this quad looks very good to me, especially with the manusl trans(dont want an auto) can anyone tell me any personnal experiences with it. thanks

 

i have a 2002 375 auto 4x4 which is now the 400 starting in 2003 models it has been i great bike i use it for hunting ,working around the house pulling mowers and my trailer with my welding rig and trail riding artic cat has the best ride in my opinion i've only had one problem and it was with the foot brake i was riding and went into a creek and got hung up ,i was working the the bike back and forth and the mud had 2"rocks in it one got inside the back right wheel and broke the pad housing. no big deal the thing didnt work that good any way so i just took it a part other than that no problems

 

I have a 400i auto and just love the machine. Went with an auto for the wife and kids sake. I've ridden my bud's Honda Foreman and Rancher and I think I made the right choice. The ride on the A/C is much better than either of those Hondas. It also carrys more weight, pulls more weight has greater ground clearance. The only thing I prefer on the Honda's is the instrumentation. The price on the A/C was the thing that sealed the deal. $5,300.00 out the door with a 2500# Warn winch at Wheels USA in Oxford, MI in November 2002. Even after adding all the goodies on mine I still paid less than half what my bud did for his two machines with winches and a plow. We've got over 400 mi on it and no problems. It never required more than 2 cranks even in the coldest weather this winter. My opinion, you can't beat the combination of features, quality, and price. I'd definately do it again



Artic Cat 400i Auto Lime Green

Front brush guard
Rear Bumper
Heated hand grips and throttle
Third headlight
Rack extensions front and rear
Hand guards
Fender flair extensions
2500 lb Warn winch
Tank bag

 

I have only had mine a month and have put on 70 wonderfull miles. I can't think of any thing wrong.

 

I've got an 02 400i manual 4x4 and my wife has an 03 400i auto 4x4. When I first got mine I had to get the fan relay replaced. Other than that and the ball joint recall, it has been trouble free. I do not baby it either-I'd rather go through the swamp than around it. I'd rather go over the tree than around it. I've got 27" tires on it and have had no problems. The thing is a tank. They are not fast, but have lots of torque and GC. I can't comment on my wifes as it has only 23 miles on it. (Just picked it up last week). I can tell you I prefer the manual over the auto by a wide margain. The 400 is easy to do routine maintanence on also. The only drawback i have is mine is not cold blooded. When it is cold (below 20) I have to babysit it while it warms up by either feathering the throttle or adjusting the choke as it warms up. Put a winch, some tires and some bumpers on it and you'll have the meanest looking quad in Iowa.

 

I also looking at a new Arctic Cat, also probably the 400 manual. I am considering the 500 manual too, but the AC mechanic that I talked to said that if you are going with the manual, he'd take the 400 over the 500, given the price difference. ALmost as fast and lighter (cant figure that one out as they are listed as about the same weight). He said he has driven all configurations and for 99% of applications, the best in his opinion is the 400 manual.

Thats what he said anyways.......

 

I bought an 03 400i last September....only got 100 miles on it due to snowmobile season. I hope the engine loosens up and makes more power. The power is pretty low right now. One other gripe is that the Hi-Lo "ransfer case" doesn't give you low range in reverse......kinda crappy when your in 3 feet of loon ****. Needs a front locker too but that's a whole seperate issue. Other than that, the clearance is huge, ride is stiff for an IRS machine (which I like), and the machine will basically lumber through anything.

Few pics in here

 

Do you have an automatic? Is the machine underpowered right now? I have heard that they do have more power after they break in, but how much more I dont know. Maybe a 500 is a better choice?

 

The only time my 400 has let me down on the trail is when I got high centered on a rut. Only larger tires would have helped there. If you will be doing a lot of hauling and towing with the machine, look at the 500. Otherwise the 400 should be more than sufficient.

 

i have a 2003 500 and it has low gear in reverse, maybe the 400s dont have that. another good reason to get a 500. a little more money, a little more power = alot more fun. plus low gear in reverse.