Mitch,

Yah...I looked real hard at the camo Grizz. I bow hunt, and everything I own, other than my Dodge Diesel Sport(lifted, 35" BFG's, Nitro Alum rims, Warn Transformer grill gaurd/12,000 lb winch) & my house is camo. What finally settled it for me was my wife pointed out that I always buy camo kits for my quads, so I may as well get the LE Silver, and use a camo kit when I want. So, on the advise of my wife, I forgoed the camo, and got silver...which I love. Now, about turn arounds...my wife wants a new quad, something with an automatic, she doesn't want a grizz because the power "scares" her <g>, but is leaning towards an AC375 and the 400 Kodiak..she's leaning towards the Kodiak in guess what color? CAMO. <BG> And fortunately, my wife is currently hooked on ATV's. She was pushing pretty hard for a new home on some other property we own...but now just wants to go 4 wheelin every weekend.....so far so good.

I must admit, that were I ever to go to a full sport quad, it would be the 660R Raptor. That machine is just absolutely killer. So, to kind of satisfy myself, I'm replacing my 7 year old son's blazer with a Raptor 80. At least I'll be able to admire the raptors good looks by virtue of my son. <G>

Happy Holidays

SilverBear

 

Hey Silverbear, we're neighbors! I'm a little south of you on Mica Flats, but will be moving up by Jewel Lake on some property we have next year. I'm looking to buy a bike, would like to throw a few questions at you. I now know 3 people in the area that have 2002 Griz's. Who did you buy yours from, and would you recommend them? When I last stopped in Kootenai Saw and Cycle was promoting the Traxter, I don't believe they had a Griz in. The dealer at State Line was out as well. How much did you pay, if I can ask? The neighbor at the new property bought his at a dealer in Sandpoint, said he paid around $6800 with tax, winch, etc. Is this a good deal? I've been thinking about a AC500 as well, I'll be using it both for work (plowing a long driveway), skidding logs, as well as playing. The AC dealer in CDA has shut his doors, I'm not sure who is taking on the franchise. The guy in Pinehurst seemed OK to talk to, but I felt he was high on price.

Thanks.
Bri

 

Hey Brian~



<< Hey Silverbear, we're neighbors! I'm a little south of you on Mica Flats, but will be moving up by Jewel Lake on some property we have next year. >>



What a small world. I actually live about a mile south of the Silverwood Theme Park. Where is Jewel Lake?



<< I'm looking to buy a bike, would like to throw a few questions at you. >>



Not a problem. That's what I've been doing here in these forums since I found them. What a wealth of information that people have to offer here.



<< I now know 3 people in the area that have 2002 Griz's. Who did you buy yours from, and would you recommend them? >>



Kootenia Saw &amp; Cycle. I called every dealer in north Idaho and Washington. I liked the guy in St Maries, but Kootenia Saw &amp; Cycle are closer and the gal I dealt with, Eva, is awesome. She's a straight shooter, and she doesn't BS you. As with anything I buy new, the dealers always treat you like a king, but I always tell them...what will make me repeat my business is the way I'm treated after the sale. My experience with KS&amp;C so far after the sale has been as good, if not even better then prior to the sale. Everytime I take the Grizz in for something (oil/diff change, winch installation, etc) I am told how many days to expect it to take, and =everytime= I receive a call the same day and am told to come get my Grizz 'cuz she's done. I can't say enough good about my experience with them. I will be buying a Raptor 80 for my son from them, and most likely a new Kodiak for the wife, if that's the quad she decides on...from Kootenia Saw &amp; Cycle.



<< When I last stopped in Kootenai Saw and Cycle was promoting the Traxter, I don't believe they had a Griz in. The dealer at State Line was out as well. How much did you pay, if I can ask? >>



I paid $7,725.45 with tax, winch, etc for a Silver Limited Edition Grizz. The Silver LE &amp; Camo Grizz are more money then the regular colors. KS&amp;C does sell the traxter as well, but when I bought my Grizz..they had two in stock.



<< The neighbor at the new property bought his at a dealer in Sandpoint, said he paid around $6800 with tax, winch, etc. Is this a good deal? >>



That sounds like a very good deal.



<< I've been thinking about a AC500 as well, I'll be using it both for work (plowing a long driveway), skidding logs, as well as playing. The AC dealer in CDA has shut his doors, I'm not sure who is taking on the franchise. The guy in Pinehurst seemed OK to talk to, but I felt he was high on price. >>



I wouldn't shy away from the AC500 either. The AC500I was my first choice. (I hadn't seen the new 660 Grizz yet) I bought my AC300 from the CDA dealer before he shut his doors, so then went to the Spokane dealer. He ticked me off to the point that I wouldn't buy anything from him, than it came down to me wanting a quad sooner than waiting for the AC500I, and I checked out the Grizz at KS&amp;C and was sold. My family is full of Arctic Cats, and not one of them has ever had a problem with them, and they do work them hard. I would say that you should ride both of them, and depending on the type of riding you do, pick which one you feel will suit you the best. The Arctic Cat doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles like the Grizz, but on the flip side, there's not much that can go wrong with an AC electronicly. I would have to say if your looking to do a lot of work such as skidding logs and such, I would likely lean towards the AC500 with the ACT suspension....I think solid rear axled machines are better equipped for that over the independant rear suspensions. The AC500I is supposed to have a ton of suspension, however I have never rode it. The 660 Grizz....it'll do anything you want it to, with style, and lots of snappy power. I would say it's more a &quot;sport utility&quot; and the AC is more &quot;utility&quot; although both are bound to give you a lot of fun.

