Artic Cat 4x4

Lazy · Jan 4, 2004

Hi
I'm looking at a new Artic Cat 250 4x4 would anyone care to comment on the good bad and ugly of this brand? I have never owned an ATV so I Need all the help I can get before I make the purchase. the list price is $4,799

charlie

RanchMan · Jan 4, 2004

AC makes a great ATV. Quite frankly, I think they are the best kept secret in the industry. The price you mentioned is high though (depending on State, I've seen it advertised for as low as $4099 for the same buggy.)

If you're going to be doing some utility work, I'd recommend going up a couple of steps in engine size. Depending on the grades you'll be climbing or loads you're towing, those extra CC's are a big help.

I know that the 250 comes with a manual transmission (kindof funny shifter on those - heel/toe vs. standard motorcycle toe type shifters) but if you go up a couple of notches in engine size, you can get an automatic which is really nice and you can also get the MRP system, which is a REALLY slick deal. 'Course all that costs money, but it's worth considering as the utility of those features is pretty big.

AC's are built really strong but are kindof heavy for their size (another reason for a big engine). Personally I'd prefer strength over speed any day.

Don't let any of the guys who own other brands try to scare you off of AC. There are other good brands of ATV's out there, but bang for the buck, AC is hard to beat.

Here's a couple of links you might be good to check out...

Artic Cat Web Site

Place to compare prices

thcri · Jan 5, 2004

Lazy,

Can't say much about the Artic Cat machine. I live and bleed Polaris but that doesn't mean Artic Cat isn't any good. I am sure they are, just haven't been around any. Our group or crew is pretty much Polaris and Honda.

But it might help us some here if you would tell us what your plans are for your wheeler.

For trail riding the 250 might be a tad bit small.
For work the 250 would be a tad bit small.
For just riding around the house, letting the kids drive it and wife it would be ok. But then if it is around the house then skip the 4 wheel drive.

Would I go used to get a larger machine, absolutely not unless you knew who had the machine before and how well he took care of it.

I can't help you on the price, but I do think it is high, but I personally think it is a tad bit small?

That is just my opinion based on experience.

murph

TOMLESCOEQUIP · Jan 5, 2004

I aquired a 2004 arctic cat "400" 4x4 on a forklift sale to the local arctic cat dealer. I can't give you too much of a review as I've only got 10 miles on the machine so far. They are running a special right now that gives you a free 2 year extended warranty. As I took this on trade against one of my fork trucks, I can only tell you that I had to pay sales tax and title fees on a $5750.00 figure when we worked out our deal..............The price on the 250 seems a bit high tho...........Tom

thcri · Jan 6, 2004

You can get a Polaris 500HO with independent suspension and full 4 wheel drive for around $5700.00 Brand new. The Sportsmen 500HO is a pretty nice machine.

murph

Lazy · Jan 6, 2004

This will be for the wife we have about 50 acres with some steep hills. we are now thinking about going to the 400 so we can get the automatic. She thinks she would like the automatic better. We have also looked at the polaris. I didn't see that much difference in the price for the same size machine, we have only looked at 2 dealers. Her comment was I like the red one. would you want a full time 4 wheel drive? I would think it would be better if you only used 4 wheel drive when it was needed. I appreaciate the comments and help

charlie

TOMLESCOEQUIP · Jan 6, 2004

Charlie......My new arctic cat 400 is an automatic with selectable 2 or 4 wd. It has 4 wheel independent suspension (fully adjustable) and a built in receiver hitch on the rear. It's huge compared to the old 125 suzuki we had before..It's really stable...........my wife compares it to riding a golf cart or gator rather than a 4 wheeler..........She doesn't get the thrill of getting stuck like she's used to with the old one. I don't have alot of time on it yet but I like it...........Tom

thcri · Jan 7, 2004

Charlie,

What I meant by full 4 wheel drive is Polaris is one of few that actually lock all 4 wheels when in 4 wheel drive. You do have the option to click in and out of 4 wheel on the fly. I am not sure how Artic Cat does there's but some of them only run one of the front wheels when in 4 wheel??

Just pick the one you are most comfortable with. Artic Cat is a good company and will take good care of you.

murph

Will_C · Jan 7, 2004

I did some research before I bought the Honda Foreman, and thought about the locking front differential. The Honda I bought does not have it; it has what is referred to as "three wheel drive.' In my admittedly short time driving the machine, I have not found anywhere it won't go in 2wd. I can certainly imagine situations that a locking differential would be nice to have, but for what I imagine most of us would use an ATV for, it would not be necessary. I would not let it stop you from buying the machineyou like the most.
There sure is a bewildering array of choices out there. Take you time and look them all over. Good luck,
Will

thcri · Jan 7, 2004

Will,

Here is a place where the Honda's just don't quite make it. Now I am not bashing the Honda's as I think they are more reliable than the others out there, but where we go they are the first to get stuck.

