Well I've been reading these forums for the past several days and frankly for me, If I based my decision solely on these messages I'd choose an AC500. I've also been looking at the 400, Kodiak, and Big Bear. For the price, though the others aren't matching up, but that's for another post.

My question - it seems like right now is kind of a slow time of year and dealers may negotiate more on prices compared to in the spring or fall. Is there a best time of the year to buy?

 

I've been looking also. I've almost made my up mind and like you thats for another post, but here is some insite from My brother. He purchased a Suzuki Quad king 300 about this time last year. We are from Northern Wisconsin thus having snowmobiles he didn't take it out. Late this fall on a nicer day he went out to ready his trap line for the up coming season. He claims not to have been "torquing" on the the machine. But $1200 for a rebuild, I question him on that. Anyway his point to me Buy it when you know your going to be able to take it out and use it(not abuse it)so if anything happens hopefully it will be covered by warranty. As for around here I found a dealer in Trego WI. ,that will probably have my business in the spring. They sell at $200 over dealers cost on all CAT'S . Anyways LOL

 

From what it looks like in my area, yeah, now isn't a bad time to buy. We bought two '00 AC 500 Autos last April, and were kind of at the tail end of the "dealing" stages of the year, if that makes sense. Seems like fall is not really a good time, as it is hunting season, and people are out getting their new quad for that. As a result, dealers are less likely to negotiate, as they know they'll have somebody come in another 15 minutes later who is willing to pay the price. Anytime they are coming out the the next model year is also a good time, as they're trying to clear out the older models. I think you can find some pretty good deals on both the '00 and '01 'Cat 500's from what I've been hearing here lately. Oh, and on a side note, for the price, it's an excellent machine, especially for all the features when compared to others across the board. I absolutely love mine, and they're tough as hell too.

Best of luck,

Mike

 

I have always considered the Fall as being the best time to buy. That is when the manufacturers seem to offer the most incentives in terms of special financing and add-on specials.

The only tip that I might add is that in my opinion, the best deals can be had with those who sell ATV's as a side business. For example, I bought my quad from a tractor dealership who sold it several hundred below list. The local ATV dealer looked at me as if I was crazy when I questioned his first quote at list.

 

The next model year of machines come out in July. So in this July you will be able to buy a 2002 model. Most dealers are willing to really deal at the end of each year. Around December/ January time. My local AC dealer told me sales really start picking up then end of march beginning of April. I also thnk it all depends on how many machines the dealer has left. If the dealer has a lot of machines then they will make great deals. If their inventories are okay then they won't deal too much. I have found that sometimes a rural dealer is more willing to negotiate than a big city dealer just because they don't have the volume of customers. The fourth thing on wether a dealer is willing to deal is their phylosophy/attitude toward selling. Some are more customer oriented and others are their to get the most money they feel they can for the machine. I guess there just isn't one reason why some are willing to negotiate on the price of the machine. the only thing you can do is shop around until you find the best deal.