Hey, I got a Grizzly too...I know. I just have to defend the heavyweights too, I had one before and liked it. Just wanted more pow'r. K...Dude!

 

My AC was a 99. I sold it a month or so after I got the Grizzly. I like the Grizzly better overall for a lot of reasons, but the AC 500 was a good quad for me. Had it for 3 years and about 2000 miles. The Grizzly steers 5000 times better, but those older AC's steered a lot worse than the Arctic Cats they make now. I like the Yamaha handlebar bend better too. The AC was more stable, but then again its probably the most stable quad I've ever ridden. Even with the lift kit. AC had a ton of torque, and I prefered its manual shift over the auto. And it was a tank. Strong steel bumpers and racks, real heavy like. I never had any problem with either of them. The Grizzly has IRS, a locker, and is a lot faster, and thats what I was wanting when I bought it. The Arctic Cat to me when I bought it was like buying a better designed Honda. Not as good of build quality as honda (plastic interlock and small picky fit and finish stuff), but better features like the heavy steel floorboards and long travel suspension, and semi-independant swingaxle.

I like the Grizzly best easily. I liked the AC when I had it though, and both my Uncle and my Brother in Law bought AC's after they rode mine. They are pretty solid. The newer ones are probably a lot better than my 99 was too.