Wildcat

[2scoops]

I am shopping for a second UTV. I am looking at the Wildcat. What do you guys think?

I like the wheelbase, suspension, & cockpit room. RZR's are a little tight for me.

[BuggieDude]

Depends...how much do you like keeping all 4 wheels on the ground???? lol I here they like to lay over so you can rub their belly.

[rocmoc]

I watched a comparison of the Wildcat to the top model of the RZR on the Outdoors Channel. The Wildcat was tops in every area except power. The new hot rod RZR is the FASTEST! Can't go wrong with either.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[Banjo Minnow]

Look at the new canam maverick. 101 hp, longer wheelbase than xp. 15 inches of travel. I am thinking about getting one but my dealer won't have them until feb. rumor is popo will release a new machine New Year's Eve. I will wait to see what they have. My dad just got back from Moab on Sunday and he took his new rzr xp4. He loved the way the xp4 ran over the terrain and the power it had.

[2scoops]

I'll bet the maverick is at least 18k when they release it. No thanks. I am looking at a used wildcat for under 13k.

I considered the xp 4, but I would have to sell the trooper to afford one of those. They also can't carry 5 people.

My goal is to own 2 sxs's so I can go out and always have a second vehicle just in case.

Reading on different websites I haven't found a sxs that has 100% reliability.

Add in how hard I like to drive...

Plus, then both my wife & I don't fight over who gets to drive.

[charlie]

Under 13 for a wildcat I say go for it

[Banjo Minnow]

Actually the base maverick is set at $15,999 same as xp. Now if you are are talking 4 seaters then you are probably right. The xp4 can be converted to seat upto 6 with the bench seat conversion. Under 13k for a wildcat sounds a little fishy to me. It would make me think lemon or has been wrecked and rebuilt. I have heard the wildcat is under powered compared to the other machines in its class. But if it looks like the real deal, for 13k you could easily later afford a clutch kit and then a turbo. Good luck.

[BuggieDude]

Reading on different websites I haven't found a sxs that has 100% reliability.

LOL Good luck with that search....the day they build a 100% SXS is the day we no longer need spare parts.....

[Guest Lenny]

If I were to guess on the most likely reliable unit, I would choose the Toyota diesel UTV.

Lenny

[2scoops]

Actually the base maverick is set at $15,999 same as xp. Now if you are are talking 4 seaters then you are probably right. The xp4 can be converted to seat upto 6 with the bench seat conversion. Under 13k for a wildcat sounds a little fishy to me. It would make me think lemon or has been wrecked and rebuilt. I have heard the wildcat is under powered compared to the other machines in its class. But if it looks like the real deal, for 13k you could easily later afford a clutch kit and then a turbo. Good luck.

16k isn't as bad as I guessed. I couldn't find any prices on it when I searched. The Wildcat I am looking at is a dealer trade-in. Warranty is good through 2014.

Yes the only knock I have seen on it is underpowered compared to xp. But I don't do the dunes and it isn't night & day power difference. Also, I am one of the few that like the wet clutch design. It allows for more finess in the rocks & saves the drivetrain.. The videos of xp's I have seen crawling make look too jerky in low gear with the power it has. Either way it should move much faster than the trooper.

[BuggieDude]

Also, I am one of the few that like the wet clutch design. It allows for more finess in the rocks & saves the drivetrain..

Wet Clutch??? Who is using a wet clutch...they are ALL CV these days??? except us that is....

[2scoops]

Actually the base maverick is set at $15,999 same as xp. Now if you are are talking 4 seaters then you are probably right. The xp4 can be converted to seat upto 6 with the bench seat conversion.

Have you seen the bench seats? I wil admit, you can fit 3 kids in them, but there is no way you are fitting 3 adults.

My 9 year old is outgrowing the rear bench in the trooper. That is what made me start considering my options.

I hated the feeling of being out with the family and thinking how I would get back if something broke. I'd feel that in an xp 4 just the same because I am going to push it to its limits.

So are you ditching the trooper for a Can't Am? I actually do like the Maverick.

[Banjo Minnow]

haha, My wife won't let me sell the Trooper because we have too much into it, so she will keep the Trooper and I would get the new Machine. I am actually really impressed with my dads xp4. Lots of power and we have never had any issues with it. I don't like the $19,300 price tag plus all the extras you need like winch, windshield and bumpers.

