The Official UTV thread

[hickslawns]

Not to date. I run it in all three speeds and haven't noticed any issues. It has 150 hours on it.

Good to know. Thanks.

Just got off phone with local Kubota dealer. Amercian Powersports has a 2010 with 300-400hrs for $10400.
Here are the units I am currently considering: All 2 seat models and 4x4
New 2013 Mule 4010 diesel- $11400
Used 2010 Kubota RTV900 diesel 3-400hrs, radio, windshield, cab top, aluminum rims: $10400
"Used" 2013" Kubota RTV900 diesel 3.6hrs- $11900
New 2013-2014 Kubota RTV900 diesel- $12900 with zero percent interest
2010 JD HDX 600cc gas- 4-500hrs $6800

Don't want to jump to $11900-12900 but if it is a unit which offers zero percent interest and will still be worth $8500-10500 in 3-5years, it is a tough call. Really wasn't looking at the Kubota lineup, but for resale value and financing options, it may be more beneficial for myself than it would be for the general home owner looking for a "toy."

 

["J"]

Phil we have a 07 RTV900 diesel 4x4 thing push some serious snow for the size of it and with 10-15 people driving it here at work no issues too speak of.... Almost 500 hours and it hasn't been babied although we don't off road with it lol.... The Kubota was the only manufacturer who's would still honor the warranty using aircraft JP8 fuel....

 

[Bigslam51]

Personally I wouldn't buy a UTV with 3-400 hours. The guy can tell you all day long that its never been abused or what not but you never know.

 

[hickslawns]

Personally I wouldn't buy a UTV with 3-400 hours. The guy can tell you all day long that its never been abused or what not but you never know.

Maybe so. 3-400hrs doesn't scare me a bit. Neither do 900-1100 on a diesel if the body/undercarriage shows minimal wear. Inside of the bed doesn't bother me unless beat to death. It is realistic to expect some maintenance costs though if you buy one with 300-900-1500 hours. But. . . . $8k for a 900hr machine or $17k for the same machine new? I can afford a couple repair bills over the course of 4-5yrs.

 

[epe]

My uncle has a Kubota diesel and loves it. Dad was pretty impressed with it. Never had any problems.

 

[Bigslam51]

Polaris now makes a new diesel ranger.
Nevermind that, its too pricey. Idk, we didn't have 13-15k to spend on a UTV so after research we went with the ranger 500. If we had the money we probably would of bought either the 900xp or the diesel model. Both of those are full size and would of offered my big ass a little more leg room. I'm still happy with our purchase but our next one will be a full size just because of my stature. The mid size models are great for the woods though!

 

[at1010]

Polaris now makes a new diesel ranger.
Nevermind that, its too pricey. Idk, we didn't have 13-15k to spend on a UTV so after research we went with the ranger 500. If we had the money we probably would of bought either the 900xp or the diesel model. Both of those are full size and would of offered my big ass a little more leg room. I'm still happy with our purchase but our next one will be a full size just because of my stature. The mid size models are great for the woods though!

I have a ranger 800, freaking agree with you bigslam! I love it! Workhorse, Ive ran it for hours and hours.

With that being said, ive ran john deere, kubots, etc. I like them all, neighbor has a kubota, and loves it.

 

[Bigslam51]

I have a ranger 800, freaking agree with you bigslam! I love it! Workhorse, Ive ran it for hours and hours.

With that being said, ive ran john deere, kubots, etc. I like them all, neighbor has a kubota, and loves it.

Post a pic of it!

 

[hickslawns]

I know the guys with Polaris who haven't had any issues seem to love them. I just can't get over all the issues their jet skiis and four wheelers have had. Plus my buddy had warranty issues and went through 2 engines on his brand new unit a couple years ago. I truly hope you guys never have an issue with yours. Not trying to jinx you guys. I just can't get over it in my head.

Other issue: In my price range, the Ranger 800 only shows 500lb bed payload. That is only two big dudes in the bed. What if I fill it up with stone, mulch, top soil, sand, or firewood? Will it handle it? Probably. Just want to start out with something designed to handle it. Off road capabilities and ride quality are not on my list of needs. Just a perk if they ride nice or you could go over 20mph or off road the thing. Not something I need though. It can ride like a freight train so long as it goes where I want and hauls some serious weight.

