New UTV buyer. RTV 500 or 610/SX Mule

[Josefmd]

Been actively looking for a small UTV for our newly purchased lake house in TN.
Been researching both the Kubota 500 and Mules SX and older 610. Having a hard time deciding between the two. Mainly just going to use them for transportation down to dock and light work(trash hauling and basic yard work). Before someone suggests a golf cart, that will not cut it up the hills and up and down the yard. Most of area down to dock has no path. I currently have a excepted offer on a 2011 RTV 500 with 39hrs on it for $6500. Only option on it is the bumper guard. The seller inherited it with a purchase of property, so pretty sure no maintenance has ever been done on it. Original fluids etc. Not real concerned about the overall reliability of the Kubotas, but it seems the Mule will be more reliable in the long run. Have found a few newer used Mules out there, but prices are crazy almost at new values. The tranny differences are sufficient between the two with some people telling me the hdyrostatic tranny is no good for a UTV. I have had hydrostatic’s on my John Deere lawn tractors with no issues. I am planning on picking up the Kubota on Friday as things stand now, but still have my eyes open for a Mule if something pops up.

 

[nbking]

I have the 900, and love it. I too use it for running around the property, trash duty, and hauling stuff. It is not fast, and won't win any races, but it is a beast, tons of power, skidded many trees, moved loads of gravel, etc. I looked at a couple others, and am glad I went with the kubota. Good luck with yours, 39 hrs is still pretty new.

 

[jeff9366]

I have a Kubota RTV500 with 1,000 hours on the engine. I work it hard.

For work, the HST transmissions in Kuborta's RTVs cannot be beat. Same two range HST used in Kubota BX tractors. I very rarely employ LOW range in flat Florida. Kubota has 4-WD and locking differential standard. I never use either but you may find these features useful in hilly Tennessee.

HST not much for speed but great for applying 15.8 horsepower to the ground and pulling trailers.

I have the factory option turf tires, which are more like tractor R4/industrial tires than tractor turf tires.

Dispose of old gas and fuel with fresh gas. Do not drive with the old gas.

Polar makes pretty good, inexpensive poly trailers which mostly dump. (last photo)

I have a MUTS Utility Trailer from Canada. Fantastic trailer but pricey.

 

[Josefmd]

I have the 900, and love it. I too use it for running around the property, trash duty, and hauling stuff. It is not fast, and won't win any races, but it is a beast, tons of power, skidded many trees, moved loads of gravel, etc. I looked at a couple others, and am glad I went with the kubota. Good luck with yours, 39 hrs is still pretty new.

Thanks!! Yeah it seems guys either love the Kubota or from some quick research from online posts haven’t had the greatest experience. This unit definitely has low time, and is in great condition. The only blemish is a small crack on left side of hood. I guess only having 39 hrs on it is good and bad thing. For its age, being a 2011 it has sat around not being used quite a bit. From a price standpoint it’s a no brainer. New they are close to 10k, and the majority I have seen dealers selling them for used with much higher useage seem to average around 8k or so. It still amazes me how the UTV’s in general hold their value so well.

 

[cathy liebchen]

for your use, any Mule makes more sense. You will have higher maintenance costs with the RTV, and repairs can be very costly on the Kubota. Unless you are doing heavy hauling and towing (farm type work) the Mule is a better choice. It is essentially a 4WD golf cart with the same 350cc single engine as in many EZ GO carts but will climb any hill you have.

I would not rule out a golf cart- we had a lifted Yamaha gasser with a Plowmans clutch kit for years that would climb anything. Great for hauling people and very light yard duty.

The Mule XC is a drum brake no power steering small unit older design with almost no suspension travel- you may want to look at a Mule Pro MX, it is the smaller size with the much more modern design , EPS, much more power, IPS, etc.

 

[Josefmd]

for your use, any Mule makes more sense. You will have higher maintenance costs with the RTV, and repairs can be very costly on the Kubota. Unless you are doing heavy hauling and towing (farm type work) the Mule is a better choice. It is essentially a 4WD golf cart with the same 350cc single engine as in many EZ GO carts but will climb any hill you have.

I would not rule out a golf cart- we had a lifted Yamaha gasser with a Plowmans clutch kit for years that would climb anything. Great for hauling people and very light yard duty.

The Mule XC is a drum brake no power steering small unit older design with almost no suspension travel- you may want to look at a Mule Pro MX, it is the smaller size with the much more modern design , EPS, much more power, IPS, etc.

Thanks! All valid points from all you guys. Those things you brought up with regards to the Mule have been the stuff I definitely have been considering. Inquiring about this 2014 610 XC. 22hr machine with some extras. Asking $8000 would be a buyer at $7000.

 

[cathy liebchen]

Thanks! All valid points from all you guys. Those things you brought up with regards to the Mule have been the stuff I definitely have been considering. Inquiring about this 2014 610 XC. 22hr machine with some extras. Asking $8000 would be a buyer at $7000.
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Every used Mule for sale is at least $1,000 overpriced. Blue book on that 2014 610 is about $5,800. Saw one sell here last month just like it, $6200 with 40 hours on it. $7,000 is not an outrageous amount to pay for a camo.

You can get a brand new 2019 SX XC with the new body type and fuel injection at about $8,500. a new 2019 Mule Pro MX is about $10,500. Love the XC, it will run forever

 

[Josefmd]

Every used Mule for sale is at least $1,000 overpriced. Blue book on that 2014 610 is about $5,800. Saw one sell here last month just like it, $6200 with 40 hours on it. $7,000 is not an outrageous amount to pay for a camo.

You can get a brand new 2019 SX XC with the new body type and fuel injection at about $8,500. a new 2019 Mule Pro MX is about $10,500. Love the XC, it will run forever

The one I am looking at has $883 of Kawasaki genuine accessories. The roof, window, and brush guard. A extra tail light on back, and two lights mounted on bumper. Would think those extras would be worth half that when adding value to the machine. This unit has just been operated around their street! Supposedly bought for their granddaughter to drive around. Was told it never has been operated in the dirt. By the pics I can believe it. It not being FI is a minor issue, but by all means not a deal breaker.

 

[cathy liebchen]

The one I am looking at has $883 of Kawasaki genuine accessories. The roof, window, and brush guard. A extra tail light on back, and two lights mounted on bumper. Would think those extras would be worth half that when adding value to the machine. This unit has just been operated around their street! Supposedly bought for their granddaughter to drive around. Was told it never has been operated in the dirt. By the pics I can believe it. It not being FI is a minor issue, but by all means not a deal breaker.

You definitely want the XC upgrade.

A new one around here is about $8,500; the camo is $600 more than a solid color one. Carb is fine on a 350cc engine like that, its in many many thousands of golf carts and lawn equipment

You could run that one for years and they resell instantly

 

[cathy liebchen]

do they still have the rear headache rack? from the pics it looks like an aftermarket window of some type with headrests