How many hours is too many hours (or miles)

[woodlandfarms]

Looking to buy a used Side by Side for the farm. I won't be putting a ton of miles on it.

So I am not mechanically inept, and kknow there is a lot more than just hours and miles for a machine to factor in.

Oh, and I am looking at a gas machine.

So with a car, 30K miles is still new, 70 is used, and 120 and above you are probably looking at some repairs to keep it going.

Thoughts on a UTV SXS?

 

[Industrial Toys]

Knowing what I know about the parts and repair costs of these things, I would be extremely careful. It so depends on how it was used, where and by whom? I would only buy an older machine of a brand that has been around a long time.

 

[timswi]

I would look carefully at the condition. Me and my neighbor keep our stuff like new and no one can really tell how much time is on them. We also maintain and don't beat the beegeebers out of our stuff. I'd look underneath carefully and see if the machine was mud bogged or beached on something. Also kept indoors is a huge plus.

Start the machine cold and look for excessive blow-by...Restart hot too. Obvious stuff, drive around and check shifting, steering, brakes and general handling.

Pull the dip-sticks and look for burn marks.

As far as miles/hours on gas..Really don't know but they tend to run nearly forever (with a good drive train) if the fluids are changed. We have a 1994 Craftsman tractor at camp that still runs/cuts like new.

 

[nybirdman]

I traded a Yamaha Rhino with 4,000 miles that was in perfect condition;for another Yamaha(Viking) sidexside.
We have had good luck with the Yamahas,Kawasaki's and also owned Suzuki and Honda atv's.

 

[woodlandfarms]

I guess maybe my question wasn't clear... Let me approach it from another angle.

I would not look at a car with more than 80K miles on it, past experience shows me to be very cautious at this level.

I would not look at a motorcycle with more than 20K miles on it (unless it was a big goldwing).

So what is the level for a UTV when miles are less prevelant than Hours. What is the hours break that puts an engine in the tired category?

 

[JohnBuffaloMN]

I bought my 2012 Toyota Tundra with 130,000 miles on it, and my (90's) Kubota had 1100 hours on it... both looked like new and they were both well maintained. When I go looking for a new (insert whatever here), I look at what others have experienced and factor that in, but more importantly how many problems are posted on the Interweb on sites like this, Edmunds, etc.

What UTV are you considering (then use the Internet search engine of your choice) search for that make/model reviews and problems. It will quickly become clear which machines are more reliable and less costly.

1) consider brand/model
2) consider condition
3) price

Good luck!

 

[ovrszd]

I think there's too much variation in engines/machines to give a difinitive answer.

I have a diesel RTV. Not uncommon to see used ones with 4K hours.

I have a Yamaha Rhino. Complete overhaul at 1000 hrs.

 

[RoyJackson]

I wouldn't worry too much about a diesel UTV with >500 hours. I think the diesel UTV's are more work machines and less likely to have been abused.

My 2012 (or 2013) 855D Gator has just over 100 hours...obviously, I don't use it much. I did use it for snow plowing one winter (just my and my neighbor's drive), otherwise, pretty much light chore work (carrying branches and limbs down to the field...stuff like that.

 

[4570Man]

I almost always prefer to buy used, but this is one time I don’t. Side by sides hold their valve well in my area and anything that’s not ragged out brings near retail. And it’s a piece that almost always gets abused.

 

[yomax4]

Polaris Rangers are King around here and I see them with 6K miles for half of new. With the trail systems these guys are racking up miles pretty quickly. Most side by sides have huge bearings, Bushings and suspension for what they are but the tubing frames can be bent. Most components of the suspension and drive line can be worked on and replaced pretty easily. If I was to buy used it would have to be at about 1500 miles on a Polaris. Not sure on other brands. There are deals out there on carry overs and rebate machines.