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Posted by: Kodiac400
Another ATV you might want to consider would be the Vinson Manual. It is a 500cc 5 speed. Seeing that you only want 500 manual your options are pretty limited. The Vinson is getting great reviews so far.
Good luck.
Posted by: Kodiac400
When it comes to plowing it has more that enough power. Auto's rule for plowing. Your always in the right gear. The only complaint I have is the front suspension. I have to set it up to the hardest setting so that the nose is not so low. But I guess that pretty minor. Another thing that really helps is that my front tires are studded.
Is there a reason why you are staying away from auto's?
Posted by: Kodiac400
I'm not telling you what to do but I would definitely try an auto before making you decision. I've driven different makes and models of auto's and think there great. The only one that I really didn't like was the 400i cat. The engine made alot of noise. The polaris, yamaha and suzuki worked great. If I was to buy a new atv tommorrow I'd go with the 450 yamaha. Test drive a few atv's and let us know what your thoughts were.
Oh....Bye the way welcome to ATV Connection.
Posted by: Kodiac400
Hey chunky my stortage box is something that I order directly from Yamaha. I just checked the site and they no longer have the box or the part #. My suggestion to you would be to contact your dealer and see if he has a Canadian Parts book. The box goes for around 430 bucks canadian.
Posted by: JohnO
FWIW: I've had an Arctic Cat 500i manual tranny on my farm for about a year - 500+ miles, dragged some heavy trees, hauled a lot of firewood, pulled a mower, and it has yet to even backfire, let alone anything more serious. Very trouble free, and a real workhorse. I can load the racks down, and the suspension doesn't sag much - I've yet to bottom this machine out, and my farm is rough as a cob. Plus, it rides very smooth, and crawls over just about anything. One of the handiest implements I've ever bought for the farm, and a lot more fun than a tractor. I looked at the Vinson, as it also has the manual tranny - sharp looking machine, but it was more sport than work oriented, didn't have the IRS and ground clearance I wanted.
Get the 500 if you can - the engine has bags of low end grunt. Feels a lot like a Harley, pulls good at pretty much any engine speed.
One thing to be careful of: stick with a dealer that sells quads/bikes as their main business. Cat will give a dealership to just about any power equipment dealer, and service after the sale may not be so good at Joe's Chain Saw World. The bike/quad dealerships will give you a much better price - the smaller Cat dealers were list price only, while a local Suzuki/Cat dealer pushed my 500i out the door for $5800.
Posted by: twitchell
Go for the vinson! You will love it.
Posted by: Coyotechaser
609fish, go to www.atvtraderonline.com and do a Cat search. There are a couple for around $4900. $5000. 400 4x4's. It 'll give you an idea what some places are selling for.
Posted by: chunky
kodiak 400, i was just wondering where you got that storage box from.do the manufacturers have a website thanks.
chunk.
Posted by: chunky
thnks k400 i will c my dealer.
Posted by: trevor1234
Hello all
As I am finding out there is much to consider when buying a new ATV. I am looking for a 500 4x4 not-automatic. Used for plowing and hunting and whatever. I want a "machine" not just a 4 wheeler. I have looked at the Artic Cat specs and it looks good. Mind you so do alot of the other 500's. Does anyone have any 2002/2003 500 models that can give me any insite?
Thanks
Trev
Posted by: trevor1234
Hey thanks for the info. The more I price them the more I am also considering the 400 series as well. Great set of pictures you have too. How do you find your 4 wheeler for plowing?
Thanks
Trev
Posted by: trevor1234
Well for the extra price I can just about put on my plow. I have driven many before and I don't mind the manual drives. But then again I have not yet driven an auto!!!! I am sure if I drove one I would be sold for sure. The machine have changed so much in the past 5/6 years its hard to keep up.
Trev
Posted by: trevor1234
It doesn't look to bad at all. It is relatively cheep, and the spec's look not too bad as well. Ahh decision desicions, if only I won the lottery haha well that wouldn't make things that much easier really. Thanks for all of your input, I will certainly let you know what I am going to get and also when I do, I will let you all know what I think.
Thanks
Trev
Posted by: trevor1234
There seems to be an endless loop of great 4 wheelers out there. I am sure whichever one i decide on will be great. The problem is getting one that has issues. I don't care if it is the fastest ( or I would have bought a sport machine ) I don't care if it can haul %10 more than others ( if it hauls my lard a$$ around thats great ) I just don't want the thing to be in the shop more than in the bush. The Vinson does looks great too and I am considering it as well. Thanks for your post
Thanks trev
Posted by: trevor1234
Great,
Thanks for all the info. The AC 500 is looking pretty good to me right now. And yes I will go to a AC dealership and the JOE chainsaw place here and see what the difference in price is. Did it come with a Winch? Did you get the MRP system? That MRP seems pretty good for future add on's.
Thanks for the info
Posted by: trevor1234
If I were getting something for JUST around the house I would get an Electric Wheelchair. I need it to plow, I also do alot of Hunting, Fishing , and Camping so I will be on the trails quite a bit. Now you say cheap? Whats the price on a 2003 or 2004 Kodiak 350? Canadian? And what options does that come with? There are so many good packages right now withh all different makes and models its hard to keep up. Does it come with a winch?
Thanks for your input
Posted by: trevor1234
Thanks 609fish
I have a few prices back already. I can get the 2003 500 MRP auto for $8600.00 CANADIAN with 2500 lb winch installed. I should be able to get it for a bit cheeper but so far they have all been about the same. I am going to wait till late summer when the 2004's come out and then start pricing the 2003 's again.
Thanks Fish
Trev
Posted by: trevor1234
What price Canadian did you get your 500 at?
Thanks
Posted by: JuJuBean
ok i just joined this chat now and so far if u are goining for a atv you are just going to use around the house then a semiautomatic 4-wheeler would probably be the best. i have a kodiak 350 auto though n its great, i use it for trails and work. Then theres my Predator 500. If you are getting a 500 go with a predator but if u are just getting one to work with the kodiak is great and pretty cheap.
Posted by: 609fish
Trev. I'm a research nut and my needs are similar to yours. one factor you did'nt mention is comfort factor,, throw that in and the cat wins..I,m already sold on it and am now trying to get a idea of what to pay for it.. I like hearing from folks like John0 from Ky who said he got his 500 for 5800..I'm looking at the 400i 4x4 dealer list it at 5650..let me know what can of prices you're getting when you from looker to buyer..thanks, happy trails..and plowin..
Posted by: skidder
Greetings
I'd go for the 500 Vinson. Everyone I know who has one loves it and I have never heard of any problems with any of them. Best of all the price is right.
