After reading about how badly the Auto-Cat "rated" against the Polaris Magnum and Grizzly(4-wheel action), I started to wonder if the Auto-cat lost some of its "zing' compared to it's manual tranny brother. I've got a manual tranny 99 AC500, and haven't gotten the chance to ride one of the new Auto-tranny Cats. You AC fanatics who have, can you tell any difference in the power over the Manual? I have ridden with a both a Sportsman (close to the Magnum) and a Grizz, and felt my quad had the edge in terms of raw torque. The Sportsman's belt would slip sometimes (love the smell of that belt burning!) and the Griz, although faster than lightin' on takeoff, couldn't ease over slippery rocks and boulders quite as easily as I did. Maybe it is just rider skill, but the main reason I got my Cat was to make up for the LACK of skill. I have found my quad to be very forgiving when those "little" situations arise when you end up leaving a ridge on your quad seat because you're hind end was puckered up so tight!

 

I own a 99 500 and a 2000 auto 500 that I just picked uo yesterday. I got about 3000 miles on the 99 with no real problems so when it came to buying a 2nd ATV I stayed with the cat. Personaly I like the 5 speed but the kids wanted the auto. I've got less then a 1/2 mile on the auto but right from the start it seems faster on take off. The only thing I dont like is that thay went to a smaller tire's. When I get more miles on the auto I'll post my findings..