Which brand of used UTV has the Best value / least problems?

[trackman23]

I’m looking for a used UTV due to cost considerations but so far I’m only finding junk listed for sale and there seem to be way too many options out there. Obviously, this is a Kubota forum but I would love some input on which brands of UTVs are durable and worth picking up used. I am planning on using it for all around work in our woods and fields moving material where it won’t make sense to use my MX4800.

thoughts?

thx!

 

[Moose7060]

If I were to buy a used UTV the one thing I would avoid is a machine with a snorkel added to it. Tells me they did or at least were planning on running it through deep water on purpose, essentially using it for play and not work.. low mileage machines and units that look well cared for is an obvious.
I have a Can Am defender XT9 HD and love it, zero issues. Also have owned 6 quads all bought new, 5 Yamaha grizzlies and 1 Honda. No warranty work or recalls on any of them, granted, they are used but not abused. The reason I mentioned the quads is those brands also make UTV's which are also highly respected. When I purchased the last Grizzly I was talking to the service manager at the dealership that sells Yamaha and Polaris. He told me straight out, 9 out of 10 warranty claims and/or repairs were on Polaris units. I know lots on here like their polaris utv/atv's but that info from the service manager always stuck with me. Good luck on your search.

 

[unhdsm]

I have a Polaris that's been mostly trouble free but Can Am's are defiantly built stronger and I'll be looking hard at them if/when I ever need a new one.

 

[Tughill Tom]

Have a look at Craigslist and see what the most listed makes are, mostly Polaris and some of the Chinese brands that's a big clue from what I've seen. I've had 3 Can-am's and they have been bullet proof so far, used for work and play and never abused or sunk in mud.
I do get top dollar for them when I trade them in so they do hold their value.

 

[mikester]

I've heard horror stories all around. I had a Polaris ATV with brake, idle and start issues. I haven't heard a lot of positives on the CanAm reliability in general. I currently have the Kubota Sidekick XG-850 and my only complaint is that it's a major gas guzzler. I had a club car DS that ran for 20 years no problems. Ran forever on a tank of gas. Sold it for more than I paid for it during covid and got the Sidekick as replacement.

On the two wheel side Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki are the most reliable brands. I've always liked my Yammys.

The 10 Most Reliable Motorcycle Companies

Information from more than 11,000 riders was analyzed to find out which major motorcycle manufacturer makes the most reliable motorcycles.

www.motorcycle.com

Who Makes the Most Reliable Motorcycle? - Consumer Reports

What began as a battle of the motorcycle brands, with a decisive ranking to show who makes the most reliable motorcycle, has resulted in a nationalist showdown.

www.consumerreports.org

You need to decide if you want a primarily work machine or zoom zoom. I wish I bought one of those 4WD Japanese mini-trucks with a dump box 20 years ago when they were still cheap.

 

[trackman23]

I've heard horror stories all around. I had a Polaris ATV with brake, idle and start issues. I haven't heard a lot of positives on the CanAm reliability in general. I currently have the Kubota Sidekick XG-850 and my only complaint is that it's a major gas guzzler. I had a club car DS that ran for 20 years no problems. Ran forever on a tank of gas. Sold it for more than I paid for it during covid and got the Sidekick as replacement.

On the two wheel side Yamaha, Honda and Suzuki are the most reliable brands. I've always liked my Yammys.

The 10 Most Reliable Motorcycle Companies

Information from more than 11,000 riders was analyzed to find out which major motorcycle manufacturer makes the most reliable motorcycles.

www.motorcycle.com

Who Makes the Most Reliable Motorcycle? - Consumer Reports

What began as a battle of the motorcycle brands, with a decisive ranking to show who makes the most reliable motorcycle, has resulted in a nationalist showdown.

www.consumerreports.org

You need to decide if you want a primarily work machine or zoom zoom. I wish I bought one of those 4WD Japanese mini-trucks with a dump box 20 years ago when they were still cheap.
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I’ve actually been considering those…still pretty cheap compared to a new UTV but I’ve got sandy loam soils which get soft in winter and spring so I would need a solution for those skinny tires

 

[Code]

Stay away from jd. My dad has one and its been a pain in the ass. Always something

i just went down this rabbithole. I ended up with a yamaha rmax2 wolverine as its for fun and work. One think to note it doesnt have a turf mode so itll chew up grass. Not an issue for me but one thing to consider

 

[85Hokie]

The high bought on of these without doing the research on them first, Polaris ranger 800, the rear end went out almost within the first 5 hours. After I did some research on this model - came to find out IT was am OEM problem- lots and lots of this model had the rear end blow out. And to place another in it was more costly than the machine is worth!!!

