Gut Check
Got to tell you right off the bat - I like AC. You are right the enginesare Suzuki - but all the rest of it is designed abd built by AC.

I have a 2002 AC 500 with independent supension all the way around. I tried to put it in the shop last year - for a routine check-up, most important I wanted valve clearance checked - he did all the checks but did not do any work on it all - told me to take it home and keep riding.

When I was reseaching my purchase, one of the machines I was interested in was the Bombardier, because I had their snowmobiles - I ended up with the AC one because of price - two local vendor - 3 durability. 4 two speed transfer case, which I still have not needed but it is there if I need that additional power...