I have seen the bench seats. It probably wouldn't be comfy bouncing around with 3 adults in one seat but 2 with a smaller kid in the middle should be fine.

I am thinking maverick because Can-am is one of the more quality machines out there. My dealer sells Kawi, popo, honda, and Can-am and he says the can-am's have the least issues. The only thing holding me back from committing is the visco-lok. If it isn't the QE version, i wouldn't buy it. No one seems to know yet which visco-lok it has. Since my dealer won't have any Mavericks until Feb. I am going to wait and see what popo has up its sleeve to one up the Maverick.

The good thing is that there are more options than before and the machines do seem to be higher quality than pre 2008 machines. No matter what you buy, I am sure it will be fun. I did hear with a clutch kit in the wildcat that they are keeping up (or at least more so) with the XP, but I am thinking at 101 HP the maverick will smoke both.

[2scoops]

Yeah, everyone likes what they have. That is why I asked the down to earth Joyner crowd--for an honest response.

The Can Am's definately have a build quality about them you can feel. That is why they usually want a pretty penny for them. My only knock on them, having only sat in a few, was the upright seating position (felt more utility than race), they feel really large, and the short wheelbase (the Maverick has addressed that). Oh, one more, the rear swing arm is tiny(once again the Maverick has addressed that).

Honestly RZR's don't impress me on quality but they do have a good track record for engines & drivetrain. Also, I am disapointed that even though they widened the track width of the XP they didn't increase the seating area. It is exactly the same as the RZR 4's & S'. Last, I hate how I feel like my shoulders hang out of the RZR's. I feel exposed.

What I liked about the Wildcat after sitting in it was the race car like seating (low & long). It also felt smaller than it is. Also the doors are nice and the rollcage extends well past my shoulder giving me a sense of security. Legroom is also better than the RZR's.

Without a doubt the Can Am Maverick will be the king of the hill in stock form. Don't be suprised if we see some of the reliability of the Can Am's go down as they push the envelope.

[2scoops]

Picking up my Wildcat tomorrow. 180 miles full cab enclosure--$13k. I just hope it is as reliable as my T2 (not kidding).

[rocmoc]

Picking up my Wildcat tomorrow. 180 miles full cab enclosure--$13k. I just hope it is as reliable as my T2 (not kidding).

Coool! Must post pics!!!!!

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

[charlie]

2scoops that's Awsome good for u please tell atleast me or all of us about it!!!! I have been looking at them since they came out unfortunately I havnt seen one for less than 15k!

[2scoops]

Thanks guys & will do. I tell you what, I have been reading nothing but horror stories on the Wildcat forum...sound familiar? I have been researching issues and problems with them so I know what to look for. But, just like this forum not many people check in until they have problems. You think we have funky stuff go wrong...

I find for every 1 guy that has an issue there is like 5 guys saying it has never happened to them. I will tell you one thing. Joyner owners are a different breed. We really help each other on this forum. Over on the Wildcat forum it seems like there is just a bunch of bickering and guys measuring their c#cks. There are a few guys with good info, but not too many. They definately don't have a Lenny, Kinarfi, or Rocmoc.

I will let you know my honest impression once I get some seat time. And, if I ever have to tow it with my T2 I will definately be posting a picture here.

[Guest Lenny]

It will be interesting to see how the comparison goes. I'm not talking about power and suspension but the differance in breeds. More like one is good for this type of riding and the other excells in this type stuff, type stuff. The wildcat with the cv transmission should be better in the dunes.

Lenny

[Kinarfi]

This may be a big off subject, My son got an RZR 4 earlier this year and last week we were out running mostly flat smooth fast roads and he lost drive belt, he said he had just hit 55 mph when it went and blames it on too much sand dunes, but he usual has all 4 seats filled too.

[charlie]

hey Kinarfi Ive been looking at the rzr a lot and friends of mine have polaris quads wich are belt drive very similar set up I guess that can be kinda a common thing with them, specialy if your going in the water mud or big climbs with lots of wieght. Last time i went out my buddy was on his 4x4 polaris quad hammered the hell out of it all day then when we were just cruising home he lost the belt.

