We are looking for a vehicle to use very sparingly at our family's house on the Frio River. We have about 200 yard of river rock terrain that we have always hiked between the house and river to swim. With 3 kids aging form 6yr to 10 months its gotten to be quite difficult with kids needing to be carried, tubes, ice chests, chairs, etc.

So we wanting we can pile the family in, load up out stuff for the river, and to generally cruise around in.

What are you all's thoughts if I am trying to get away with around $15k?

Can_Am Defender Max 7
Polaris Ranger Crew Xp 900

I initially leaned Kawasaki but it looks like you are at least looking at $17k before TTL

I have a 2014 Polaris 900 crew. Been dependable. Bought a second 2021 100 crew.

I have the 900.
It's been great. Used on farm and for hunting.
The 800s had cooling issues but that was fixed in the 900.

I doubt you'll be able to get into a CanAm for that price but maybe you can with that specific model. You can probably get into a 570 or maybe even a 1000 (non XP) crew model for close to that.

If you're willing to drive, you can call shoals outdoor sports in Alabama and they'll beat everyone in the country with their Polaris pricing. I paid a little over your budget for a 1000XP crew in 2020. It was a 14 Hr drive but I saved about $3800 after expenses were factored in.

I use a Polaris Ranger at work. It's been very beat up over the year before I got it. Over the last several years, I've crawled it across some extremely rugged terrain, the likes of which don't exist in Texas. It's been a solid performer. I've also used an Arctic Cat Prowler in some absolutely ridiculous terrain and it impressed me, also. For what you're needing, those brands will last you a lifetime.

I've enjoyed the Honda utvs at work as well. But they may be more expensive.

Find a used Honda pioneer. 5 seater or 4 seater. Only 200 yards. One trip with gear. One trip with people. Will last forever.

We had two Polaris Rangers at the ranch for around 3-4 years. Used them for ranch work everyday. They about broke us in constant repairs. Dealer told us they were not meant to be worked like that. His words were " they are recreational vehicles not work vehicles. Polaris customer service was a joke as well.
Sold them and bought a Can Am. Then another, then another. Have had them for 4 years and use them just like we did the Polaris's. All we have done is regular maintenance and change tires. Have not spent a dime on them. No comparison to Polaris in that ranch work environment.

Family ranch just bought a new Ranger 570 fullsize crew, metal roof, sliding glass windshield, $17,500. It's an addition to our 2016 570 single seat fullsize, which has 5200+ miles on it, exclusively ranch work, one front axle, plus rear shocks, the only needed maintenance (repairs done by us).
The 570 makes 43hp, does everything we need. Only real gripe is their shifter/gear selector sucks, but obviously manageable.
So every brand seems good.....and bad, sorta like trucks from GM, Ford, Toyota, and that other brand...

I'd go for a Polaris 570 crew. I have the 1000 crew and the only time I've used its full potential power was when I purposefully took it out in the public road to see how fast it would go.

Kawasaki mule is great too.

Find something gently used. You will get a considerable discount. I went shopping at the local dealer and everything they had listed at the 15-20k range when you look at it had dealer upgrades which bumped the price up to 25-30k. I found a used Polaris 570 crew (around 100 hours on it) on Facebook marketplace for <10k.

If you are just looking for something to make short trips, I would look at getting a golf cart. There is virtually no maintenance to them. They are very dependable, trouble-free, easy to drive and you don't have to haul gasoline. They can be easily modified to handle steep terrain, etc. and cost much less than UTV.

If you really want a UTV, look for the best Mule you can afford. They are the best, most reliable UTV on the market.

jrichgent said:

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We are looking for a vehicle to use very sparingly at our family's house on the Frio River. We have about 200 yard of river rock terrain that we have always hiked between the house and river to swim. With 3 kids aging form 6yr to 10 months its gotten to be quite difficult with kids needing to be carried, tubes, ice chests, chairs, etc.

So we wanting we can pile the family in, load up out stuff for the river, and to generally cruise around in.

What are you all's thoughts if I am trying to get away with around $15k?

Can_Am Defender Max 7
Polaris Ranger Crew Xp 900

I initially leaned Kawasaki but it looks like you are at least looking at $17k before TTL

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you all's = y'all's

ghollow said:

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If you are just looking for something to make short trips, I would look at getting a golf cart. Their is virtually no maintenance to them. They are very dependable, trouble-free, easy to drive and you don't have to haul gasoline. They can be easily modified to handle steep terrain, etc. and cost much less than UTV.

If you really want a UTV, look for the best Mule you can afford. They are the best, most reliable UTV on the market.

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Probably the best advice assuming an electric golf cart can handle the terrain.

tell the kids to pull their own weight.....you got a cooler to worry about!!

ghollow said:

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If you are just looking for something to make short trips, I would look at getting a golf cart. There is virtually no maintenance to them. They are very dependable, trouble-free, easy to drive and you don't have to haul gasoline. They can be easily modified to handle steep terrain, etc. and cost much less than UTV.

If you really want a UTV, look for the best Mule you can afford. They are the best, most reliable UTV on the market.

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I would second this but I will advise that they're not trouble free. I had to replace the motor and bearings on my Yamaha. The good thing about an electric motor is it took me a night to do it where as an engine would probably take me a couple of days. Replacing batteries every 3-5 years is also pricey. Around $1000.

All that said if you're making trips that a 2 wheel cart can make then that's the way.

Thanks y'all, appreciate the input.

Its looking like I'm going with 2023 Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT LE. Out the door and delivered (145 miles) for 5k more that I was looking at, but I'll take it.

jrichgent said:

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Thanks y'all, appreciate the input.

Its looking like I'm going with 2023 Kawasaki Mule Pro FXT LE. Out the door and delivered (145 miles) for 5k more that I was looking at, but I'll take it.

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Solid choice!

Good looking vehicle.

Is there any way to take the doors off?

ConfidentAg said:

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Good looking vehicle.

Is there any way to take the doors off?

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You can remove them but I think the hinges will stick out. Personally, part of the reason I went with this was because of the doors. I have a 6 and 3 old riding back there.

Doors will help with the dust too! I'm not sure on the configuration of the mules as I think the back seat lays down? But if you can put a half windshield on the front and a full back glass then that will help keep the dust out as well.

I have a Viking. It has a lot of room to sit
Also have a ranger

Any of them will do what you want

If you want a workhorse go with mule or kubota

I have a Yamaha RMax 1000 XT-R, both the ATV and Side by side. I absolutely love those things!

Did you look at the 4010 Mule? It is probably 30% less in price than the model you posted.

I have a 2020 Rancher and I absolutely love it. You will not regret picking the Kawasaki!!