Since there both made with the same engine which one should I get?

 

Andy, I can get the Cat for about $5000 (standard shift) or get the Auto for about $200 more. Which whould you get. Which do the majority of drivers prefer?

 

Whitetail, which do YOU prefer?

Regardless of the popularity of an option, at $ 200 or 4 % of the quad price difference, by all means satisfy your own requirements.

A meaningful answer to your question seems impossible at this time anyway, because the automatic has just been released.

Whatever choice you make will be the correct one, as long as it's your own, good luck!

Tree Farmer

 

Your right! I'm better off getting "one of the good bikes", than not having one at all.

The standard is a good machine and is far better than what I have now (nothing) and it's at a good price. I'm sold!

 

Really depends. The engine and tranny are the same. I would get the AC because the ride and suspension are better, plus it has hydraulic disc brakes all the way around. I also like the overall stability. The suzuki will steer lighter and will be more nimble. It probably weighs less too, but 50 lbs. isn't really that much of a difference for this size of a bike. You should read the reviews of the Suzuki 500's and the arctic cats on the forum here. They don't have one about the automatic AC, but the one on the regular 500 will give you an idea on how it rides, handles, etc. Use the things they discuss about the transmission on the Quadmaster as a reference to the tranny on the AC. They are the same, so they will have virtually no differences. Mainly the best thing to do is to check them both out at a dealer.

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Andy Bassham *(1999 Arctic Cat 500 4x4, 1989 Honda 300)*

 

Those are unbeatable prices on either machine. If you are right on your posted prices, they are $1000 each less than MSRP, and look to be actually below what I heard was dealer cost. They normally run around $6000 standard and $6200-$6300 automatic. At this price, get whichever you like best. If you prefer the automatic transmission, get it. $200 isn't enough to matter when you're already paying $5000. I prefer standard transmissions myself, but If I liked autos better, I'd pay the extra 2 bills. These prices seem awfully cheap. You won't find another 500 class bike at that price. The only regular advantages with the automatic are the .5 gal more fuel capacity (no biggie), and the hydraulic foot brake (worth it). Its just what you want. The automatic doesn't have any real advantages other than ease of operation. If you don't want to shift, get it. If shifting isn't a factor, save a little. Oh yeah, the automatic can run in 2wd as well which is worth having. I wish mine could do that. That might be worth $200. I still like the regular shift better myself, but I'm not the one buying here either. Get what you think will suit you best, because the differences aren't enough to really sway you one way or the other.

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Andy Bassham *(1999 Arctic Cat 500 4x4, 1989 Honda 300)*

 

Andy, I just called the dealer and told them I'll be in next week to get one. There getting in the auto's next week also so I'll be able to lood at them. $5599 is the price quotted to me for the AC 500 manual. I was going to dicker with them a little more but after reading what you said I don't think I'll push it too much further. Good point's you brought up about the automatic, I'll give them a close look.

 

Andy, that was a great price. The dealer that I'd have to go to is about an hour away. I live in central Massachusetts and the AC dealer is in Rhode Island.

I don't see what all the fuss is about a manual shift; there's no clutch, it's not like your doing a hell of allot to kick it down or up. If there's more to it than that, someone please let me know before I buy the darn thing.

 

If you plan on riding double, go with the auto. It is very hard to shift an Arctic Cat with a passenger on the back.

If I were buying another quad today It would be the auto, but only if I could keep my manual shift 500.

What type of riding do you do?

Do you plan on useing your quad for work?



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Arctic Cat 500, Not your average Kitty, The New King Of the Jungle

 

I don't plan on useing it for work (occasionally), but I do plan on riding double. What so hard about shifting on an AC with a passenger on board?

[This message has been edited by whitetail (edited 09-05-1999).]