2008 Arctic Cat Panther

The Arctic Cat Panther, in addition to being one of the most reliable snowmobiles in the world, is also the one with the longest and perhaps most interesting history.

As we all like to say, ‘back in the day,’ the Panther set the technical direction for our sport. It had an aluminum chassis, used aircraft-style riveting in its construction, positioned its fan-cooled engine over the skis and off the tunnel, offered a ‘flip-top’ hood and started the revolution in slide rail suspensions.

Yes, first appearing in 1966, the venerable Panther was a revolutionary Cat with a parallel rail slide suspension that helped Arctic Cat become number one in sled sales right up to its near-death experience of liquidation in the early 1980s. Even then the Panther never really disappeared as AKTIV in Sweden manufactured the model under license from about 1981 to Cat’s return in 1984, led by the Panther and El Tigre.

There are view sleds as reliable and durable as Cat’s 2008 Panther.

The best value Panther features a 370cc two-stroke twin with solid bottom end and a miserly nature with a gallon of fuel.

No respect?

Today’s Panther doesn’t get the respect it’s owed. It is positioned as a ‘value touring’ snowmobile; rounding out the 2008 product line brochures, just ahead of the strictly utilitarian Bearcat work sleds. You might want to give the Panther a close look, especially if you are after long-term value. The pieces comprising the ’08 Panther are solidly reliable and proven over many seasons of rugged consumer miles.

As always, the Panther seats two, just as it did back in the day. That primitive slid rail suspension has long since been superseded with a modern, long travel design that offers up to 13.3 inches of ride absorption. Today’s FasTrack design uses adjustable torsion springs combined with a two-inch diameter shock. We especially like the fiberglass overload springs that can be set to accommodate either dual or single passenger loads. Granted that the front suspension is an older Arctic Wishbone Suspension version, but this fifth iteration of Cat’s A-arm front end grips the trail for easy steering inputs. Panthers equipped with the liquid-cooled, Suzuki-built four-stroke triple get heavier duty Ryde FX shocks, while those with the fan-cooled 370cc twin come with hydraulic twin tube shocks on the AWS V.

Engine choices

If you want quiet and economy in your Panther, you should consider the Panther 660 with the four-stroke. It has a nice mellow note, delivers adequate power but above average fuel economy thanks to its full electronic fuel injection. The two-stroke 370 is a tad noisier, but it will be lighter on the trail as simplicity rules. That means no added weight penalty from plumbing for liquid-cooling. Either way, both Panthers are solid long distance performers.

Arctic Cat’s Panther traces its ancestry back to 1966 and a number of technical innovations.

One thing that Cat has down cold is wind-cheating design. These value Cats come with unbelievably effective windshields and bodywork that truly divert the cold from the passenger area. Add in adjustable heat from the hand and thumb warmers and you can be quite comfy in winter’s worst.

You won’t be getting the multi-faceted, one-size-fits-most adjustability in seat and handlebars of the truly upscale TZ1 LXR, but you can take solace in saving more than US$6,000 by opting for the Panther 370. That will buy a lot of nights at a very plush off-trail resort!

You do get an aluminum chassis, a two-up seat with multi-density foam, disc brake, electric start and a history that no other sled can offer.

When you pin us down, we admit to a certain fondness for the Panther. Sure, like most snowmobilers, we would jump aboard a Jaguar or an F6 Sno Pro before reaching for the Panther’s key, but we appreciate that the Panther remains a sled that you can trust. You can count on it—mile after mile after mile. When you find yourself shopping with your own dollars and you want a sled that will last, the Panther shows up as a being a great bargain. It is fun on the trail and handles fresh snow well. That comes from being outfitted with a 136-inch long track. Combine the Panther 370’s strong low end torque with good track bite and you have an above average deep snow performer. Bet not too many riders would think of the Panther as a deep snow sled, but it does quite well for itself. Don’t be afraid to take this sled for an off trail excursion.

Yes, indeed, the Panther for 2008 has quite a legacy. When you look at the Panther—either the four-stroke 660 or two-stroke 370—there is a heritage in its makeup that makes it a superb value in today’s economy.