I currently own a 2001 AC 400 4X4. I think its a GREAT machine. However, on a recent hunting trip, I tried to give my buddy a lift to his area (I know that's a no-no) and it was impossible to shift with him on the back and the power was a little lacking. I decided right then and there to get an auto with more power.

I really don't want to spend more than $6K. I'm thinking of replacing it with either a 2003 AC 500i 4X4 or 2003 Kodiak 450 4X4 (the 2003 Grizzly 660 is my first choice but I think it's around $7K).

Question: has the new engine on the CAT been in service for a few years with Suzuki? I'm hesitant to buy anything that does not have a proven track record. My quad hasn't had a single problem and I don't want to trade it for one that will. Which do you think has the better transmission?

Anyway, I'm looking for opinions about these machines or any you feel I overlooked. As I do mostly trail riding, top speed is not an issue although I would prefer that it have little zip for when I want to play.

Thanks for any advice.

 

The engine in the 2003 AC 500's from what I understand is not an all new engine. It is the
same 493cc but with a hotter cam and a bigger carb, a 36mm instead of a 34mm and higher compression. The auyo tranny has been reworked some to adjust to the hotter motor. You
get more low end grunt and quicker clutch engagement.
I have been around a few Yamaha's here on the farm and ranch and my 454 may not be as
fast but it will out pull the Kodiak and pull right with the Grizzly with not near the electrical
and frame cracking problems. It's up to you on the final call but personally i'm sold on Arctic
Cat. The AC 500i will be our next ATV.

 

The advantages I see with the Kodi over the AC 500 are the locking front diff. and the narrow engine transmission case. I have a '00 AC 500A the width is not a problem for me. I think all the other advantages of the AC, more power, ground clearance, articulation... out weigh the locking diff. But everyone would not agree I'm sure.

 

Well maybe I can help you out a little. I have ridden Cats since 98 (98 500, 01 500a, 02 500 2 of them since the first was recalled and replaced, 01 250 4x4 still have it and an 03 90) and had quite a few of them. I will start by saying that I still love the Cats our 250 is great, I don't think there is another quad in it's class that can come close. My 98 Cat was great also over 3700 miles with no major problems still had the original wheel bearings and tie rod ends. I ran it with 27" Vampires for 3500 of those miles. The 01 was my least favorite, I didn't like the clutch engagment or the performance. The worst thing was that I couldn't keep the water out of the belt. I believe this has been fixed on the 02 + autos. My 02 had a few problems, nothing major but just little things. Brakes needed replaced at 500 miles, wheel bearings at 700, fan motor quit and headlight bulbs kept blowing. So I do know a few things about the Cats.
I traded for my 450 Kodiak a few months ago. So far I love it, I do miss the ride of the Cat but love the added speed and agility. These 2 quads are really in 2 different classes as far as I am concerned. The Cat is a great utility quad, the kodiak is a great quad if you are wanting a little more speed and sporty handeling. As far as pulling power the Cat will out pull it since it has more weight. I use to pull my Cats in atv pulls where we would have to add weight up to a max of 1050lbs. The 500 Cat did very good beat several other bigger quads. I pulled the Kodiak one time and it did real good actually beat a few Cats but that was because of weight placement not power.
The Kodiak is like 100lbs lighter and it is really noticable on the trail. It is easy to manuvure quicker to accellerate and easier to control. The ride is a little rougher but gets better as the speed picks up. The tranny is actually terrific probably the best engine braking of all quads that I have ridden even the Rubi. Well protected from water and quiet. As far as the digital guage package, no problems and it really is useful, I like it as long as it works. The push button 4x4 is really easy to use also, I like it too. The diff lock works great, but I don't use it as much as I thought I would.
What can I say about the Cat? You have one so you most likely know it's pros and cons allready. They are a good, solid, dependable, reliable work horses. But lacking on the creature comforts, for some of us anyway. I understand that this can be considered a plus for most of you. It was for me until I got some of the things that it was lacking.
If you like the Cat stay with them I have ridden the 03 500a and it has quite a bit more power. Myself I like my Kodiak, I was wanting something a little more sporty and agile. Cat doesn't make a quad in this class. But when I decide to trade this one in I will look at the Cats again. Cat has great customer service, and my AC dealer is still a good friend.
Good luck now that I have confused you even more. You really can't go wrong with either.

 

Not too long after I bought my 02 500i, I hauled two guys up a hill, to help me with some fence repair. One on the front rack, one on the back, plus tools and a spool of barbed wire, so it was probably close to a 400 pound load. The Cat took this load in stride, didn't bottom out, and I didn't have trouble shifting (have the manual tranny). Granted, I was going fairly slow, but never did the Cat feel borderline, nor did the engine bog down.

You shouldn't have any trouble getting a 500i for <$6k. I originally set out to get a Grizz, but the high price and early problems put me off. For $7k, a quad shoudn't have any known issues. I think they finally got it sorted out, but in retrospect, the Cat was a wise choice, given the fact that I work with it a lot. The 500i isn't scary fast, but it isn't slow, either. It's a little faster than my 350 bear in pure acceleration, and quite a bit faster over rough ground, due to the terrific suspension. The wide stance can be a pain in tight spots and on loading ramps, but it's great on hillsides. There's enough zip to get you down a trail, and enough payload to haul just about anything you need with you, without bottoming out or bogging the engine down.

Went riding with a neighbor and his Suzuki 500. Darned if the engine on the suzuki wasn't identical to the cat, right down to the hi/lo shift lever, so this engine has been around for a while.

 

I have a 400i manual and last week I took my cousin out to his hunting spot he wieghs about 280 and I wiegh 250 ,the 400i had no trouble pulling us out through the woods.I live in the Catskills of NY and it is mountainous here.On the way back in I had my cousin plus a large buck he shot with his bow on it and still had plenty of power to do the job.So I believe a 500 would definitely suit your needs.But I also believe it is wise to shop around and test every atv you are looking into.Good luck.

 

Thanks for the input, guys. I called my local dealer and they told me the 03's are coming in the middle of the month. I'll test ride the 500 and let you know my initial impressions. I'm leaning towards the CAT since I've had a good experience with them so far.