Prices are always increasing on UTV's and there are a lot of options out there. In 2012, when I bought my Mule, I looked at quite a few other models, but really liked the utilitarian and versatile design of the Kawasaki Trans Mule. I also think they are about as good an engine as Honda. It has power steering, fuel injection and a fair suspension when going at a fair rate of speed. Flat out, it's not that great on rough terrain. I paid $8,000 for mine brand new and financed it through the bank they recommended. I think I put $2,000 down and I had a $80 monthly payment for 5 years. I paid it off in two years, but liked the idea of such a low payment if something came up. The top was the hydraulic lift for the bed where about $1,500 more, and I installed both myself. I had a soft plastic removable windshield on it for three years that made a huge different in winter and rainy days, but it's time is over and this year I'm going to buy a hard plastic/glass type windshield for it. I've had it back to the shop for a rough idle, and they fixed it under warrantee even though it was after the warrantee was expired. The dealer said it was a known issue and they where taking care of it regardless of how old it was. If I was buying again, I would start with the Mule, but might step up to the FX Pro. I road in one and it was very impressive!!! More money too, so where I was financially at the time would be the deciding factor. I couldn't imagine living out here without a UTV of some kind. It hauls out the garbage can, gets the mail, hauls stuff to the burn pile, including weeds and feed bags. It's also just fun to go for a drive and look for tracks on the trails, or see what the water did during the last rains. When it snows here, it's way more fun to get around on then walking!!!
