Value: Smart car vs Average 2wd ATV

[moeh1]

For about half the cost of a UTV, you can sometimes locate a gently used Bombardier or Hinomoto 2 seater tractor.
Diesel power, 3pt and pto you can do alot more stuff with. They are not as fast but I don't seem to mind that as I get older.
I don't think the smart car clutch would last long on my hilly terrain....

 

[FrogLick]

I was considering an ATV for general chores and movement around my farm. Even used ones seemed to be a bit spendy. I wound up getting a used electric golf cart for a fraction of the price; some dealers will even put a work bed on the back to replace the golf bag holder. I've got plenty of steep hills and not very smooth trails and it handles it all without any problems. I haul tools, materials, feed, etc. but use the tractor for bigger jobs. I just plug it in every couple of days and check the battery water every now and then and it's always ready to go. No gas, oil, antifreeze - relatively not much to maintain and it's quiet too.

 

[excelagator]

I have a 92 toy 4x4 (that if I ever get around to) put a small flat bed on. Plus bought a "non-running" 89 4runner for $100. Just don't tell the guy I got it running in his driveway! Still cheaper than any used beat-up ATV.

Dan

 

[WarrenF]

You all are like me...."run things cheap and dirty" and when it breaks push it over the cliff. New stuff generally COSTS you money....used stuff makes you money...generally.

 

[AaronP]

I feel like I'm hiding a big secret here...so here it is: Why don't you buy a used Jeep? Take out the back seat (now you have a bed) and you have a UTV that will go more places that most actual UTV's, it pulls more, is street legal and cost very little. I saw a 6 cylinder jeep, 35K miles, 2006 model, with all the fancy crap inside for 10K. 10K is a base price on most UTV's, and this was a decked out jeep. Used for Rangers are good for this purpose as well. Shop around, think outside the box, and when your buddy's in their UTV get stuck, you can go pull them out with your field Jeep. But you won't be in the coll UTV club. Sorry.

 

[N80]

I feel like I'm hiding a big secret here...so here it is: Why don't you buy a used Jeep?

No secret:

Find the oldest most beatup regular cab, regular bed 4wd Toyota pickup and use that. Don't worry about blue smoke, dripping oil, fading brakes or shimmy in the front end. Alternative to that is a rusted out old CJ.

Here is an example. Not a CJ, but you don't find too many Wiileys around anymore....but they can do the job too:

 

[alchemysa]

I was wondering the same thing. I would love to have the new diesel JD gator, but for $13,000, I could have five or more nicely equipped convertable Suzuki Samurais that are heated and street legal.

My Sami is on 31x1050's with F/R diff locks and custom forest pinstriping. It makes a great little hunting/chore rig.

A hardtop is even cheaper, half the price of convertibles. This one, street legal, with air con, was only $1000 when I bought it over here about 5 years ago. You'd probably get one for $500 these days. Just throw on some old 15" F100 wheels and it will go almost anywhere.

 

[schmism]

there was a short blurb in my 4x4 mag about a lot of guys turning to cheep Suzuki's for use as UTV's.