Well I slept horrible last night trying to decide. In the end my wife was just too unsettled buying the used 4X. Alot of factors played into the decision but we think buying new will be the best not as many mods but peice of mind is worth more to me in the long run. This machine is really for her and the kids so she needs to be happy. Thanks for your replies.
Pre 15 wildcat X starter gear failure
Hey guys I really need some guidance. I am looking at a really nice 14 4X at a great price with some realy nice accessories. However after more research the starter gear issue has me worried. It seems in speaking to a few reputable folks that this is very common almost a....... not "if" but "when" situation. Warranty on used is 1500 for 3 yrs I would be buying this machine from MLS. I was going to wait on a new one but when this deal popped up I reconsidered. Really stuck should I buy new and slowly get my accessories with peace of mind in a new machine with the current updates or buy the used 4 X and save a little on accessories but always have that what if question in the back of my head. Help me make a wise decision guys. Also interest rates on new vs used are much better another factor to think about. It's alot of money and I want it to be right for my family to enjoy it. Thanks.
21 - 40 of 69 Posts
Never second guess your wife when it comes to this type of decision. It falls under one of those "you can't win" type of deals. Most of the time mine is right in any case. Let us see your new 4X when you get it.
l CAN TALK NOW SINCE YOU ARE BUYING A NEW ONE. WELL l HAVE TO SAY, l DON'T WANT TO WISH ANY BAD LUCK ON YOUR NEW 4 SEATER BUT WORRY OVER A STARTER FROM A MACHINE THAN START ON THE FIRST TURN IS THE LESS OF YOUR PROBLEMS. l KNOW THESE WILDCAT INSDE AND OUT. I HAVE OWNED 5 OF THEM IN THE LAST 5 YEARS AND MODIFIED AND UPGRADED EVERYONE. A 4 SEATER WILDCAT WEIGHS A LOT MORE THAN A 2 SEATER PLUS ADDING A EXTRA PERSON OR 2. ARCTIC CAT (TEXTRON) USED THE SAME CRAPPY TIERODS, REAR RADIUS RODS, REAR DRIVESHAFT AND BRAKE ROTORS BOTH 2 AND 4 SEATER. MOST PEOPLE ARE BREAKING AND BENDING THEM ON 2 SEATER AND THE 4 SEATER ARE WORSE. SO WHEN YOU ARE OUT IN THE WOODS BROKE DOWN BECAUSE OF THEM YOU MIGHT NEED A GOOD WINCH TO PULL YOU UP A STEEP HILL AND A FRONT OR REAR HITCH TO TOW IT OUT OF THE WOODS. AND 32" TIRES ARE A MUST HAVE SINCE THE 4 SEATER ARE LONGER THAN THE 2 SEATER TO GET OVER ROCKS. EVEN WITH MY CUSTOM TRAIL ARMOR SKID PLATE I'M STILL SLIDING THE BELLY ON THE ROCK AND THE FACTORY SKID PLATES ARE JUNK. MY CUSTOM SKID PLATE ALSO STICKS OUT 2" PASS MY ROCKER PANELS WHICH PROTEST THE SIDES FROM ROCKS AND TREE. BECAUSE WITH THE LENGH IT HARD TO GET ROUND TIGHT TRAILS WlTH OUT SLIDING AROUND THEM USING A ROCK PANEL PROTECTER. MINE HAS ALL OF THESE THING PLUS A WHOLE LOT MORE. YOUR GOING TO NEED A LOT OF UPGRADES....... l WISH YOU THE BEST WITH YOUR NEW 4 SEATER AND MANY FUN TRIP WITH IT. KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED :fingersx:
May I suggest attempting to break this into paragraphs?l CAN TALK NOW SINCE YOU ARE BUYING A NEW ONE. WELL l HAVE TO SAY, l DON'T WANT TO WISH ANY BAD LUCK ON YOUR NEW 4 SEATER BUT WORRY OVER A STARTER FROM A MACHINE THAN START ON THE FIRST TURN IS THE LESS OF YOUR PROBLEMS. l KNOW THESE WILDCAT INSDE AND OUT. I HAVE OWNED 5 OF THEM IN THE LAST 5 YEARS AND MODIFIED AND UPGRADED EVERYONE. A 4 SEATER WILDCAT WEIGHS A LOT MORE THAN A 2 SEATER PLUS ADDING A EXTRA PERSON OR 2. ARCTIC CAT (TEXTRON) USED THE SAME CRAPPY TIERODS, REAR RADIUS RODS, REAR DRIVESHAFT AND BRAKE ROTORS BOTH 2 AND 4 SEATER. MOST PEOPLE ARE BREAKING AND BENDING THEM ON 2 SEATER AND THE 4 SEATER ARE WORSE. SO WHEN YOU ARE OUT IN THE WOODS BROKE DOWN BECAUSE OF THEM YOU MIGHT NEED A GOOD WINCH TO PULL YOU UP A STEEP HILL AND A FRONT OR REAR HITCH TO TOW IT OUT OF THE WOODS. AND 32" TIRES ARE A MUST HAVE SINCE THE 4 SEATER ARE LONGER THAN THE 2 SEATER TO GET OVER ROCKS. EVEN WITH MY CUSTOM TRAIL ARMOR SKID PLATE I'M STILL SLIDING THE BELLY ON THE ROCK AND THE FACTORY SKID PLATES ARE JUNK. MY CUSTOM SKID PLATE ALSO STICKS OUT 2" PASS MY ROCKER PANELS WHICH PROTEST THE SIDES FROM ROCKS AND TREE. BECAUSE WITH THE LENGH IT HARD TO GET ROUND TIGHT TRAILS WlTH OUT SLIDING AROUND THEM USING A ROCK PANEL PROTECTER. MINE HAS ALL OF THESE THING PLUS A WHOLE LOT MORE. YOUR GOING TO NEED A LOT OF UPGRADES....... l WISH YOU THE BEST WITH YOUR NEW 4 SEATER AND MANY FUN TRIP WITH IT. KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED :fingersx:
