I'm Looking At All The Major Brand UTV's

Oleozz · Apr 5, 2016

My Mule is 12 years old, have a possible buyer for it so I have started to shop for an upgrade and updated UTV. My first visit was to the JD dealership to look at the 825i. They had several in the lot, liked the features, received a price but was not offered to drive one. Power steering, automatic dump, a good suspension are all important and the JD has those. With all current deals I was quoted about 14% off MSRP.
Next visit was to the Polaris dealer, price was higher for a 900 Ranger than the 825i and they were equipped about the same. It was important to him that I drive the 900 which I did, great ride, climbed a steep hill with ease in the turf mode, and it seemed quiet. His offer was about 10% under the MSRP.
Yesterday I visited the Honda dealer, looked at a Frontier1000, price was close to the 825i but had no power dump. He made no offer to allow me to drive it, wasn't crazy about the color choices being offered.
I will be visiting a Can Am dealer soon to look at the Defenders, I like the Rotex engines, had one in a Bombardier ATV and it was a good engine.
If anybody has any suggestions that you think would be helpful in making a final decision it would be appreciated.

nybirdman · Apr 5, 2016

We have or had the Kawaski Teryx,Yamaha Rhino,825 Gator and two Yamaha Vikings,one a 2015 the other a 2016.My personal choice are Yamaha's all the way;put 4,000 miles on my Rhino with absolutely no problems just normal wear and tear items.I recently purchase a 2016 Viking and like it so far.
Teryx is owned by my SIL and has been a good machine;the 825 JD Gator by my BIL and has been ok,just not for me.A friend has a 900cc ,six seat Polaris,too new to judge,but past Rangers had plenty of problems.
Another friend has a 800cc Ranger,six seat and just had to have the engine replaced on his dime.This is his third or fourth and he keeps trading because he has problems with them.
The JD use Chinese three cylinders in the 825 and Italian twins in the 850/860i's.Looked at the 860's but way too much money;$4,000 more than my Viking.

s219 · Apr 5, 2016

Definitely look at the Kubota RTV-X900D or RTVX-1120D -- if you were considering the Deere, the Kubota should be on your shopping list. However, it's built different than most other UTVs -- more tractor-like construction -- so that may or may not be what you're looking for.

I briefly looked at the Deeres, since I own other Deeres and the dealer is right down the street. But to say I was unimpressed is an understatement. They are just not in the same league as the Kubotas in terms of construction and duty level.

hawkeye08 · Apr 5, 2016

We were just talking about UTVs yesterday as we saw a very large dealer (carried at least 6 different brands) in the middle of nowwhere, miles from any town, many miles from a town of any size... near Grangeville, Idaho if I recall correctly... it would be nice if one dealer had the different brands you were looking at and could do a drive comparison.

Oleozz · Apr 6, 2016

Looked at a Yamaha Viking today, had a friendly young salesman. He showed me the features, electric power steering, liquid cooled single cylinder engine, etc. Again no offer to let me drive one, said price when everything was figured out would be about $16,000. I told him that was way higher than anything I had looked at yet, he asked me when I would be buying and I said in about a month. He said well then at that time we will sit down and figure out a price for you?? Not sure why not then and there BUT I thanked him for his time and was on my way. Will make my final visit to see a Can-Am and Yamaha on Friday, people seemed real nice on the phone.
Forgot to mention, I did ask the Yamaha salesman if there were any incentives going on, he said, "Oh they change all the time."

nybirdman · Apr 6, 2016

He off on his price for the Viking unless it had a lot of dealer installed options.My 2016 EPS Viking list price was $13,700.
Were you looking at a six seater,price for that would start about $16,000.
You can go to the Yamaha Viking site and get list prices.

Xfaxman · Apr 8, 2016

Don't Know if this is a "Major Brand", but they might even be better. :thumbsup:

The Truck model is a real workhorse.

Side by Side Utility Vehicles - Intimidator 4x4 UTVs

Oleozz · Apr 8, 2016

I looked at the Mahindra line several weeks ago (Made by Intimidator?), well built machines, talked at length with the dealer's son and decided to go back this past weekend but they were having open house and the place was packed.
I've narrowed my choices down to a Mule Pro-FX EPS LE and the Gator 825i. They both have the same engines, the Mule is longer, wider, and heavier and more expensive. On the Gator the skid plates are standard, on the Mule they are an $1100 option. I like the looks of the Mule with the two doors and large cargo area, I also drove a Can-Am Defender at the Mule dealers, I don't think you could go wrong with that UTV either.
My Mule 3010 is sold, now I need to make a decision. (The JD dealer is 3 miles away, Kawasaki dealer 55 miles).

WM75Guy · Apr 9, 2016

I went through the same process of pricing and testing all the models sold near me. Ended up with the Mule 4010 Trans4X4. We wanted something for using around the farm and to give rides to the grandkids. I did not want doors or side restraint nets and I didn't need something that would go faster than 25 mph so it fit what we needed and wanted. It has worked out great.

Oleozz · Apr 11, 2016

After some hand wringing I decided on the Mule Pro FX EPS LE (that's a mouthful). Was close between the Mule and Gator, both had nice features and prices were comparable. Will arrive in a week or so and I will then post some pictures. Now I need a bigger trailer to haul it on, any advice on trailers?