RZR XP 1000 VS WILDCAT X 1000 LIMITED

Looking for opinions on these two sxs's. I've owned 4 Rzr's from the standard 50", S and the XP900. I really like the new  black Wildcat X Limited. It comes with Elka Stage 5 shocks, top, full doors, front and  rear bumpers and ITP beadlocks with Blackwater evolution tires. I am, however, concerned about the Arctic cat's reliability as far as engine, trans, clutch ect. Let's hear it guys, which machine would you buy?

Bobby D is the only person I know who has had engine problems with a Wildcat. I think that was just a rare case of component failure.

i have got a 2013.5 wildcat love the ride and the power drove a xp 1000 drove great and plenty of power xp 1000 cost more i think

A guy I work with has an artic cat 1000 he is wanting to sell. I don't know much about them or how many hrs or miles he has on it. I can get you his contact info tomorrow if you interested and he lives in ky also.

No one with a cat chiming in to give details with how they're holding up??

i have got one a 2013 everything on mine seems ok runs great and has a good ride the only thing i don,t like is that it has every little mud protection

I have a 2012 wildcat I got it for the ride not the hp still more power than rzr 800s my wildcat will run right with my buddys 900 just not as quick out the gate but when the trail gets rough I leave him behind the wildcat has more room inside and you sit much lower the new ones have better clutch ,more hp better shocks.better tires I would not be afraid to get the cat one more year on mine ill get the new x

A buddy of mine brought a new 13.5 Wild Cat to the spring ride, he had tranny issues. Took it to the shop when he got it back home, they said it was something internal. It had less than 300 miles on it  and he has not got it back yet. ( Not putting them down because they all have issues )

I owned a 12 wildcat and put right at 5000 miles on it best ride i have ever had and it never left me in the woods never a break down I did have an oil leak that was fixed under warranty! when I traded it in for a new 14 x it still had the original ball joints in it with no play!! bushings lasted up to about 2200 miles replaced them and they were still tight when traded, I now have a 14 x and I like it just as good if not better the main thing to keeping one up is taking care of your machine I wash it and check things after every ride . the 14 x limited with the elka shocks even handles better than  the one I have just due to the shocks! if you are looking for a limited send me a pm and I can hook you up good luck on your new purchase!

You left out they rebuilt the motor. Rick s is down with motor,old guy out clay county through a rod just like bobby d. My cousin scott buddy is on 3rd starter and it is a trailer Queen. All sxs have there issues. If you ride them hard you will work on them.

Very true pit dog. Buy the that feels the best to you wallet and your ass.

pit dog wrote:

You left out they rebuilt the motor. Rick s is down with motor,old guy out clay county through a rod just like bobby d. My cousin scott buddy is on 3rd starter and it is a trailer Queen. All sxs have there issues. If you ride them hard you will work on them.

I had an oil leak on the case halfs, so the engine had to come out and be torn down to reseal the halfs and I did not want the same pistons and rings going back in after being torn down, so the mechanic did me a favor nor did the mechanic want to put it back together with the same rings and pistons, and you would of done the same thing like I said he done me a great favor! somehow the pistons got all broke up somehow do you know what I mean!!!!  and no rick s dont have a motor problem, but you are completly right they all have Issues

Was not hatting just saying glad they took care of you. From what rick told me he was not so lucky.

I like the X LTD with the Elka stage 5 shocks, but probably going to stay with Polaris and pull the trigger on a new 1000. At this point I am going to see what changes the 2015 models have. They should be out in a month or two.

Good luck with whatever you do. There both nice machines. I like that 1000 RZR

TBONE21 wrote:

Good luck with whatever you do. There both nice machines. I like that 1000 RZR

me too between those two machines

Have been trying to decide if I want to jump in on this.. but might as well.  I ordered my xp1k within days after they came out, I will not say that it is a perfect machine (NONE ARE), but I am very happy with it.  It is suggested by polaris that it has an incredible suspension.. Yes, it does, coming from a standard 800 to it, but the more I ride and adjust, I can see that it can be much better, at minimal cost, around $500, most say it will ride like a trophy truck (those that have had it done) just trying to decide when to send them in.  
Power    enough said on that.  

Reliability (hope I don't jinks myself), but no issues and about 1000 miles, I have talked to guys out west that have over 3000 and no issues.

That being said, yes, there have been those that have blown engines in the first few hours, my opinion, they took off trailer at full throttle and never let off, maybe not, but could be.  Shocks, can be (and will be) much better. Belts, mainly have issues out west, high temps and belts don't mix, easy fix with blower.... 

99% of what you hear about a machine is what is wrong with it, mainly from those that own something else, I can tell you what problems mine has... if someone else has a problem with theirs, let them tell you, not going to point fingers and say look how bad that machine is... if you have any questions about the 1k, PM me, will be happy to tell you anything you want to know

Thanks for your opinions ElmoEOD. Would you care to elaborate on the issues yours has?

Other than not getting to ride it enough, the shocks could be better, there is a vibration in the front end in the front diff or from drive shaft when in 4x4, I am just living with it till they come up with a sure fix or it comes apart, either way they are fixing it.

Just bought a new  1000x  cat and after riding all day Saturday all I can say is awesome. The ride is amazing the suspension travel is out of this world. I've never drove a xp, but I love my cat

Don't get me wrong, the ride is awesome, I can go through areas in this thing at 50mph that I had to wear a mouth piece at 20mph in my old rzr to keep from chipping a tooth.  I just think that with a "true" dual rate shock and some re-valving it would be better.

Had a great 2009-800s and a piece of crap 2011 900xp. Couldn't do any riding for being in the shop. Traded for 1000x-limited in march. Haven't had time to put many miles on yet, however, ride is fantastic. Power is more than enough. Drove a friends 1000xp and feels a lot less stable esp. when climbing. If your going to buy the doors, better shocks, roof, and bead locks the wild cat gets more attractive to the wallet also. Both great machines. Got more gray hair trying to decide myself.  

Dano wrote:

Had a great 2009-800s and a piece of crap 2011 900xp. Couldn't do any riding for being in the shop. Traded for 1000x-limited in march. Haven't had time to put many miles on yet, however, ride is fantastic. Power is more than enough. Drove a friends 1000xp and feels a lot less stable esp. when climbing. If your going to buy the doors, better shocks, roof, and bead locks the wild cat gets more attractive to the wallet also. Both great machines. Got more gray hair trying to decide myself.  

Be totally honest. Do you think that Wildcat X1000 LTD you bought is a better machine than the Rzr XP1000?Power, ride, handling ect...I really like the features of the Wildcat X1000 LTD in black, but I'm concerned about the dependability of the cat.

Any reason you're not considering the Maverick?

The Front diff is the deal breaker for me. I ride a lot of technical trails with rock climbing and off-camber spots. The Maverick is a nice machine, but not as stable in that style of riding situation.

Ive got the 2014 Mav with the newer front diff QE for quick engagement. Hooks up quick. I was skeptical too, but very happy with it. Top quality, IMO.