[Banjo Minnow]

I'm intrested in knowing what u think. I am headed to glamis in the morning and hoping to see a wildcat and XP side by side.

[2scoops]

Not sure I understand your question Banjo...it was either a sarcastic joke if you would see an XP or a Wildcat at Glamis...cause you can't throw a rock with out hitting one (I laughed at your joke) or you meant you want to litterally see an XP and a Wildcat sitting right next to each other or racing.

I will tell you my honest opinion. When sitting next to each other you will find it hard to take your eyes off the Wildcat. It is just so different--hate it or love it. I spent all morning at a Polaris, Arctic Cat, and Can Am dealer today. The RZR's are just another sheep in the heard looks wise. Don't get me wrong, I like em' but when I walked by about 10 RZR's and finally layed eyes on my Wildcat the wife got jealous. They look more refined both inside and out. Now that doesn't mean anything about reliability or performance. But from the Walker Evan adjustable shocks, exhaust, and seats the Cat looks like it should cost $20k.

Now in the dunes the XP will outclimb and out manuver the Wildcat. But add jumps and whoops the Wildcat catches right back up. Even the RZR guys at the dealerships I have talked to say that on a flat track the XP excells over the Wildcat, but as soon as you add turbulance the Wildcat makes its pass. I was at a Can Am dealer in St. George and they were pushing their Commander with long travel suspension on me, but when I asked which one was the funnest to drive they all looked at each other and said the Wildcat. Don't worry guys, I bragged about the ol' T2 while I was there. As a matter of fact the plan is for me to drive the T2 and let the wife drive the Wildcat. We'll see how long I can hold out.

[Guest Lenny]

Hey 2scoops, You mean St George, Ut? I live in Hurricane. I agree with your comment of the looks. When these things all started out looking like the Rino, I said just give it time and they will turn into all out Baja ready race looking buggies with 150 to 200 Hp, and 20" of suspension travel. Basicly, a buggy version of a 450 CRF motocrosser, race ready and super good suspension. I suspect another 3 or 4 more years and we will be there.

Lenny

[2scoops]

Yeah, St. George, UT. I stopped by at a powersports dealer while I was on my way to Las Vegas.

[2scoops]

I took the Wildcat out for my first ride today. I went to the Knolls. This thing is amazing over the whoops and lands jumps like its on a pillow. I haven't ever gotten enough air in the Trooper to worth mentioning. Today I jumped about 30 ft & it is quite addicting. In the slow rocky stuff I was missing my Trooper. My Trooper rides much smoother. I also missed the manual in the wide open stuff. But in the dunes I did not. I would have been grabbing gears alot to keep the wheels spinning. The power is really fun. It is smooth & there is no waiting for the motor to spin up to higher rpms like the Trooper. I can't wait to take them both out and switch out every so often to see where they excel, but I do think it is already obvious. On a flat to semi-rough track I think the Trooper could hold its own...throw in some whoops and jumps and the Wildcat would eat its lunch. I would describe the feel of the Wildcat more like a go cart and the Trooper more car-like.

[dedub]

I took the Wildcat out for my first ride today. I went to the Knolls. This thing is amazing over the whoops and lands jumps like its on a pillow. I haven't ever gotten enough air in the Trooper to worth mentioning. Today I jumped about 30 ft & it is quite addicting. In the slow rocky stuff I was missing my Trooper. My Trooper rides much smoother. I also missed the manual in the wide open stuff. But in the dunes I did not. I would have been grabbing gears alot to keep the wheels spinning. The power is really fun. It is smooth & there is no waiting for the motor to spin up to higher rpms like the Trooper. I can't wait to take them both out and switch out every so often to see where they excel, but I do think it is already obvious. On a flat to semi-rough track I think the Trooper could hold its own...throw in some whoops and jumps and the Wildcat would eat its lunch. I would describe the feel of the Wildcat more like a go cart and the Trooper more car-like.

what is the weight difference of two?

[charlie]

Awsome man glad u like it if. Ever buy another utv that's what I will get or 4 seater rzr so my son and wife can go

[2scoops]

The Wildcat is 1300lbs.

[dedub]

The Wildcat is 1300lbs.

theirs your hp differnce