Hope this helps you out....

Happy Holidays!
SilverBear

 

Silverbear,



&lt;What a small world. I actually live about a mile south of the Silverwood Theme Park. Where is Jewel Lake?

It's a little Northwest of you-go up 95 past Cochalla and turn left on Dufort Road, the turnoff is down about 5 miles. Little lake, maybe 3/4 of a mile long. We stumbled on to the property and couldn't turn it down.

&lt;&lt; I'm looking to buy a bike, would like to throw a few questions at you. &gt;&gt;

&lt;&lt;&lt;Not a problem. That's what I've been doing here in these forums since I found them. What a wealth of information that people have to offer here.&gt;&gt;&gt;

Thanks, I've learned alot here already.



&lt;&lt; The neighbor at the new property bought his at a dealer in Sandpoint, said he paid around $6800 with tax, winch, etc. Is this a good deal? &gt;&gt;



&lt;That sounds like a very good deal.&gt;

Thats what I thought, based on what I've seen on this forum. A friend of his (from CA of course) said they were $1800 more down there-he bought his up here and is trailering it south.

&lt;&lt; I've been thinking about a AC500 as well, I'll be using it both for work (plowing a long driveway), skidding logs, as well as playing. The AC dealer in CDA has shut his doors, I'm not sure who is taking on the franchise. The guy in Pinehurst seemed OK to talk to, but I felt he was high on price. &gt;&gt;

&lt;I wouldn't shy away from the AC500 either. The AC500I was my first choice. (I hadn't seen the new 660 Grizz yet) I bought my AC300 from the CDA dealer before he shut his doors, so then went to the Spokane dealer. He ticked me off to the point that I wouldn't buy anything from him, than it came down to me wanting a quad sooner than waiting for the AC500I, and I checked out the Grizz at KS&amp;C and was sold. My family is full of Arctic Cats, and not one of them has ever had a problem with them, and they do work them hard. I would say that you should ride both of them, and depending on the type of riding you do, pick which one you feel will suit you the best. The Arctic Cat doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles like the Grizz, but on the flip side, there's not much that can go wrong with an AC electronicly. I would have to say if your looking to do a lot of work such as skidding logs and such, I would likely lean towards the AC500 with the ACT suspension....I think solid rear axled machines are better equipped for that over the independant rear suspensions. The AC500I is supposed to have a ton of suspension, however I have never rode it. The 660 Grizz....it'll do anything you want it to, with style, and lots of snappy power. I would say it's more a &quot;sport utility&quot; and the AC is more &quot;utility&quot; although both are bound to give you a lot of fun. &gt;

Yeah, I'm kind of planning on the AC500 with ACT. From everything Cowboy has said it sounds like a great work and go-anywhere rig, just not the fastest thing out there. Sounds like it should be less expensive as well, and it's 60 lbs or so heavier than the Griz-that extra beef must be good for some strength. Of course there is no such thing as too much power-I'll have to get out and ride, and perhaps plow, with both this winter.

&lt;Hope this helps you out....&gt;

Thanks-it does. Still too many choices though [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img].

Bri

 

Ya know I am gonna say the 660 Griz. Best all around quad for the money.
IMHO

 

Bri,

Keep me posted on what quad you get....perhaps we can get together someday and ride.

SilverBear

 

Just bought a 2002 350 rancher 4x4 w/50&quot; plow..........this bike is has enough power to do what ever you need done..and its still small enough to manage threw the tight trails.......i love it......5200 otd.....free set of chains also![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Juke~

Congrats! I hope your new quad serves you well and gives you tons of enjoyment!

SilverBear

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
After many months of looking and riding many quads, the one that ended being the best choice for me was the 2002 Arctic Cat 500i with IRS. With the 589 M/T's, I'm getting 13&quot; of GC, 10&quot; of Travel, and this quad has a very wide stance. See my website at www.mindspring.com/~chrisandlisa/AC500i and see my review in the Arctic Cat Forum (I honestly did an unbiased review).

It really comes down to the individual needs, and to classify the best all around utility quad is really not an easy task. I almost bought the 700, 660 or 650. But I made myself wait for the 500i's to come out, and make sure I wasn't just jumping the gun. After riding most others, I can honestly say, I thought the 500i rode the best, which was one of my most important needs. But that just my opinion and my needs, and others will disagree (even without having ridden the 500i).

But the best all around utility quad is the one that best suites YOUR needs, within YOUR budget, for what YOU plan on using it for.

 

RidesforFun~

I read your review on the Arctic Cat forum, and quite honestly, it is nothing less than I expected from AC's new 500I. I had my heart set on that machine as soon as I seen the 2002 literature this summer, and planned on purchasing it. Alas, being impatient, not liking the AC dealer I'd have to buy it from, and looking at other quads, I decided to give Yamaha a try. I must say, even though I've been an Arctic Cat fan, and still am, I am really impressed with the 660 Grizz, so I ended up buying one of those.

I'm not sorry that I purchased the Grizz, now that I can actually see the 500I through your pics and your review, and would likely do it over again the same way. Still, I would not hesitate to get a 500I nor hesitate to recommend one. Acrtic Cat builds a very solid machine, and that suspension is simply awesome! I hope you enjoy your new ride, please keep us posted with your experiences with that incredible quad!

SilverBear