Inflated Prices. Buying Used vs. New.

[MGH PA]

I'm in the market (and have been for some time) for a UTV for work and light recreation around our property (we own 25 acres but are in the middle of my parent's 220 acres). After a lot of research and knowing I want seating for more than 3 people, I have settled (I believe) on a Mule Pro FXT. Of course, I waited until new pricing is almost $2000 more than it was a year ago, and the used market is still super inflated as well. Our local dealer only gets a few in a year at best, and they are all $20,000 + OTD. Used ones are very hard to find, but I found a nice semi-local machine with low hours and mileage for its' year (2015 LE). It's price in today's market is fair ($12,500 for the unit which also has the roof, windshield, and wiper kit), but still almost $2k above book value. Not to mention it's almost 8 years old at this point. I would be saving over $8k on a new one (I have a hard time justifying a $20K purchase on a work toy), but I feel like it's not truly apples to apples due to inflated prices. Everyone last year at this time said to wait for the supply chain issues to work themselves out before buying. Those issues are improving, but still not back to pre-covid. Couple that with our current economic conditions, it's not looking like waiting is the smart long term play if I could use the machine now.

So, now the question is to roll the dice on a less expensive used option, albeit still inflated, or spend a significant amount more for the newer machine? Thoughts?

 

[EddieWalker]

I can't comprehend how anybody can spend that kind of money on a UTV, but when I bought my 4010 Trans Mule, I struggled with the cost for months before finally buying it. All of the used ones I looked at where too beaten up for me. I didn't want to work on it, I wanted it to start every time I wanted to use it. In the end, I financed it for 5 years with a payment low enough that I could pay it off early, which I did.

After buying it, I realized how much I needed it. We use the Mule more then everything else here combined!!!! It's become the one essential machine for living here.

 

[Hay Dude]

Somewhat related:

My Ram had to go in for a warranty campaign. I dropped it off yesterday. As I pulled into the Service dept a salesman approached me and offered to buy my truck from me-on the spot for a very good price.

I asked him why. He said he had a long time customer that needed a truck immediately and none were available from Ram. He went on to tell me the supply chain was still a mess and new trucks are very hard to come by.

 

[MGH PA]

I can't comprehend how anybody can spend that kind of money on a UTV, but when I bought my 4010 Trans Mule, I struggled with the cost for months before finally buying it. All of the used ones I looked at where too beaten up for me. I didn't want to work on it, I wanted it to start every time I wanted to use it. In the end, I financed it for 5 years with a payment low enough that I could pay it off early, which I did.

After buying it, I realized how much I needed it. We use the Mule more then everything else here combined!!!! It's become the one essential machine for living here.

Agreed. I don't really NEED one, but I do feel like there are a lot of reasons to have one (I borrow my dad's 570 Mid-Size a lot). It just seems like these tools/toys aren't getting any less expensive with each year.

 

[newbury]

Everyone last year at this time said to wait for the supply chain issues to work themselves out before buying.

But while the supply chain issues worked out Russia attacked Ukraine and inflation has climbed up higher.
Unless we get a sharp recession prices are unlikely to go down much on new. Meanwhile you are not getting use of it.
And people have been saying "the recession is coming" for years. From the WP in 2018

DECEMBER 20, 2018

The vital signs aren’t good. The S&P 500 has fallen more than 10 percent since its September peak, which technically puts us in “correction” territory. In the past few weeks, markets whipsawed over whether we do or do not have a trade deal with China (we don’t)

Only you can decide if it's better to sit on the cash or the UTV.

 

[ArlyA]

I'm not in the market for one but it does seem that new units are showing up and sitting at the dealership. Why not offer the used unit onwer book and see what they think??

 

[deserteagle71]

When I bought my Can-am Defender side by side it was for the express purpose of recreation - exploring the outback. Which we have an awful lot of "outback" around here. But I found myself using it around the homestead more and more...so many tasks that I was using one of my tractors for, I now use the Can-am.

I think you'll be surprised at how many uses you can find for a UTV on a farm. Pretty handy to have around. But without doing a thorough inspection of the used machine it is impossible to say that in the long run it would be cheaper than a new one. Are there any maintenance records for the used one?

