS MORE. sorry abought the caps.

 

what are your uses going to be, if you lean more toward utility you can do much better than 5k on a 2005

 

I say Arctic Cat. I am a former Polaris owner, and still like them, but won't go back.

 

NO POLARIS there BELT Driven! (BAD INVENTION) Whenever it gets wet you cant go anywhere and it can get wet often!

 

My experience with Polaris has been a 500 Sportsman to compare to my AC 650.

The Polaris is flatter handling on smooth trails and at speed. It has a sway bar on the back IRS where the AC does not. The front doesn't seem to plow as much either but I have heard that is due to the AC having radials. It rides comfortably and has sufficient power for the way I ride. The seat seems a bit too wide for me and after a few hours of riding, my hip joints started to ache. That is just an issue with me and my short legs and may not be a problem for others. I kind of like the gear shifter on the right like the Polaris over the left side like the AC but that again is me. I also like the added headlight on the instrument pod of the Polaris. The new integrated storage boxes under the racks are a novel idea but not that practical. More often than not, if you need something in the boxes, you will have gear strapped on top and will have to unload it to get to the boxes. That is a high inconvenience factor to me.

The AC seems to shine when the smooth trail turns to ruts, rocks, and stuff that needs climbing over. Oh it rides very smooth too but it isn't as agile or flat handling as the Polaris. But the Polaris struggled to get through terrain the AC took in stride. I went over logs in 2wd in the AC that I had to go to 4wd (and make a run at) to get over on the Polaris. Takes on deeper water without soaking your feet (or the drive belt).

The AC floorboards are larger and more comfortable to me. I seemed to get my feet in weird positions to get comfy on the Polaris but then again, it may just be how I like to sit on an ATV.

Advantages to AC:

Longer warranty
More ground clearance
4wd when YOU want it.
Metal racks that don't crack after a few years like the plastic Polaris racks.
MRP racks!!
Weighs less
Costs less
Reliability
Downhill engine braking that doesn't lock the rear
Huge gas tank.
LOOKS.

A friend of mine has a Polaris Expedition 425. He has a farm and uses it alot for chores. He likes it OK although it seems something is always broken on it. He doesn't baby it so I guess that is a good test of reliability. Currently he is trying to get another friend to come down in price and sell him his 2005 AC TBX.

My dealer sells AC, Kawasaki, and Polaris. He says the new Polaris are much better quality than those of even 5 years ago. He still prefers the Kawasaki for fun trail riding and the AC for all around utility.