i was checking out some of the 2002 AC 400's and thought they were pretty nice. i need something around $5000 or less, good 4x4(preferably in/out), comfortable ride, large towing capacity, good for muddin,hunting, and light farm work. would these machines be any good for this? whats the top speed on these? i would want a 5-speed auto clutch.......thanks for your answers

 

I just got the 400i 4x4 about a month ago. I couldn't be happier with it. The ride is very comfortable, with great ground clearance. Shifting from 2wd to 4wd is very easy. Steering is pretty easy too. In fact, I had it in 4wd for about an hour of riding, and really couldn't tell the difference between 2wd and 4wd, as far as steering was concerned. Power is plenty for what I have to do. I look at power this way. How many guys really need a 1 ton pickup? 10% maybe? For the rest of us, a quarter ton pickup works just fine, and does everything we need it to do. I think ATV's are the same way. Too many people get caught up in the "more power" thing, I think. Sure it's nice to have the extra power, but you have to balance it out with available funds, and ask if it's really needed. I know guys with 300 machines, and they do everything they want to do with them with no complaints.

The only things I would rank a bit lower: 1. Since it has such ground clearance, it does sit high. I wonder what would happen on some really hilly terrain. 2. Top speed is not that great - but I really don't care about that. I usually cruise about 15-20 mph in the woods anyway, so speed isn't important. 3. There is an annoying buzzing sound from the skid plate at certain idle speeds. Some 1" weather stipping took care of that.

I got mine for a bit more than your budget - about $5300. But you get $500 in accessories too, so that really would include a winch if you wanted it, which is really easy to install.

Good luck.

 

I can answer the hill stability question. The " i " models are very stable. The other weekend my friend and I were quading on some steep hills, he drives the Honda 300 4x4 ES and I drive my 500i manual. We both tackled the same side hall, I went first with, no problem. I was so confident I even showed him how I could not flip my quad, I jumped on the down side and tugged and tugged on it, she would not flip. I laughed at the honda. Next he went and thought his quad was as stable as mine, boy was he wrong. First of all he went faster than me but his quad just tipped over, I laughed my *** off and helped him out. It was funny. He couldn't understand why it rolled over, he doesn't have the experience that I do but it was funny. The point is that the " i " models are very stable on hills.

 

I had my 400 act up to 53 on the speedo. Don't know what that is in "real life" (with a GPS). Once you get past 45 or so, though, the climb for those last few mph is long.

I paid $5370 for mine, but I am sure you can get them for less now that the "i" models are out.

 

I have a 400i and could not be happier. As far as hill climbing, it is great. It is very stable and easy to turn. Imay put some of the new radial Outlaws on it sometime and see what they do, but the 400i is very nice for the price!