Forum Discussion

mrkoje's avatar
mrkoje
Explorer
Apr 15, 2014

wildcat trail?

Anyone here have any experience with this new model? Wildcat Trail

I have been considering switching from ATV's to the side by side models. I've been thinking about the Polaris RZR for a long time and now Arctic Cat rolls out this new model with impressive specs and at a great price point to boot.

I pretty much had my mind made up on the RZR before this came out. Now I'm thinking I could almost pick up two of these for the price of one of the newest Polaris models.

Thoughts?
Toy Haulers
  • Y-Guy's avatar
    Y-Guy
    Moderator
    Apr 15, 2014
    Interesting, competition is a good thing. Polaris makes a nice rig but they need the competition to get their prices realistic IMHO. I'm of the mind set to wait until they update it, so they find the mistakes and problems, basically let the first adopters be the guinea pigs.
  • mrkoje's avatar
    mrkoje
    Explorer
    Apr 15, 2014
    I'm thinking that too with the bugs. Apparently there is an issue with some oil lines coming loose and spraying oil every where. Sure is tempting to pick one of these up though.
  • coolbreeze01's avatar
    coolbreeze01
    Explorer
    Apr 15, 2014
    Currently we don't have an AC dealer in town, wish we did. Bought a 2013 RZR 800 last July, and when the 2015's come out, I plan to buy another brand. The SxS is a blast, just not happy with Polaris.
  • Eyetattoo's avatar
    Eyetattoo
    Explorer
    Apr 15, 2014
    coolbreeze01 wrote:
    Currently we don't have an AC dealer in town, wish we did. Bought a 2013 RZR 800 last July, and when the 2015's come out, I plan to buy another brand. The SxS is a blast, just not happy with Polaris.
    What have you been unhappy with regarding the RZR? I ask because I am considering getting one in the next year or so.
  • Oma_and_Opa_TH's avatar
    Oma_and_Opa_TH
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2014
    We purchased a Wildcat Trail a month ago. We have only been able to take it out on the trails one time so far but seems like a lot of fun. My only complaint would be the lack of fenders - you get VERY muddy even if there is only minimal mud on the trails. Hopefully fenders will be an accessory offered soon.I think the standard equipment and engine size make it a nice alternative to the RZR.
  • ksss's avatar
    ksss
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2014
    I don't know anyone that has one yet, but the AC Trail looks good. I have a RZR and while it has not treated me bad, I am not a Polaris fan either. I will keep the RZR until the day that Honda comes to play in this market. As to the pricing, the AC Trail is not priced much different than a RZR at least here. I am relatively ok with the initial price of the RZR. What sucks is all the money you have to spend after you own it. TIRES: The 25"s are pathetic, no ground clearance (this is a reoccurring theme as you will see. Lift Kit: Again due to no ground clearance a 2" lift kit (Razer Tech is the considered the best). After all this you need to buy a full length skid plate for the underside of the machine. Also don't forget that the windshield, canopy, horn, mirror, etc. So for me I paid like 11K in 2011, but I have probably dropped another 4K into it (to be fair 75% of that amount I feel I needed to buy to make the machine trail worthy, the other 25% I just wanted. I looked closely at the AC and it is the same way. Small tires, you will likely need a lift kit on this machine as well. You also have to buy all the other things I listed. I am not a fan of belt drive transmission. I look forward to Honda entering the market to up the quality of the segment.
  • cbigham's avatar
    cbigham
    Explorer III
    Apr 22, 2014
    Interesting. Competition is good. I have the original 800 rzr. Has 6000k. Never upgraded because of the 50" size necessity. No reliability issues at all, mine was bought in 2007.

    Ac looks good tho. C how it does.
  • _plit's avatar
    _plit
    Explorer
    Apr 22, 2014
    $plit wrote:
    i would say this is subjective. As a duner, a desert driver and a trail guy i was one of the first to own the AC Prowler 1000. Many of my co-horts down here in the SW decided we wanted the power of the AC over the rzr at the time (only 800). So we bought them and put lots of money into them (roughly 12k for me)..heck one of my friends flew a clutch guy (adam - aka Airdam) out to phx from the south to help design and build a dry clutch for these rigs. Him and i both bought and tested them...beautiful working equipment..for a short time... :)

    I believe all the manufacturers have lemons of one sort or another so you will always have detractors. They don't know how much abuse we can put these through..so after being a first gen buyer and realizing that there were major shortcomings in the design i wont buy another first gen anything any longer (true with any motor vehicle tho) no matter how excited i get over a product..

    I am really liking the new rzr xp 4 1000 but again, i am waiting for the bugs to be worked out of this first gen model before investing.

    that being said..buy what floats your boat, but make sure you are buying what will suit your driving style and where you want to be in 3-4 years. Tires and more specifically shocks are the best investment you can make in these SxS's...And as always, buy from a dealer who reps their sales well..lots of forums to find out who are decent dealers and who fight you all the way to the manufacturers..

    i agree with ksss as far as setting up your ride, you will definately spend money after your purchase...however, i really doubt that honda will ever enter the sport segment, much like suzuki, they want to stay away from sue happy people who can't take responsibilty for their own poor actions..good luck with your purchase!

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