My grandson has decided we need a UTV for hunting and play but mostly hunting.
What say you guys on a good one without going to far overboard price wise? Anyone's to stay away from?

Single or crew?

CJ-7

Polaris ranger, from all the ones I've been in Polaris is pretty superior

Polaris Ranger, Kawasaki Mule FTX, Honda Big Red or the Mihindra are the four I would look at.

Have been loyal and happy with my Rangers, mainly for the smooth ride...
But check out Navasot's UTV's at J5 Tractors...That Diesel unit is a Smooth machine and new warranty is pretty outstanding


http://www.j5tractors.com/

I've always been a Ranger fan. I just bought another a few months ago. But, I came REALLY close to going with a Honda Pioneer. I think that's a good machine also.

I did too. I was looking at the 1000 but no one had the color I wanted so I had to wait 3 months. While doing some studying I started reading of clutch issues on these models, enough to scare me away. I bought the Pioneer 900 instead. Great machine.

To touch on the clutch issues on a lot of the high speed UTVs youll see plenty that get bad reviews for the clutch issues. But most not all are because of the ones buying these to put around on and doing so in high range and that chance doubles when just putting around with a load. .. the clutch even in a ranger is not made to work low speeds continuous in high range.

I've got a Kubota RTV I've been happy with. It's slow and rides rough but it'll pull anything and low maintenance.

Can am commander, get the 1000 xt , there is a camo model and will run 70Mph when ya want to have fun.
When I bought maverick I could have got loaded xt in camo for 15k ish.

Yeah Navasot I think you're right. I also think that a lot of the issues are also caused by the new owner not reading the manual and treating these things like automobiles which they are not.

I wrote about the Pioneer 1000 that uses a dual clutch, but doesn't have a torque converter like the Honda 700's do (or so I have read). If it did, I would have waited the 3 months.

I'm not an owner yet, but I've been test driving and doing research. For the money the Honda pioneer 700 is probably the best deal.(Honda no longer makes he big red) the only knock on the pioneer is at elevation it has issues. I test drove a ranger 900 and it was nice but it has belt issues. You will notice the belt drive at slow speeds in reverse. It was quick though! My personal favorite at around $2000 more than the pioneer is the Yamaha Viking. They are setup nice and have lots of room.
The New mules are kinda ugly, and slow, but from what I understand they are tough, and have a 3 YEAR warranty.
As a said I like the Viking, but my pocket book says get a pioneer. I just don't trust Rangers. I'm not loyal to any make, I'm just looking at what Gets me the most for my money.

How fast you looking to go on a UTV? The Mule FTX goes as fast as I want off road. I have the Teryx4 and have only had it in high range 3 times, low range will do 35

I don't know how fast? I'm still trying to figure that out. I will say that the ranger 900 was fast enough!!

My main concern is not speed on the lease, but if I take it out on trails etc. I know that I will want the extra power and speed to play.

Again this is why I haven't purchased one yet, I'm still trying to figure out what I want exactly.

Bigpig I will agree for a hunting lease only rig the Mule is very good.

Look into the Yamaha Viking. I love mine and have 2 buddies with them and they put there's through everything. A lot more comfort than the ranger and more speed. Still has the big utility bed for work and hauling

I just bought a Pioneer 700-4 and love it. IMO it drives a lot better than a Ranger and rides significantly better. A friend of mine blew his Ranger 900 up due dirt getting in the motor. Not his fault and Polaris opted to not cover it under warranty. That would be enough for me to bail on a Ranger. I did not look at a Viking but I've heard good things. Can-Am is good but pricey. I was not a fan of the Mule because it is quite a bit heavier but I do think they are reliable.
But like I said I love my Honda.

I narrowed my choices down to the Viking and the Honda Pioneer 700-4 and the historical reliability and versatility of the pop up rear seats of the Pioneer 700-4 with its shorter wheel base won me over.
The altitude issue has been addressed in new models with the addition of an O2 sensor.
Loaded with accessories, over sized tires and 2 big guys and mine will run 42 mph which on my lease is plenty fast.
I do recommend the bed liner as it will keep stuff from getting the rear seats nasty. I didn't fasten mine in so its easy to remove and it stays put just fine without be fastened in the bed.

We've had 3 rangers and 2 mules. The new FXT's are just as fast as the Rangers but more reliable. If it were up solely to me, all of them would be mules.

Thanks guys for all the info and recommendations.
For our needs we have settled on a Mule.
Thanks again

If you don't mind me asking, what made you decide on the mule?
Good choice by the way...it has the best warranty.

Sure.....the warranty had a lot to do with it for me. But what really sealed the deal on a Mule is because grandson liked it the most.

Traded my Polaris Ranger back in 2012 for the Can Am Commander! I have thoroughly enjoyed it and have used the heck out of it. Planting food plots, hauling feed, and of course hauling deer!

I have a Pioneer 700-2 and I wouldn't trade it for any other machine out there. Ive owned it 2 months and cant say enough good about it.

Whats the warranty on the mule? Congrats on the new ride!