 

[rgr33]

I’ve said it before on these forums, my UTV is the most used tool on my place

It is mainly used as a tool hauler and mini dump truck, but also for people transport, and keeps the hours off the tractors

Once you bite the bullet, you will wonder how you ever got along without it.

 

[Rdrcr]

I bought my UTV primarily as a recreational vehicle. To my surprise, as others have mentioned, I use it more on my property than any other vehicle.

With the used market still inflated (assuming the seller won't take a better offer), I'd suggest buying the new unit.

Mike

 

[MGH PA]

Thanks everyone. I would feel better buying new, but financially, I'm not sure it makes sense.

 

[EddieWalker]

I was at Lowes yesterday and saw that they had about a dozen Colemen electric golf cart UTV's that where lifted and done up pretty nice for ten grand. I thought that was a crazy amount, but then got to thinking about it and now I'm not so sure.

The biggest deciding factor for me to buy new was from going to the dealers and seeing what the monthly cost would be with financing. Kawasaki wasn't my first choice before I started looking. I was really wanting Kubota, but they where just crazy on their pricing and then the extra for insurance that I decided to look at a few other brands. The five year loan that Kawasaki had with a couple grand down had my payment under $200 a month. I think it was $178, but I'm not sure if that's accurate. I paid $500 a month and then paid it off when it got under two grand.

Before buying used, it couldn't hurt to talk to a few different dealers to see what they have to offer.

 

[bigtiller]

I’ve said it before on these forums, my UTV is the most used tool on my place

It is mainly used as a tool hauler and mini dump truck, but also for people transport, and keeps the hours off the tractors

Once you bite the bullet, you will wonder how you ever got along without it.

All of that and more...mine is used for a portable workbench quite often.

 

[Rdrcr]

Thanks everyone. I would feel better buying new, but financially, I'm not sure it makes sense.

Only you can make that decision.

Financially, it’s a difficult decision to justify, unless you’re using the UTV in a commercial setting.
Originally, when I purchased my UTV, I just assumed I was throwing money away and regarding sale prices, used was just as expensive as new. Now, however, I can justify the purchase a bit more considering how much it’s used on the property.

Mike

 

[timswi]

Thanks everyone. I would feel better buying new, but financially, I'm not sure it makes sense.

Actually, unless yo know the previous owner and how the machine was used/maintained I'm of the general opinion that buying new makes good financial sense..That's all I've done in the past 20 years. I agree it hurts at first but it give some degree of peace of mind as time goes on. Just my $.02. Just bought a 2022 RZR Trail 900 new..Put about 1/2 down so that made it more digestible but still stupid expensive.

 

[East30]

I felt the same way a few years ago, spending $23k for my x1100c, with a set of tracks. Couldn't believe I was spending that much money on a UTV. I wondered what was wrong with me. I'd never owned one of any kind prior. Within a couple of months, I knew it was money well spent. As of now, still very glad i bought new as well, I'm the only owner, I know how it's been used and maintained for every hour of use. The work it's done on the acreage had been worth its weight in gold to me.

 

[MGH PA]

Actually, unless yo know the previous owner and how the machine was used/maintained I'm of the general opinion that buying new makes good financial sense..That's all I've done in the past 20 years. I agree it hurts at first but it give some degree of peace of mind as time goes on. Just my $.02. Just bought a 2022 RZR Trail 900 new..Put about 1/2 down so that made it more digestible but still stupid expensive.

It's a one owner machine with relatively low mileage for its' age (2015 with 339 hours/1280 miles). Supposedly heated garage stored its entire life, and not plowed with. Sent me more photos of the undercarriage, and it looks pretty good for 8 years of age.

 

[bigtiller]

Buy it before someone beats you to it....we know you want to

 

[ArlyA]

We use our atv year-around on jobs that its made 50%* easier. Would not be without one today.

*had to make up a number.

 

[MGH PA]

I really can't make up my mind. I'm looking back over the pictures of the underside of the machine, and maybe I'm being OCD, but I feel like it could look better. Some dirt still caked up in some spots. Some paint flaking off with some surface rust, etc. Take and look and let me know what you think. I don't want to waste a 1.5hr one way trip if it's not something I'm 99% sure I'm taking home.

 

[ArlyA]

For a 2015 machine, it looks fine to me. For the $$$ I'd go look at it.