Arctic Cat or Used ATV

My wife in the market to get her a newer ATV. I have a Polaris and she loves it. She is looking at a Arctic Cat 09′, 500, Camo. Or a used one, we have found a lot out their for about $5000. that includes Can AM, Polaris, Yamaha only a couple of years old and in great shape.
Has any body have or heard any problems with the Arctic Cats?
Should I go used.

Again this is her idea.

I have a Polaris, my brother has an Arctic Cat…. we both abuse them, both great machines.

big G

I have an 07 650 Acrtic Cat. The only problems I’ve had with it were driver inflicted. I am not easy on the machine and its been very good to me.

Pros = rides very smooth. Ground clearence is excellent. 2″ receiver hitch is convienient. Its no hot rod, but its got plenty of power. Speed rack options are sweet.

Cons = If you trail ride a lot, it doesnt exactly corner like its on rails. Its a bit heavy.

Used wouldnt scare me off, with what I’ve put mine through. But there are some great deals on non-current model years out there too. Nothin like that new ATV smell.

Good luck shopping!

My brother has a cat 500, its had a lot of issues. He is easy on that thing too, rides it like an old lady. IMO stay away from cat. -Mark

I 2nd the steer clear of Artic Cat I had a 06′ 750 that was the biggest hunk of crap ever buit. A 16′ ice castle will drop the indpendent rear to the ground. And they are huge its like taking a semi down the trails. I think if you in the 500 market and are looking for something that will take serious abuse look at the Honda foreman. They dont trail ride too well due to the solid rear axel and you have to shift but they last forever. And can haul a 16′ Ice Castle no problem. I think Artic Cat sleds are some of the best on the trails but they went way way wrong with the ATV/UTV.

I have a Polaris and love it as well, but I have friends with AC’s that love them. Yeah, as mentioned, they have their limitations. But you say this is for your wife? Chances are she won’t be the one doing the pulling, dragging, winching, etc anyways will she? If you take care of the standard maintenance an AC for her will probably be OK.

I have an 06 AC500. Been solid and its my wife’s daily driver now but If I was in the market I would be looking at Grizzly’s.

I am looking at a new ATV as well and it most likely will be a Cat. I have owned 1 and my brother has 2. I have never had any issues with mine and the same with his. I would say the fenders are not wide enough on the 2005 or older but if you are going newer then this I believe they fixed that.

I will be buying a new none current. These machines can get a lot of abuse and when it comes to toys I always buy new. You might think it looks great but you can make a beat up machine look great with a little bit of work. I am not sure where you are at but there are some smoking deals out there on new non-current right now! I just had seen a new 2008 500 for $4800. I am looking for a 2 up TRV otherwise I would have bought it!

No matter what you buy you will be a hero because it is for your wife right?

I was looking at a couple different Cat ATVs, and when I talked to the local independent ATV mechanic that I would use, he said he wouldn’t work on AC because they were a pain to fix and it was hard to get parts. I talked to another place and they said the same thing.

I bought a polaris.

Still no ATV for my wife yet. She decided to wait til next year. I made the mistake of saying “I want a bigger house then the one we are in”.
Well that solved that. NO ATV. YES NEW OR NEWER HOUSE.
So problem solved. We will start to look this spring.

I you haven’t ridden the new Polaris 550 and the Yamaha you need to. Both machines are awesome!!!

Newer house here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!