Nephew got a sand buggy for Christmas.... disappointing.

ultrarunner · Feb 22, 2015

BMS Sand Sniper 150 - Deluxe Buggy Go Kart - Go Cart- Motobuys.com

Brother bought his kids one of these 149cc crate buggies for use around the ranch...

It took a lot of time to assemble without direction...

So far, it has been a big disappointment... warranty is worthless.

About an hour into the first day the transmission broke... turns out a large internal nut backed off... so at least it could be fixed.

Now, the rims are collapsing... which has been pointed out on internet forums...

Also, the battery only holds for about 24 hours... another known issue...

I went throught the same process when considering a nortrack dozer and TLB... glad to have avoided the pitfalls by lots of reading here at TBN.

Do have to say the engine sounds good... so far.

Wondering if anyone here also has one of these buggies and could give me a heads up on other potential problems areas?

Also, are there low cost rims anyone can suggest?

ovrszd · Feb 22, 2015

Friend of mine bought something similar for his Grandson. Bad idea. Work on it 2 hours, ride it 15 minutes. Sorry you are having bad luck. Sorry I can't help ya in your search.

In these deals, you get what you pay for.

ultrarunner · Feb 22, 2015

That about sums it up... 2 hours work for 15 minutes of fun...

Brother put the buggy in the horse trailer and took it to a mechanic 90 miles away and paid $300 to repair the transmission...

Mechanic was recommended from seller...

Submitted a warranty claim and was denied...

For the last year, they had been looking for a used Deere Gator or Kubota RTV... just kind of hard to justify 10k or more for an RTV...

I've never paid 10k or more for a car except once... and still have the car 13 years later... collector vehicles excluded.

ovrszd · Feb 22, 2015

I hear ya. That is why the grey-market buggies exist. People just can't see investing the money it takes to get a good one for a "toy". My response is, then buy the kids a ball and bat.

kenmac · Feb 22, 2015

looks sharp..Too bad it's made in China..I've got a friend that works on ATV' etc, A lot of people bring him those china made ATV'S to be repaired. often, only after a couple months after they bought it...He usually tells them just to buy another 1 or invest in the name brands..He says by the time he hunts down parts and his labor.. the china ATV'S just aren't worth repairing... Like I said,, that is a sharp looking unit..too bad they don't put a little quality into them

ultrarunner · Feb 22, 2015

No one asked me or I would have ventured my opinion...

When I needed a little buggy around the ranch I bought a Samurai for $1,000. I needed a clutch and a transmission bearing... $125 in parts and I have not spend a nickel on it in 10 years...

Brad_Blazer · Feb 23, 2015

If you search for ATV wheels you may find something. Here's what popped up for me.
ITP Steel ATV Wheels - 8x8.5 - 4 Wheel Parts

riptides · Feb 23, 2015

ultrarunner said:
For the last year, they had been looking for a used Deere Gator or Kubota RTV... just kind of hard to justify 10k or more for an RTV...

Yes, but these vehicles service many different needs and include fun factors too. Plus, they seem to be built for many years of service or the buyers lifetime.

Shameless plug, our RTV, best vehicle purchase we ever made. First model year too. Even taught the kids how-to drive, and all about "4WD", driving conditions, hauling and dumping stuff, etc. etc.

EddieWalker · Feb 23, 2015

That's disappointing. I remember looking at buggies like that when I was wanting something to replace an old golf cart. The golf cart was great and I was seriously considering another, but the longer I looked, the more advice I received on what to get, the more I adjusted myself to paying more. In the end I wen with the Kawasaki Mule. I financed it for about $80 a month over five years and paid it off in two years. Easily one of the best things I've ever bought.

Eddie

ovrszd · Feb 23, 2015

ultrarunner said:
No one asked me or I would have ventured my opinion...

When I needed a little buggy around the ranch I bought a Samurai for $1,000. I needed a clutch and a transmission bearing... $125 in parts and I have not spend a nickel on it in 10 years...

Yep, Sami's are the cheapest and most durable UTVs on the market!!!! People think that's a crazy statement but they aren't much bigger than a UTV and ten times more durable/capable.