I bought a 2014 4Runner instead of a side by side. Less than half price of a Ranger with HVAC and cab. Always wanted one since I drove my aunts as a kid. 120,000 miles and figure it will last me a long time. And I can drive it hunting rather than haul it hunting behind my 250.

Can't understand why more people don't go that route, honestly. I'd buy something like this or an older ext cab 4wd pickup over a Ranger.

Can't understand why more people don't go that route, honestly. I'd buy something like this or an older ext cab 4wd pickup over a Ranger.

Can't understand why more people don't go that route, honestly. I'd buy something like this or an older ext cab 4wd pickup over a Ranger.

Can't understand why more people don't go that route, honestly. I'd buy something like this or an older ext cab 4wd pickup over a Ranger.

Can't understand why more people don't go that route, honestly. I'd buy something like this or an older ext cab 4wd pickup over a Ranger.

"Unless you put one on 44 inch SS TSL’s, no pickup is going to follow my Ranger through the places I go." I'll pass you by and come back to get you out when you get stuck. Done it before.

Plain & simple and you keep your Poalris - if you can't get somewhere in my Taco with 4.10 gears, rear locker, ARB front locker, 3 inch lift, 32 inch 7.50 x 16 Deestones, then you don't need to go there. If mud is the issue, you'll make brutal spots for the next guy or for the next time you go through. Our mud is so sticky, the side bys sides go thirty yards and then have to put it in reverse to get the mud off the ties which clog their space.

I ain't and never will be in no mud course competition - I would do something different if so. My intention is to comfortably & quietly get where I can enjoy the outdoors I appreciate. Btw, my Taco drvies right through three and four foot tall STX heavy brush pretty well. In addition, it did pretty well in far West Texas and especially those dang inclines. Think cabro or burro.

Where is the line drawn between expensive play toy/hobby or competition vehicle and functional tool/truck?

Because there is NO substitute for 24-26” of suspension travel. it’s not even close, the suspension travel ability on a UTV and overall footprint/impact can’t be matched by any vehicle

I’m not a big fan of SxS’s for a variety of reasons but there is no doubting the platform.

One did just win the King of the Hammers for the first time. Yeah it wasn’t a stock Can Am but it beat full size ultra 4 rigs costing well in excess of 250k

I don’t know but this thread took a hard right turn from its original intention

Where is the line drawn between expensive play toy/hobby or competition vehicle and functional tool/truck?

As Red implied, it’s not one size fits all.
No sxs does what I use mine for.
But as been said, this thread took a turn.

Where is the line drawn between expensive play toy/hobby or competition vehicle and functional tool/truck?

When I was growing up, the square-heads in Gillespie County drove 2WD pickups with "mudgrips" on the back. 4WD was exceedingly rare. They spent a lot of time off-road in mud and sheep dip.