I have a 2018 Polaris Range XP 1000 EPS that is used for putting around in the summer and plowing (Boss V-Plow) in the winter. I bought it new when I couldn't find a used one that wasn't trashed. So far it's been reliable, but parts and service are stupid expensive so I've taken to maintaining/repairing it myself.

I test drove a friend's Miata several years ago and getting my 6 foot 200 pound frame in and out was an issue then. I doubt things have improved in the intervening years...

Wife is on board with the Jeep idea, thinking Wrangler or older CJ. It'll be a Summer/Fun ride so top is not an issue. Ride might be but it's not like we'll be driving long distances.

The bad things about older Jeeps are it's hard to find one that's not rusted up, hammered off road, or been "modded" and if you do they're generally way over priced. But assuming the trend continues when you get tired of it in a couple years you'll have resale in your favor.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
I test drove a friend's Miata several years ago and getting my 6 foot 200 pound frame in and out was an issue then. I doubt things have improved in the intervening years...

6 footer....I should have mentioned that !! I'm 5'3" and don't think about those kinds of things very often.

The first time I took my Miata to my mechanic for an initial inspection, he tried to get in and pull it into the garage (of course, he was in a hurry). I had the top up and he got stuck halfway in (6'4")!! After he crawled back out, I had to lower the convertible top, for him to get in. His forehead was above the windshield. He would have caught bugs driving it down the highway !

I have a friend who owns Polaris and Kawasaki dealerships. He has told me more than once that Kawasaki makes a more reliable machine.

I also like Honda as they are the only brand I'm aware of that has an actual transmission. Everybody else is belt driven. FWIW, I also know a Toyota dealer who bought a Honda SxS because of their transmission.

quote:

Originally posted by mike28w:

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:
I test drove a friend's Miata several years ago and getting my 6 foot 200 pound frame in and out was an issue then. I doubt things have improved in the intervening years...

6 footer....I should have mentioned that !! I'm 5'3" and don't think about those kinds of things very often.

The first time I took my Miata to my mechanic for an initial inspection, he tried to get in and pull it into the garage (of course, he was in a hurry). I had the top up and he got stuck halfway in (6'4")!! After he crawled back out, I had to lower the convertible top, for him to get in. His forehead was above the windshield. He would have caught bugs driving it down the highway !

I'm 6' [6'2" in Ariat boots] and never had a problem in a Miata nor my Midget.
I'm more long legged than long torso, but also only 165lbs

I forgot, to mention the Mahindra Willys/Roxor.

https://www.mahindrausa.com/products/roxor/

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:
I have a friend who owns Polaris and Kawasaki dealerships. He has told me more than once that Kawasaki makes a more reliable machine.

I also like Honda as they are the only brand I'm aware of that has an actual transmission. Everybody else is belt driven. FWIW, I also know a Toyota dealer who bought a Honda SxS because of their transmission.

I agree with your friend, my current MULE has been completely trouble free while the Polaris Ranger was let's say "problematic'.

I also have a Honda Pioneer 520 and really prefer the MULE with it's smooth, infinitely variable CVT and high/low ranges over the Honda's 5-speed.

^ I'd agree on the Mule, based on my dad's 3 variants.

I drove mule's in the military and they hold up well to abuse. I've seen them along with the higher end versions built by Kubota, as snow removal rigs for those who use them professionally or have the money to buy quality. I believe they're considerably more expensive than offerings by Polaris and Honda...which is difficult to imagine given the ungodly price tag on Polaris models.

As for older jeeps... I don't think the ride in my YJ is that bad, but I don't speed around in it. Shocks, springs, shackles...there are a lot of things that can be done to CJ's and YJ's to improve the ride and driveability.

If you're mainly planning to cruise local roads, a UTV might not be the best fit, especially if you can't make it street legal in your state. I ran into a similar issue when considering a UTV for light road use, only to realize they weren’t road legal where I live. Ended up looking into registration options to see if there was a workaround.

Montana’s laws actually allow for UTV street legal registration, which is why a lot of people go that route. There are services that help make it happen, like this guide on are UTVs street legal, which breaks down how the process works. You can check it on https://1dollarmontana.com/are-utvs-street-legal/

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mac_220,

Maybe Get yourself a Honda Acty. Many have been imported and are generally able to be registered for the road.

quote:

Originally posted by mac_220:
If you're mainly planning to cruise local roads, a UTV might not be the best fit, especially if you can't make it street legal in your state. <snip>

Precisely why I abandoned that idea. Wound up with a '90 Corvette...

mac_220, read this: The bumping of old threads. If you're a posting member of this forum, you should read this

I suspect your account has been taken over by a bot. The next time you bump an old thread, I'm removing your posting rights.

quote:

Originally posted by PHPaul:

quote:

Originally posted by mac_220:
If you're mainly planning to cruise local roads, a UTV might not be the best fit, especially if you can't make it street legal in your state. <snip>

Precisely why I abandoned that idea. Wound up with a '90 Corvette...

Always figured you'd be a Flat Fender Jeep guy if you had gone that route, Corvette was a great idea for putting around or corner carving in the summer...

It's where I'll go when the time to get off the bike happens...

Holy smokes.

Para called it.

Wild.

Para has like....ESPN or something,

quote:

Originally posted by ridewv:

quote:

Originally posted by BB61:
I have a friend who owns Polaris and Kawasaki dealerships. He has told me more than once that Kawasaki makes a more reliable machine.

I also like Honda as they are the only brand I'm aware of that has an actual transmission. Everybody else is belt driven. FWIW, I also know a Toyota dealer who bought a Honda SxS because of their transmission.

I agree with your friend, my current MULE has been completely trouble free while the Polaris Ranger was let's say "problematic'.

I also have a Honda Pioneer 520 and really prefer the MULE with its smooth, infinitely variable CVT and high/low ranges over the Honda's 5-speed.

We had the Kawasaki Mule at work and those things run forever. They are literally rusting away and still running. If I recall correctly, the first Mule had the parallel twin that was used in the 454 LTD street bike in it.

I have not had to do much except fluid changes and normal maintenance, but I do my own work to my Polaris. Parts have not been bad in price and I have the shop manual.

I did all my own work on my Kawasaki Brute Force that I sold. I practically rebuilt that thing, changed out the rear diff, all new fuel system, all new axles, rebuilt front end, rebuilt/rejetted carbs, valve adjustment, plugs, wires, coils etc.etc. I would never pay to have it done.

I owned a Brute Force for about a year. It’s a beast of a utility ATV. Strike one was the FWD not engaging unless the front wheels roll, two was too much heat blowing off the engine, and three was the three times I had it on its side.
I had to sell it before I hurt myself. I’ve had an indestructible Honda Rubicon since then. Of course I got hurt on the Rubicon anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by jed7s9b:
I owned a Brute Force for about a year. It’s a beast of a utility ATV. Strike one was the FWD not engaging unless the front wheels roll, two was too much heat blowing off the engine, and three was the three times I had it on its side.
I had to sell it before I hurt myself. I’ve had an indestructible Honda Rubicon since then. Of course I got hurt on the Rubicon anyway.

Mine had a relocated radiator (in front of the handle bars) and that did put out some heat. It was nice in the winter but not so much in the summer. A side by side is so much more pleasant to ride. My Brute never got stuck (had Outlaws on it) but I have seen a Polaris 570 go through stuff I never thought capable. The old mules are pretty impressive too.

There are few things as overpriced as are utv/SxS.
You can buy a newer used low mileage 4wd pickup for the cost of some of these things. It is ridiculous for what they are.