As for these guys - I see where many states are banning these to be placed on the roads for safety concerns - they would be perfect for farm use however. Hell I would love to get one myself! I do see them every now and again on mp.

 

[FTG-05]

My RTV-XG850 has been pretty reliable. However, unless they fixed the godawful twitchy throttle pedal, I would never buy one again. Whoever designed it should be drawn and quartered.

 

[D2Cat]

If you're thinking one of those Japanese mini trucks be sure you can fit in one before you get too serious! I was interested in one about 10 years ago when I saw them on display. NO way to scoot the seat back very far, and couldn't get my knees under the steering wheel. Made for short bodies!!!

 

[mikester]

If you're thinking one of those Japanese mini trucks be sure you can fit in one before you get too serious! I was interested in one about 10 years ago when I saw them on display. NO way to scoot the seat back very far, and couldn't get my knees under the steering wheel. Made for short bodies!!!

Sounds like my sidekick. Smash my knees every time getting in or out.

The club car got a 10/10 for operator comfort and ease of access. Even came with 4 drink holders so it was a 4 beer minimum to drive...

 

[JimmyJazz]

The Kawasaki Mule is inexpensive and dependable. Worth considering in my opinion.

 

[papajoe]

I have a RTV-500 and a RTVX-900. Both work hard and have been bu

lletproof.

 

[jyoutz]

Our Kawasaki mule has been very reliable.

 

[NCL4701]

Another vote for the Mule for a work vehicle.

 

[Sidekick]

My RTV X isn't much faster or more fun then a tractor. I would look for something that goes faster then 18 mph that would compliment your tractor.

 

[trackman23]

Thx folks. The mule seems like a better option than the gator just based on condition vs asking price I see on market place. The mini truck still seems cool but might be a pain for my wife and kid to operate with the manny tranny and right hand drive.

 

[mikester]

Don't be afraid to check out the ClubCar Carryall models. I had a 4 seater gas model and I made a flat bed deck and added a ball hitch. They are rated at towing 1,200lbs. I also added a 6" lift kit and 25" mudders. Machine went 49kph no problem.

 

[Oliver]

Mule 610 or SX as they're called now are solid little units for work and just getting around, IF you don't need to go over 20 mph or even that speed on rough terrain. I had a 610 and it was trouble free. Sold it for a Polaris Ranger mid-size and while it went 40mph and rode better I never liked its 4wd system or build quality.
Replaced it with a Mule Pro MX with power steering and am liking this one a lot. Tried a Kubota but it was too jerky where the Pro MX is smooth starting off or say inching up to something. Top speed is 44mph and it has plenty of power. It is made for 2 people but 3 can squeeze on the bench seat. If added width isn't a problem (say if you don't have tight trails) the wider Pro FX series is nice.
Mule's Pro series seem to be in-between a slow basic utility and more performance oriented SXS, so they can go faster and ride much smoother than the older style basic Mules.

 

[Botamon]

My Can-am Defender is closing in on 4000 trouble-free miles. Seems like I'm finding a new use for it every day. And yes, as someone mentioned above, it does have "turf" mode so there is a working differential in the rear. A lot of UTVs (and ATVs) the rear end (diff) is locked so if you turn sharp the inside rear tire is tearing things up as it spins. Plus a locked rear end doesn't let you turn as sharp as the front end has a tendency to plow straight forward. Get one with a cab and you'll use it year round.

But like everything else, the prices have soared in the past 3 years. A new version of the 2020 Can-am I have now costs $10,000 - $15,000 more than what I paid for mine. So good luck on find a "cheap but in good shape" unit!