I have a old Polaris 1996 300 Explorer, which has served me well, but am looking to up date. I am on a budget and have $3000. to spend. (Friend offered me $1500 for the Polaris, so add aonther $1500.) I had my sights set on a Polaris 400, 2003 or 2004 but have not been able to find one in that price range. Watched E-Bay, they seem to bring much more. Found one on Craigs list and after spending $75 worth of gas to go see it. He neglected to tell me all the repairs it needed. CV joints, fan no work, rear brake caliper missing, and still wanted $2800. I found a AC 400 4X4 auto on Craigs list, just a couple of miles from me. Went to look at it. It is a 2004, with 118 miles on it and has been garaged, for $3000. Looks almost new. How will this compare with the Polaris? What about resale value? Is a AC just a Suziki cloned? The neareast AC dealer is about 30 miles away and I think he is going out of business. Polaris seem to be everywhere, and alot of Suzuki dealers. Could AC parts be bought there? I've looked at the various webb sites on all the different ATV's and none are free of complaints of some kind. (You cant please every one) How well will the AC hold up? Any advice welcome.

 

Yes some AC have Suzuki engines and some parts are the same. Sounds like a good deal! What model AC is it it?
Auto or manual? does it have front diff lock?

 

It is automatic, 4x4, and I assume it has diff. lock. How can I tell?

 

i ask the same question around when i was on the market for a quad. i end up going with the AC. can go wrong with a suzuki engine. i had a suzuki quad when i was younger and i couldn't kill it and god knows i tried. lolll.
the reason i went with AC is that i heard more bad thing from the polaris owners then the AC's mind you it all depends how you ride the thing too. it's like anything. If you ride it like a maniac, doesn't matter what you got, something is going to break.
i don't regret my cat what so ever

 

the Cats seem very sound

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: John 1139

It is automatic, 4x4, and I assume it has diff. lock. How can I tell?</end quote></div>



It should have a switch for 4wd and another switch or lever to lock the front.

 

i live 15 miles from the polaris factory and about 40 from the arctic cat factory and have owned them both. the polaris is a rushed product that has cheaper parts installed to make a quick buck, plain and simple. the 400 polaris is the toughest atv thepolaris has have on the market as of right now though (if you are to purchase any of them the 400 is it) the past 3 deer seasons we have had a polaris break down every year and there is only 2 of them up there. the ac has better ground clearance better rack capacity, the ride is very comparable for the 2 the polaris rides smoother in rougher terrain when driving slow but the cat soaks it up if you ride more aggressive in the rough stuff. i believe that year 400 has the one wheel wonder 4wd system though.

 

i live 15 miles from the polaris factory and about 40 from the arctic cat factory and have owned them both. the polaris is a rushed product that has cheaper parts installed to make a quick buck, plain and simple. the 400 polaris is the toughest atv thepolaris has have on the market as of right now though (if you are to purchase any of them the 400 is it) the past 3 deer seasons we have had a polaris break down every year and there is only 2 of them up there. the ac has better ground clearance better rack capacity, the ride is very comparable for the 2 the polaris rides smoother in rougher terrain when driving slow but the cat soaks it up if you ride more aggressive in the rough stuff. i believe that year 400 has the one wheel wonder 4wd system though.

 

I would get the Cat if it were me. The 04 AC400 Auto that I had was an excellent machine, and I had no problems in 2700 miles that I rode it.

 

Well I hope you fellows are right because I bought the AC. I can blame it on you if if fails. The owner could not find the owners manuel. So have alot of questions. The nearest Polaris dealer is going out of business, so have to find another one. Although I have always done my own rerpairs and maintaince on others. First thing I have to do is take my Waren winch off of the old polaris. Already found a mounting bracket for the AC on E-Bay and it is on its way. Ive got to go over and check everthing out, although he said he had it serviced by the dealer. He did,nt know much about it, or how to maintain it. He thought it was water cooled! I think he mistook the oil cooler. I dont think it has the diff. lock. Dont see any switch or lever. By being a belt drive does this still have a wet clutch? (I guess there is a differance in the type of oil you use) and does any one know what of oil goes in the front and rear diff. I want to check these myself to make sure they are not low. I've looket on E-Bay for a owner manuel but could not find anything. And how often do the valves have to be set, and do you know what the setting is? It has only 118 miles on it. I dont know what this would be equivelent in hours. Depends on how fast you were riding. If in a field, it wouldnt be a whold lot but if it was all rock climbing (no rocks in our area) where you was going 2mph that would be qute a few hours. I already like some of the things the Polaris does not have, foot rest area, large and well built luggage racks, with the removeable locking pins, and shifter and rope starter on left side, since I am left handed. Sure I will be asking alot of other questions as time goes on.