We saw a lot full of different brands on a recent trip in Idaho and stopped to look. This new ranger was nice but I just can't imagine the price of it. Crazy to think they actually sell for that much.

Gonna get opinions from all over the map on this one. I have a 2017 900xp ranger that has been amazing with the only 'issue' being needing new cv joints this past year. Its easy enough to work on for regular maintenance and modifications are endless.

With that said, We have 4 Mules and 2 Can Ams at the plants I manage. Both are great machines and I would not hesitate to buy any of them. If I had to choose, I would go with the Mule, then Polaris, then Can Am.

This is the Mule I purchased about 6 months ago. Seriously nice. Quite fast. I've owned two Polaris Rangers and they were fine. Polaris service in Bryan soured me on buying a new one.
Purchased my Mule from Madisonville Kawasaki and they have been great. Taking it in today for them to install a Golight Stryker spotlight on a new roof.

I currently own an RZR that i bought new in 2014. It has been great. Never had any issues that i couldnt fix myself. It is a blast to drive and can take a beating. But i can't bring myself to pay for current prices.

My next is likely a Roxor. Essentially an ugly Jeep Willy with diesel motor. Can get parts to make it street legal and register it in Montana. With reciprocity it should be ok for most roads.

I have had a Mule Pro FXT since 2016. It's been a great rig. It's not the fastest, but plenty fast for what I need. It's been 100% reliable and would buy another one if I needed one.

Good lord that price tag. no. just no.

Not much experience here but I've rented one and then done a guided tour in the mountains with the family. I'll tell you what I was told by our guide, who drives and maintains several brands/models(can am, honda pioneers, kawasaki teryx, and polaris rangers are what I saw).

The Hondas were the most reliable but rode rough(he suspected the rough ride probably made the suspension last longer). They're whole outfit prefers the ride of the Can-Ams, and he said that's what he'd buy for himself.

Dang, thought this was a scattergun thread.

I've got a 12 diesel Polaris Ranger Crew that's been pretty much bulletproof after over 6000 hours. Cost me all of $12k off the lot.
Bought a Kubota diesel last year for about $16k . They are the convertible second row seats, or more bed space. Probably the slowest on the market but that was plan as I have a 25 yo nephew that means well but hard on equipment.

Prices are insane on those things these days. Best of luck.

I'm surprised the Honda Pioneer isn't on your list. The Pioneer has a shiftable transmission and not a CVT - for that reason it's the one I always buy

I don't make recommendations anymore because nothing new seems to be built as well as they used to be.

2005 Ranger. She maybe fugly by today's standards, but she still gets the job done! Tough as nails.

Mas89 said:

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We saw a lot full of different brands on a recent trip in Idaho and stopped to look. This new ranger was nice but I just can't imagine the price of it. Crazy to think they actually sell for that much.

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Taking a SxS and doing everything you can to turn it into a Jeep is dumb and defeats the purpose of a SxS in the first place IMO.

Or buy a brand new Jeep Wrangler and keep $13k in your pocket.

Just silly.

We do custom roofs, high seats, bumpers etc on new Polaris, can-am etc. this is Polaris we just finished.

Feel free to reach out if this is something you'd be interested in.

normaleagle05 said:

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Or buy a brand new Jeep Wrangler and keep $13k in your pocket.

Just silly.

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I'm pretty amazed why more people don't look at used wranglers for 7.5-15k and even if you need to tinker and dump a little money into them, you save tens of thousands of dollars vs. the cost of a new (or even used) side by side.

I know there are pros/cons/differences between side by sides and jeeps depending on wants/needs, so not implying a used jeep would suit OP's needs or anyone else's directly. Just a general observation considering the cost of SxS's these days.

Side by sides always illicit some very strong opinions. Most of that is anecdotal and based on a negative experience but very rarely are the facts truly shared as to the why.

The main thing to note is how is the UTV being used? I duck hunt with guys that have mules, CanAms, and Rangers (the one guy I duck hunted with a Honda doesn't duck hunt anymore because he's too cool - you know who you are).

Every single one of those models have issues if you're a dumbass and drive your machine like you're in the blitzkrieg on the way to the duck blind. Throwing 6" portals and 33-34" tires on your machine also causes things to break…
Both mechanically and because the driver now thinks their machine is unstoppable.

It also depends on how well you clean the machine after using it. Mud caked on the frame and bushings rusts stuff out and leads to premature failure. The guys that keep buggies clean are usually the ones with less problems.

On the deer lease, I prefer the ride of a ranger or canam. The mule is a good option but the lack of bed space is a non starter for me. Too often are we hauling 15 bags of feed or a feeder, or a bunch of crap that you cannot really haul in the mule bed without adjusting the back seat for more bed space. Aside from that issue, the mule is a great option for ranch like conditions.

The new rangers have steel belts which is a big improvement. Although for as much as people have problems with them, I haven't had any issues with mine in 4 years… I think/lnow a lot of people with issues on their belts don't know how to properly utilize the L gear, especially with lift kits and bigger tires. The canams are solid machines but they come with a premium. The mules are great machines but have a slight limitation, in my opinion, on bed space.

Rangers are also the jeeps of UTVs and aftermarket parts, accessories, and videos to help with installation are much more readily available. I think that is appealing for a lot of folks.


TLDR; Your UTV is a machine not a tank. Take care of it, be smart, and try not to best the crap out of it and you should be fine. Canam is most expensive, followed by Ranger, and then mule. I don't think you can wrong with any of those.

Good luck!

Those are badass but I cannot imagine having a truck payment for a side by side!