Side by Sides/UTVs??


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I am going to start researching as I'd like to get a side by side/ UTV type of vehicle within the next 6-12 months. I was going to get an ATV but the number of patients I take care of after having flipped or had an accident with their ATV, I've decided I'd rather go the other way like Ranger/Gator, etc....

So what are you guys driving and what do you like/don't like? What I'd be using mine for is work around home, like maybe hauling dirt/manure, farm stuff, eventually probably pulling equipment for small food plots, and most likely going through the woods on trails and what not, hauling deer, or going for some evening rides around home.

Anything I need to know about purchasing? I'm assuming like cars, it needs to be registered?

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you should decide if you're going to do more recreational riding or work and that will help you decide. your top recreational UTVs that are sportier are your Cam-Am and Polaris Razor. Yamaha Rhino is mostly recreational but some work. then Polaris Ranger and John Deere XUV Gators are geared more toward work but still decent for recreation with decent enough ground clearance. the kubota diesel utv is the ultimate work utv and you'll save lots on fuel costs. my uncle has one. they're expensive though as with the Cam-Am, Razor, and some Gators ($13,000+).

you need a 4x4 and a winch. alloy wheels and graphics are nice but you don't need them. options you should put money into are skidplate type of stuff to protect underneath. snow plows are a common accessory up here. Not sure if any come without one but Reese style receiver hitches are good opposed to a simple one piece hitch sticking out with a vertical pin hole.

don't pull ground engaging equipment with it too much but my dad's Gator 550 isn't bad and rides really nice. low range gives it some grunt but it still doesn't get up and go in high range like i'd think it should.

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Thanks db! Yeah I have been comparing the costs and what not...The JD Gator 625i is one that really has me interested....and for the price with a bunch of accessories, it's about the same as a Ranger without.

I stopped at a JD dealer today and got some info but could not speak to anyone, they were not busy and I was totally ignored along with my family member, this is not the first time, so they lost a customer.

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I stopped at a JD dealer today and got some info but could not speak to anyone, they were not busy and I was totally ignored along with my family member, this is not the first time, so they lost a customer.

Sounds like the JD dealers down here (good chance they are ALL owned by the same outfit). That's why all our new tractors are Kubota.

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I sent JD and also the store manager an email about it. The manger replied back with an apologizing email, haven't heard from JD. Anyhow same store manager has been quick to reply with quotes on the gator. Requested quotes from a couple other stores, have not heard back from them yet.

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Guess the jd issues are not just around here. Really honestly think their stuff is maybe just a little over rated and over priced for what it is. Figured their side by sides might be good for what Ruth was looking for though.

Had to get some parts for my little kubota tractor this morning, if I had the money for the utv I saw this morning at the dealership I would have bought it. Diesel, cab, dump bed, ext aux hydraulics. Thing is loaded with more options than my truck.

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Had to get some parts for my little kubota tractor this morning, if I had the money for the utv I saw this morning at the dealership I would have bought it. Diesel, cab, dump bed, ext aux hydraulics. Thing is loaded with more options than my truck.

Yeah. But it's nuts what they ask for those things. You can probably buy a compact work truck (Colorado, Tacoma, Ranger) for the price of a Kubota Grand Cab.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Drove a Gator XUB 825i briefly today in the pouring rain...then stopped on the way home and drove a Polaris Ranger 900, 800, and 500. The 500 felt like a rattle box compared to the 800 and 900. Really like the adjustable driver seat on the 900 LE, power steering is also nice.Anymore input? Will probably drive them again at some point....basically down to Gator or Ranger....

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Yeah, the JD gator with the accessories I wanted, minus power steering, was quoted at $15,000, yikers.

Don't be afraid to haggle with them Ruth with whichever you go with. If new model years are coming in and you are looking at a current, usually you can talk dealerships down on that point.

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They will usually quote you the full retail price Ruth. Don't ever offer to pay full retail. If at all possible it helps to know what you are buying as well as the salesman. Do some research and find out fair prices in your area and figure out what you are willing to pay based on that information. Shop around with multiple dealers and find out what their bottom line is on the model you want, the more you know the better. Make an offer less than what you are able and willing to pay with knowing they will say they cannot do that. Salesman will act like you are cutting them deep and they are loosing money when they come back with their counter and their counter is usually still not the best deal you can get. Don't fall for the games played by some salesman. Don't be afraid to walk out the door of the dealership if you don't think you are getting a fair deal, chances are if your offer is in the ballpark the salesman will follow you to the door and try to get you back in to work out a deal. Sometimes even after you walk away they will later call you and try to work out a "better" deal.

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