Buyer's Remorse / Insights?

[ovrszd]

I'm a fan of thumpers (I have a Yamaha SRX600 and a Husky SM510R--both are track toys), but not when they are as noisy as the Viking application.

And let's face it, even though the vibration goes away off idle, the Yamaha rattles at idle. Not exactly what I want for tooling around my campground doing chores.

That said, I like the direction Yamaha is going with the Viking, but I'd like to see a sophomore effort.

Yep, that was my point before. A UTV is used 90% of the time at idle or just off idle. Both terrible places to be with a large displacement single lunger.

 

[Teachu2]

I was curious how many current UTV owners, based on what you know now, how you've used your UTV to date, based on what was also available at the time of your purchase, based on how much you had to spend, would have gone a different route and why?

UTV Purchased - Model, Manufacturer, Model Year

Purchased New or Used

Yes Would Purchase Again Favorite Features

No, Would Not Purchase Again Would purchase Manufacturer, Model, Year instead because of X, Y, Z reasons

Wildcat4 from Arctic Cat, 2014 model. Bought new in November. This was the wife's impulse purchase - oldest son was buying one, and she thought it would be fun to spend time with the kids and grandkids. Son's boss had purchased one with all the goodies, son bought a 4X (more power and bumpers), we bought the base model. First trip was to the beach - wife HATED it, as the beach full of ATVs, UTVs, and 4x4 pickups terrified her. Second trip was to the desert, where we putted around, ate dust, and discovered we could go the same places in either of our daily drivers. Around our property, the long wheelbase made it a difficult drive, as the turning radius is huge. We decided to cut our losses, and sold it for far less than we paid (but far more than it was worth to us!).

It had an initial defect (A-arm in front scraped shock/spring) which was covered under warranty. These are known for breaking drive belts, so we carried a spare - but in the 82 miles we put on it, it didn't break. Others have not been so lucky. No way I'd buy one again. Neither would our son, nor his boss. The Razor equivalent is much more dependable, with a better build quality as well, and a higher price tag.

This purchase was a mistake of every level. Had we rented one at the beach, we wouldn't have purchased one at all. Had we done research into them, we would not have purchased THAT one. Buyer's remorse? Yep - but it's my own fault. Once we came to grips with our mistake, we took our loss - it certainly wasn't going to be worth more next year. Got cash, garage space, and moved on.

OTOH, we're both happy as can be with the Kioti. Did the research, bought the right one, and it has (so far) exceeded our expectations in every way.

 

[ovrszd]

UTVs tend to be a "fad" purchase. Everyone has one so I want one too. I have a Rhino. I've let friends drive it several times so they could experience a UTV without monetary obligation. About 50% have lost interest in the purchase after driving one. Some people love the experience. Some people hate it. Nice to know that before signing the papers.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

UTVs tend to be a "fad" purchase. Everyone has one so I want one too. I have a Rhino. I've let friends drive it several times so they could experience a UTV without monetary obligation. About 50% have lost interest in the purchase after driving one. Some people love the experience. Some people hate it. Nice to know that before signing the papers.

I became interested in UTVs when my local muni electrical engineer showed up with a Ranger with a cab and heater and tracks to buzz around my property and map out where the electrical service could go.

I would want to put tires that are a little better on pavement on since I would also use it to buzz into town on errands rather than my truck.

And something I didn't expect: since I brought my mother with me to look at UTVs on the promise of buying her diner last week, she really wants one because then she can finally come out and see what we're doing in the woods (my mum will be 89 years old next month, God willing).

 

[ovrszd]

Yep, see a lot of them on the hiways and backroads here. Law looks the other way as long as you aren't hotrodding around. If it's for farm use, it's "legal" here. All the law personnel know me here and they just wave when I meet them. But I'm not out at night and my UTV won't run fast enough to speed so I look like the perfect "old man" putzing around the community.

Congrats to your Mom and her keeping up with society. My Mom turns 94 1 June. I'd hafta knock her out to get her in a UTV.

 

[RollingsFarms]

My mom is 71 and easily can get into my Ranger with no trouble at all. The great thing about the Ranger is the ride is very smooth so as to not beat her up when I drive her around the farm.

 

[Xfaxman]

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And something I didn't expect: since I brought my mother with me to look at UTVs on the promise of buying her diner last week, she really wants one because then she can finally come out and see what we're doing in the woods (my mum will be 89 years old next month, God willing).

Have her test drive a New Holland Rustler or Club Car XRT 1550 (same machine), one lever for forward, neutral, reverse. 4WD and locking differentials is automatic.

Utility-Vehicles New Holland Rustler-Utility-Vehicles - Models, technical data and characteristics

http://www.clubcar.com/us/en/personal/utility-4x4/xrt1550.html

 

[Industrial Toys]

I suspect the the Buyers Remorse will ony kick in after these machines are older and require parts and service. Then you had better be sitting down!

I have a Diesel Mule, very much used, but am looking to get an Electric Gator as well. There are too many times when the Mule is fought over, as I use it as a support vehicle when using OTHER machines, and there are too many times when the Mule is used for very stop and go duty.

Plus, there are times when I just want silence.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

UTVs tend to be a "fad" purchase. Everyone has one so I want one too.

I don't quite know how to feel about that claim ....

I think almost anyone criss-crossing their pastures in a full size truck on a regular basis would readily appreciate a UTV. They carry/pull almost anything you need. They are more economical than larger vehicles and do less ground damage. And, they are MUCH easier to get in/out dozens of times in an afternoon. I can't imagine being without one.

Looking at the Artic Wildcat that was mentioned. THAT ONE may indeed be a "fad" purchase - mostly for fun? A working UTV is something different.

 

[weathda]

In January I purchased a 2015 Polaris Ranger XP900. Had no UTV experience prior to buying other than riding in a friend's Honda Pioneer exploring his hilly property. I wanted one before riding in my friends, but dismissed UTVs in general because of the many hills I have. Just figured it would be too unstable to be used on much of the land. Boy was I wrong. Loved the potential I saw in my friend's UTV and so I started the research phase on many models.

Test drove the Ranger 900 and was sold. It's been a great unit. Have had no problems. It really has too much power for me. The 500 would've probably been suitable.

I use it for work and play. It's come in handy for a number of chores I'd never thought about doing. It will go places I never thought a vehicle could go. It's been really stable on the hills. I've seen parts of my property I don't get to see often unless I gear up for some serious hiking. It's been great for checking fences and property boundaries.

The drive train is my biggest complaint. I don't like how the clutch engages, it's jerky on take off even if I feather it. The lack of down-hill braking (free-wheeling) isn't so much annoying on hills as it is when you get to the bottom at speed, give it gas and the clutch re-engages - 'bout sends you through the windshield. The brakes on the unit are plenty fine for holding it back on a big downhill slope. I think both of these issues could be fixed with an after-market clutch, but I refuse to lay down the cash for that right now. It's fine for what I do with it. Yes, I would buy it again.