 

[TripleA88]

Do some research on youtube Phil. I'm sure you have, plenty of videos that break down each model. That's what I did and it ultimately led me to buying a Ranger 800 EFI last summer.

 

[Boone]

This is a timely thread. We are looking at UTVs too. He are considering the new Yamaha Viking that replaced the Rhino. We went shopping for them the other day and it fits three people comfortably. I really like the width and stability for the southern Ohio hills.

http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/outdoor/products/modelhome/686/0/home.aspx

http://www.yamahamotorsports.com/outdoor/products/advantages/686/1/0/advantages.aspx

 

[hickslawns]

Thanks for the suggestion Alex.

Good luck Boone. Hadn't really considered that one because hillside stability isn't a factor where I live. Lol

For my needs there are others cheaper but I think this thread will help anyone shopping so post away buddy. Let us know what you think if you demo one.

 

[Bigslam51]

You'll wish you had that stability if you decide to take it somewhere else.

 

[hickslawns]

You'll wish you had that stability if you decide to take it somewhere else.

That is just it though Chad. If I go somewhere to offroad I will be on my KTM. I have been offroading dirt bikes for 32yrs. Have a stack of plaques in my closet and some war stories and old injuries to show for it. Sure didn't pay the bills, but had a lot of fun. lol

 

[Bigslam51]

Its nice to have more than one seat though. Can't take a big cooler on a dirt bike either.

 

[jagermeister]

We run Polaris Rangers at work. They are used and abused and go through a lot of things they shouldn't. Our old one is a 2000 Ranger 6x6... Nothing pretty, doesn't handle the greatest since is 6x6, but has been through hell and back and is still ticking. Had to replace a fuel pump module recently but that's about it. Oh, and a couple drive belt replacements. Newest one is a 2014 Ranger XP900 EPS 4x4... one hell of a machine. Too early to tell how it's going to hold up but if it's anything like the last one it should be just fine. The electronic power steering is the cat's pajamas.

I've been around and operated a few Kubota RTVs and the Mules. They were ok... but honestly I wasn't impressed. The Kubotas are dogs, IMO. And heavy as shit. I guess if you're wanting to push snow with it you'll want a heavy machine, but that's not an attribute that bodes well for our applications in the marsh and in the fields. It's like everything else out there, Phil... There are all kinds of different makes and models and variations... Find one that suits YOUR needs and roll with it.

 

[Bigslam51]

I wish I had a 2014 xp900 EPS at work, or home would be better! Is the power steering so good that you can turn with a finger?

 

[hickslawns]

Gators I have driven were dogs as well Jager. Not a concern. Snow plowing with it "might" happen. My main functions will be hauling firewood or mulch.

Off road Chad? We don't take coolers. More like take an 80mile 4 hour loop. Come back to eat lunch and top off the fuel tanks and camel backs. Go out and do a 40-60mile loop and cook a big meal. Crash out and do it again the next day. We cover some ground when we go trail riding. Two seats aren't a thought. It is generally race pace depending on who I ride with. When I ride with my older group of riding buddies I get all kinds of breaks. I like to blast out ahead of them and then find a nice mudhole to stop at and take pictures of the guys going thru it or same thing with a long hillclimb. Get to the top and take pictures of them climbing it. Jump on the bike while they are catching their breath and blast off again never giving them a chance to rest. lmao

 

[Bigslam51]

I meant with the family, hicks.

 

[hickslawns]

I meant with the family, hicks.

lol. Oh. :smiley_blackeye:

Well, the wife has a quad to ride. The kids all have their own bikes if we go that route. lmao

Looks like the search is temporarily over. Local Club Car dealer gave me the right displacement and price on the XRT950 he quoted. He told me the specs for load carrying capacity in the bed was 800lbs. Brochure said 425lbs. I had written them off as an option. If I am dropping $8000 on a 400-500lb capacity bed I would have bought a brand new RTV400 or RTV500 for around $8000. Then I found a larger model on ebay and did some more research.

Just bought a 2004 Club Car XRT1500 with 800lb bed capacity (1000lb if it has the high load capacity option). Just need to get some money sent that way and arrange shipping from Alabama. Most likely will be a couple weeks before it arrives. For what I paid, I don't care if it won't do what I want it to. I will flip it and make some money and increase the pot for my UTV fund. lmao

I actually think it will work out quite well.