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Posted by: Andy Bassham
What he said. The difference in price between the two doesn't justify the drop off in power. Plus, the racks on the 500 are a little sturdier, or at least the 2000 and older models were. Now if you can find a real good deal on a 400, it would be a good idea. If the difference is $500 or less, I would wait a bit and get the 500. Better to wait than to regret later. Thats just my opinion. It actually took me over a year to decide what I actually wanted. Let me tell you, the process can sometimes be sickening.
Posted by: BONER
If you want a 400 model you might as well get a 500 model cause for a 400 model it is underpowered(it's only a 371cc motor). The 500 on the other is one of, if not, the most powerfull bike in it's class.
Posted by: BONER
Well here is a quote from the Summer 2000 issue of ATV Magazine:
[b]""....we've always looked at the 400 as a compromise. It doesn't have nearly as much powr as the big 500's. Nor does it carry a rider as comfortably as the independently-suspended Arctic Cat 300.
So how would it compare to these (all 400 utility class ATV's)? Out experience on the AC 400 would lead us to believe it;s the least powerful in the class, if we're talking about pure engine power."[/b]"
They go on to say these good things about the AC 400:
[b]"To the Cat's advantage, however, is its excellent suspension (same as the AC 500) which realy does help the machine act more powerfully because the tires stay on the ground giving traction. And it has a low range for working grunt." [/b]
Posted by: BONER
No they didn't have the 400 FOR THAT TEST, but they have tested them in the past. The reason they didn't have the Arctic Cat's for that test was cause of the massive sales and lack of dealers.
Posted by: BONER
I bet you didn't know that you could lock the front end of a 300 with only a 5 min adjustment. You would lose 2wd, but you don't have 2wd on the 400 either so it realy would not matter. By lossening a bolt moving a lever and tightening the bolt back up you will have 4wd limited slip/ 4wd locker on the 300.
So, which has a better front differential now?
Posted by: jarvis
Well I have a 00 400 4x4 with a warn winch and I've had a great time on mine. Of course I too would love to have more power with mine or even the 01 500 manual cat if I could slide it past the wife. But I have 4 buddies here that have cats 3 500's and 1 just bought a 01 400 2 weeks ago and when we are all out playing I can go wherever they can go. Matter of fact I can go through more then 2 of the 500's due to tires. I use mine for hunting and trapping so I've loaded my racks down and haven't had any problems there. 400 01 4x4 are $4999 here compared to $6500 for the 500. A year ago when I bought mine that was a big factor for me although I still dream about a 500 every now and then, but as long as my 400 keeps me in the great outdoors I can't complain. So whatever you get......enjoy!!!!!
Darryl
00 400 4x4 cat
Posted by: jett
Could anybody with a 400 4x4 give me your opinion on this machine. Looking to trade up from a 2000 300 cat 4x4. Need a few more ponies under the seat.
Posted by: jett
If I recall the article, it mentioned that they did not have the 400 on hand to compare it to the other 400's. The next edition of ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE magazine is going to feature a article on the 400 cat. This magazine is a canadian publication and a excellent one at that. They never have a problem getting any atv to do a ride evaluation on, they had the new raptor ride report, long before any US publication had a chance to.
Posted by: ATV_MAN
I think my dad and I are headed towards an AC 400 4x4, we are starting to look because the little Honda we got keeps breaking.
jkb- How much did you get your 400 4x4 for if you don't mind telling me. and what year is it?
Posted by: ATV_MAN
Ohh great, so now what??...I'm about to buy a low powered Arctic-cat?? Is that what you people are trying to say??...LOL
Posted by: JKB
I have a 400 that I bought in April and to date I am very pleased. It has lots of power, in fact I run with a Kawasaki 400 Prarie. The two bikes are almost identical, although the prarie seems to pull away from me in the midrange,the cat is with the prarie as we near top speed. both bikes run up to 50MPH with no problem. As far as bottom end goes with the cat in low range it has all kinds of torque. I disagree with the statement that it is underpowered. I will be honest though and say I have not yet driven a 500 cat. I am sure it will be the same as using a new 700MHZ P3 after using my 433, the increase will be noticed and it will be hard to go back. For me the decision was based on value. The differance in cost in CDN dollars was $1000.00 which is about $675.00 US. The only thing you get is about 120CC, other than that they are identical. I fell the need to defend the 400. It is about the same price as a Honda 350, Yamaha 400 BB and the 300 Prarie. When compared to these machines of very similar price by features, it was an easy decision for me. Well, thats enough said, thats my 2 cents worth
Cheers Jim
Posted by: JKB
ATV MAN,
I paid $6700.00 CDN for the bike it is a 2000 model bought in April. The US price would be around $4400.00.
Cheers Jim
Posted by: JKB
Hey Boner, if you recall another ATV magazine trashed the AC500 Auto as well. We both know Arctic Cat makes a good machine but most of the people in this forum own 500's. So I think that your opinion may be based on your choice of machine. I almost bought the 300 knowing that it had less power than the 400, but it has better supension, the only reason I didn't is the front differential is a conventional clutched limited slip. The 400 and 500 use cam followers and provide a little better traction.
Cheers Jim
Posted by: JKB
I was aware of the ability to lock the 300, but was led to believe that you would end up with only two positions available 4wd/4wdlock. The other thing the dealer told me was that due to the independant supension in some situations you actually lose ground clearance. The AC rep also told me that the top speed was 38 MPH. This was not going to be fast enough for travelling on dirt roads for me, come to think of it, he basically talked me out of the 300. My dealer was also out of 300,s and offered me the 400 for $500 CDN more. I had already been waiting for two weeks and could wait no more. Anyway, as I said earlier, the 400 is good value for my money. My only complaint is the lack of after market stuff. I was told this ahead of time but didn't listen. Maybe I should have bought a Honda, not.
Cheers Jim
Posted by: DaleCat400
I bought a '01 400 4x4 about 2 months ago, so far it has done everything I have asked it to. I paid $4750 and got the $69 Warn winch deal. I also got the Cycle Country Vee blade for it, no snow yet, but I have used it to push rock and dirt around, I have also used it to drag my full-size Bronco around the yard to work on it. It was woking to get the Bronco moving, but it seems to run out of traction before it runs out of power. The main reason I went with the 400 was that no other brand could touch the price in that class, an excellent dealer, and I have always has good luck with Cat snowmobiles, and hope this 400 will be as good.
Dale
'01 AC400 4x4
'99 AC ZL500efi