Up North

Click on wheelin and you will all kinds of dates and just getting stuck. Even a couple of mpeg movies.

Under "Wheelin" Check out the date June 03

murph

soarkrebel · Jan 9, 2004

( Here is a place where the Honda's just don't quite make it. Now I am not bashing the Honda's as I think they are more reliable than the others out there, but where we go they are the first to get stuck. )

Now thats funny! So after a honda pulled you out how long did it take your belt to dry? /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

My honda will go any place and MORE than a polaris!

I would love to be given a artic cat just so i could trade it for a honda!

Honda IS the best on earth!

thcri · Jan 9, 2004

( ( Here is a place where the Honda's just don't quite make it. Now I am not bashing the Honda's as I think they are more reliable than the others out there, but where we go they are the first to get stuck. )

Now thats funny! So after a honda pulled you out how long did it take your belt to dry? /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
)

Your real funny. In all the years I have had a Polaris I have never had a wet belt. Look at our web page www.upnorthadventure.com and you can see where we go. None of us ever have had a wet belt to stop us from moving. Oh yes, very seldom do I have to have a honda pull me out. And for every story you have bad about Polaris I have one about Honda. So don't go there. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out 4 wheels diggin is better than 3 wheels diggin and if you think any thing different then you go ahead and just think that!!!!

The second Honda Rubicon that went through that same creek flooded itself out. But all the Polaris's kept going with no wet belts.

murph

thcri · Jan 9, 2004

second pic same creek another polaris

soarkrebel · Jan 9, 2004

Well down here in arkansas i have seen lots of polaris's with belt problems and heck lots of problems all togather.
One of my best friends polaris 700 for two years in row has broken during the first week of deer season for no apperent reason. this year it cost him like $300 to have it fixed.
another member in my hunting club had(note "had") 5 polaris's . he saw the light and bought hondas for reliability and less cost per mile of ride!
now i will admit they ride smooth and are quick in the get but to say they will go where honda's won't is a lie!

I have rode with to many polaris's and know what is true. ALL atv's get stuck period!
they all have certain things about them that are good. but for the best it's honda.

some good websites to visit .

highlifter

atvnation

soarkrebel · Jan 9, 2004

Oh by the way thcri your pictures of your rides are great . to bad we live so far apart we could see who got stuck first. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

thcri · Jan 9, 2004

soakr,

This has turned into nothing but another Ford versus Chevy post. I have been to them web pages before and am a member of the ATVnation. Like I said, I have friends with Honda's and for every story you have so do I. I actually have a Polaris 700 with over 1400 miles on it trail riding only and it has not seen the shop yet other than the water pump issue which is a recall.

Tell you what, you buy what you want and let me buy what I want. I am sure there is owners of other brands out there that would like to say the same thing to you.

murph

ABE · Jan 9, 2004

The Artic Cat 400 is a very good all around work horse, I wish I would have gotten it over the Kawasaki 650 V-Twin. A lot depends on what dealers carry in the area,as for service,parts.etc.. Same as it is with tractors.

RanchMan · Jan 9, 2004

Seems like the new AC 650 would be a neat deal - it has the same v-twin engine as the Prairie but put on a AC designed chassis. 'Course that's a lot of money and you could still do a lot with a AC 400 or 500 and keep your wallet a bit thicker.

1bush2hog · Jan 14, 2004

Thanks for the link to the pics and congrats on not letting things turn into a ford/chevy debate. You Da Man!

I ride a Grizz 660 and love it. Also have had a 400 Foreman. Looked at the 700 Polaris before I bought the Grizz but ended up with a better deal on the grizz.

I like them all! One thing you can count on with any 4 wheeler is they will all get stuck eventually if you are an agressive rider. Heck that's half the fun of riding /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Kinda like "there is always someone somewhere bigger and better, etc."

Minnesota is home to Polaris too, right? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Grizzley's are assembled here in GA.

It always helps to find a good dealer to work with whether you are buying a 4 wheeler, or a tractor.

JDgreen227 · Jan 14, 2004

Artic Cat builds a fine ATV but I would recommend at least a 400cc engine with the automatic. The price you list for the 250 cc is rather high, for around $5000 you should be able to get a more powerful machine. I have ridden smaller ATV's and been disappointed with the power output, an underpowered ATV isn't as bad as an underpowered tractor but both are something to avoid.

Get the automatic, it's worth the extra money and will help resale value. Not going to tout any certain brand but I do love my Honda Foreman S.