I would also buy new,,, To me Breaking in new vehicles means a lot... And maintaining them also means a lot,,, Yes you can always get a lemon but that is what warranties are for and MLS seems to be a great company to deal with... Your wife is right get new and build it the way you want it and you have a warranty!!! You have to ask yourself how do you ride??? If you ride real hard and fast and do a lot of rocks and hammer it most of the time then you will most likely need what tenn has on his,,, But if you don't you should be ok... As for accessories you don't have to get all of them at one time... I am sure You know what the wildcat is all about in its strengths and weaknesses... Just get as much warranty as you can get so you can sleep at nights lol...
I could not agree more..... Which is why I had to ask myself why does it have all the high end stuff on it? Is it for show, for riding hard, for peace of mind and dependability? I don't know but I know there are alot of 4 seaters out there doing just fine without all the fancy stuff on it. I will need bigger tires for clearance and riding the rocks in wv, clutch work and skid plate. I trail ride with my kids I don't ride fast or hard at all. With financing and money down the math just did not add up on used. Financing used out of state is 6% more and I have very good credit and qualified for promo financing. My payments on his would be higher than buying new and thats with putting 4 grand down for warranty ect.. I can buy a lot of accessories for 4 grand and have a new machine. That is what it came down too. His is very nice but in the end new is better for us. Wish him well selling it.I would also buy new,,, To me Breaking in new vehicles means a lot... And maintaining them also means a lot,,, Yes you can always get a lemon but that is what warranties are for and MLS seems to be a great company to deal with... Your wife is right get new and build it the way you want it and you have a warranty!!! You have to ask yourself how do you ride??? If you ride real hard and fast and do a lot of rocks and hammer it most of the time then you will most likely need what tenn has on his,,, But if you don't you should be ok... As for accessories you don't have to get all of them at one time... I am sure You know what the wildcat is all about in its strengths and weaknesses... Just get as much warranty as you can get so you can sleep at nights lol...
...i think phatcat has gone through a lot of expirience in the last year- good and bad - haha- he knows now many things about those wildcats- he knows the weak points and how to take care....;- ()
...i like that he didnt freak out (like others) repairs the broken stuff and goes on....so he will do with the new one- way to go !! ;-)
...i like that he didnt freak out (like others) repairs the broken stuff and goes on....so he will do with the new one- way to go !! ;-)
Thank you Izom I am learning all the time sometimes you just need to sit back and look at the big picture. We ride alot....... Easily 1000 miles per year I should get more out of my investment with new with the mods that I need for my machine. And I have learned to trust my wife's intuition in the last 20 years.... Ha!...i think phatcat has gone through a lot of expirience in the last year- good and bad - haha- he knows now many things about those wildcats- he knows the weak points and how to take care....;- ()
...i like that he didnt freak out (like others) repairs the broken stuff and goes on....so he will do with the new one- way to go !! ;-)
^^^^ this!!!I would also buy new,,, To me Breaking in new vehicles means a lot... And maintaining them also means a lot,,, Yes you can always get a lemon but that is what warranties are for and MLS seems to be a great company to deal with... Your wife is right get new and build it the way you want it and you have a warranty!!! You have to ask yourself how do you ride??? If you ride real hard and fast and do a lot of rocks and hammer it most of the time then you will most likely need what tenn has on his,,, But if you don't you should be ok... As for accessories you don't have to get all of them at one time... I am sure You know what the wildcat is all about in its strengths and weaknesses... Just get as much warranty as you can get so you can sleep at nights lol...
Warranty is a must with these cars imho!
C-ya!
