Hi everybody, I am a new owner of a 2002 500 Auto that I purchased last week. Thanks to this forum and a bud who has an AC 500 manual, I really feel I made the right choice buying Arctic Cat. Went riding in the mountains here in Colorad this weekend to break her in, WoW! The thing has nothing but guts. I was really thrilled with everything. Of course I did find out that I too have a problem with the transmission vent line being to close to the exaust. I covered it with aluminum foil until I can get it fixed. I thought I did my homework pretty good on prices, but I am sure some paid less and some paid more. I drove to Kansas to pick mine up. Out the door, $6245.00 with a Warn 2500 winch. Here in Colorado the bike would have been over $7000.00. Anyway just wanted to say thanks for all the good info. Hope I can help in future talks. Ride on

 

It's too bad you guys did'nt live in the East Coast. The dealers in PA and NY are selling these for up to $1,000 under sticker. They don't want to sell the Cats they want to sell the high dollar Polaris'. Enjoy the mountains KoolKat!

 

Still getting used to my new 01 500 auto myself. Since I use the machine for hunting, I have been able to follow anywhere my buddy cares to go on his old honda 300 4x4. Haven't felt any shortage of power or traction at any time. Will have to wait and see on the upkeep. The radiator looks kind of exposed to damage from sticks around the grill to me, and the factory CV guard looks flimsy to me. Looking for something to add inside the fenders to protect the radiator from the sides, mayby something like the skid plate is made out of would be nice. Appears that there is already holes in the right places to install some sort of guard.