Battle of the manuals

Just wondering i'm looking into getting a Manual machine, something geared more for indistruction. I see a hard pick here. I want a 500CC machine with gears, my question is I want the ultimate strength in everyway. I know the traxter has this, but I also like the Manual Cat, as it now comes with Independant, the only manual out there with that, and has a 2wd option which is more cosmetic but good. The only thing it dosen't have is a locking front diff and the rad seems to be vulnerable looking in the front. But other than that I hear and seen that they are very tough also. How are they on fuel as to a traxter which is very good on fuel. I'm looking for any info anyone can help with.
This is a battle that i'm having a great deal of difficulty with. The reason i'm not going for a grizzly is I don't want a 660, if they had a 500 then it would be different with a manual tranny. Auto is great but I miss gears believe it or not.
Does anyone have that battle they had on this site last year between the Cat and the Traxter.
What kind of miles do you have on your machine! I seen a traxter on this site with 12000 miles he said, if that is true that has to be a record.
Thanks