Also HAPPY WIFE HAPPY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah! Man my wife just was not 100% sold.....and she is a numbers girl lol. You could just see the anxiety she had melt away when we decided to go new. The math made the decision..... I really believe there is a point of no return in modding these machines.....Mod to enjoy it for your self but not so far that you loose your shirt. You still wont get your money back even at that....just enjoy it for yourself. That's the investment.....enjoyment and family memories. It will be one babied putty tat!Also HAPPY WIFE HAPPY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
l FOUND OUT TODAY ALL ABOUT THE STARTERS OLD AND NEW. MOST OF THE PROBLEMS ARE WHEN THE MOTOR BACK FIRES ON START UP WHICH IS CAUSED BY PEOPLE TRYING TO GET MORE HP OUT OF THE MOTOR OR A PROBLEM WITH THE MOTOR OR PUSHING THE GAS DOWN AND TRYING TO START IT UP. YOUR WILDCAT SHOULD START RIGHT UP WITH OUT PUSHING THE GAS.
ARCTIC CAT WAS GETTING THEIR STARTERS FROM I THINK INDONESIA AND THEY WERE NOT TURNING FAST ENOUGH. THE NEW STARTERS ARE COMING FROM CHINA AND THEY ARE A HIGH SPEED START THAT WlLL SPIN FAST ENOUGH THAT IT WILL NOT LET THE MOTOR KICK BACK ON START UP.
SO IF YOU ARE A WORRY WART AND HAVE TO FIX PROBLEMS BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS OR IF THE MOTOR IS HARD TO START YOU CAN GET A NEW HIGH SPEED STARTER FOR AROUND $200.
ARCTIC CAT WAS GETTING THEIR STARTERS FROM I THINK INDONESIA AND THEY WERE NOT TURNING FAST ENOUGH. THE NEW STARTERS ARE COMING FROM CHINA AND THEY ARE A HIGH SPEED START THAT WlLL SPIN FAST ENOUGH THAT IT WILL NOT LET THE MOTOR KICK BACK ON START UP.
SO IF YOU ARE A WORRY WART AND HAVE TO FIX PROBLEMS BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS OR IF THE MOTOR IS HARD TO START YOU CAN GET A NEW HIGH SPEED STARTER FOR AROUND $200.
Thanks, Tennessee! That is a great insight.
I'm the third owner on my '15 X Ltd, which came to me with a new built in late '16 engine due to starter gear case failure. How can I tell what starter I have?
I'm the third owner on my '15 X Ltd, which came to me with a new built in late '16 engine due to starter gear case failure. How can I tell what starter I have?
You would have the later starter in that '16 engine unless someone pulled some major shenanigans. Not sure it is even possible to put the older starter in the newer engine.
IF YOU ARE WANTING TO UPGRADE AND PUT MODS ON YOUR CAT, THEN YOU CAN CHANGE OUT THE STARTER TO THE NEWER VERSION. YOU DON'T REALLY NEED IT UNLESS YOU ARE MODIFYING THE ENGINE AND NEED SOMETHING THAT SPINS FASTER. THEY MADE THE CHANGE OVER WHEN THE X MODELS CAME OUT. IF YOU HAVE SOMETHlNG OLDER THAN THE X MODELS, THEN YOU NEED THE STARTER UPGRADED KIT TO BE ABLE TO UPGRADE TO THE NEW STARTER. OTHERWISE, ALL OF THEM ARE NOW INTERCHANGEABLE.
Not true, the 14 X has the older starter. My buddy Doghouse had one break on a trip to glamis. His car was completely stock. It backfired and broke the engine case where the starter gear engages it. It actually locked up the starter and gear. I think the new starter came out in 15.IF YOU ARE WANTING TO UPGRADE AND PUT MODS ON YOUR CAT, THEN YOU CAN CHANGE OUT THE STARTER TO THE NEWER VERSION. YOU DON'T REALLY NEED IT UNLESS YOU ARE MODIFYING THE ENGINE AND NEED SOMETHING THAT SPINS FASTER. THEY MADE THE CHANGE OVER WHEN THE X MODELS CAME OUT. IF YOU HAVE SOMETHlNG OLDER THAN THE X MODELS, THEN YOU NEED THE STARTER UPGRADED KIT TO BE ABLE TO UPGRADE TO THE NEW STARTER. OTHERWISE, ALL OF THEM ARE NOW INTERCHANGEABLE.
YES, lT THE OLD STARTER BUT BEFORE THE X MODELS YOU HAVE TO GET A UPGRADED KlT ON THE 2012 AND 2013
That is a good upgrade for any of the 15 and earlier cars.
21 - 40 of 69 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Wildcat Forum
A forum community dedicated to Arctic Cat Wildcat ATV owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Hollywood
14 Replies
Sak kitty
13 Replies
st96badboy
10 Replies
Recommended Communities
