My wife wants to get a UTV. Of course I would like a 2 seat style, but she has plans to take the kids on rides when they get a bit older. Are the 4 seat models still fun? or is the wheelbase too long? My father has a Pioneer 700 and we have spent time in a Commander 800, I would like more performance then both of these models. Is there anything out there that fits the description that I can get for around $15000? I would just go for a RZR 1000 but spending that much might take the fun out of it! Thanks for any recommendations!
4 seater SXS?
- Thread starter chunk06
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I have rented a Commander Max with the family (kids are 5 and 8) a couple times, we always have a blast. We have used a booster seat for the 5 year old so she can see better and to get her in a better position with the seat belt. If you are just using the machine on the trails up north the length does not pose an issue and is certainly fun. With the kids and wife in there I really question if you will want more performance than what something like a Commander offers. Many of the trails are tight enough or rutted up enough that high speed runs are not really an option especially with the kids bouncing around back there. Before sinking the money into one go rent something like a Commander Max and see how the kids like it. Timberline Sports rents them in Bergland.
I just bought a Defender, more utility than sport but I need the utility portion around my home and based on the riding I have done up north it will be a fun machine on the trails if it is just me and a buddy or one or 2 of the kids. I did not go with the Defender Max because the longer wheel base would make maneuvering around home too difficult. We will continue to rent a Commander Max if all 4 of us are up north and want to ride.
I just bought a Defender, more utility than sport but I need the utility portion around my home and based on the riding I have done up north it will be a fun machine on the trails if it is just me and a buddy or one or 2 of the kids. I did not go with the Defender Max because the longer wheel base would make maneuvering around home too difficult. We will continue to rent a Commander Max if all 4 of us are up north and want to ride.
Go Fast or Go Home
Active member
scott_b pretty much nailed it.
I purchased a Can Am Maverick 1000 XRS four seater and put several options on it for $20,000. I'm sure you can get a good used one for $15,000 or less.
The Commander Max would be a good fit for your family as well, however if you are looking for one that will be good for work around the house as well as trail riding I would lean more to a utility type.
Several of my friends have the RZR's both two and four seaters and seem to like them.
Don~
I purchased a Can Am Maverick 1000 XRS four seater and put several options on it for $20,000. I'm sure you can get a good used one for $15,000 or less.
The Commander Max would be a good fit for your family as well, however if you are looking for one that will be good for work around the house as well as trail riding I would lean more to a utility type.
Several of my friends have the RZR's both two and four seaters and seem to like them.
Don~
srt20
Active member
Yeah I have a RZR 4 seater. There is no trail I have been on that the wheelbase is an issue. In fact, the longer wheelbase of the 4 seaters is better than the 2 seaters because the ride is so much better. I used to own a 2 seat before the 4 seat. They handle bumps better, they track straighter, and they fly straighter.
Of course stock for stock, the 4 seats are slightly slower than the same model 2 seat, but that can easily be made up....lol.
My kids are 5 and 3 and they handle the trails just fine. I use a super light weight bicycle helmet on them and cheap walmart carseats for them. And of course I don't drive like ricky racer when they are with. The kids love it. Though the youngest falls asleep often...haha
btw, any of the Polaris 900 and 1000 models, along with the Can Am 1000 models will have more power than what you rode. Im not a fan of the Commander rear suspensions. Its good for work, but not the best for trail riding. The Maverick is much better, along with the RZR suspensions. But I only use mine for play, no work.
You can get new RZR 900 4 seaters for $16,200. I think the 1000 is $2k or so more. IDK how much the Maverick Max costs anymore.
Of course stock for stock, the 4 seats are slightly slower than the same model 2 seat, but that can easily be made up....lol.
My kids are 5 and 3 and they handle the trails just fine. I use a super light weight bicycle helmet on them and cheap walmart carseats for them. And of course I don't drive like ricky racer when they are with. The kids love it. Though the youngest falls asleep often...haha
btw, any of the Polaris 900 and 1000 models, along with the Can Am 1000 models will have more power than what you rode. Im not a fan of the Commander rear suspensions. Its good for work, but not the best for trail riding. The Maverick is much better, along with the RZR suspensions. But I only use mine for play, no work.
You can get new RZR 900 4 seaters for $16,200. I think the 1000 is $2k or so more. IDK how much the Maverick Max costs anymore.
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ok I just want to add this, adn sorry NOT trying to hurt anyone feelings here
but 20 K for a UTV> is nuts IMO< can buy a jeep and be legal all over!
next, 4 seater UTV,m s to me seem like they have terrible break over angles and ability's, the bottom of the doors,rocker panels are SO low, in my area you would be hung up all over the place, I spent ton of yrs off roading, and lifting trucks and building off road trucks, and the whole point of things was to get higher ground clearance, so as rutting trails and such happen, you don;t get stuck on the body of your vehicle getting high centered
I guess there GREAT machine for driving on gravel like trails and smooth roads
but I honestly cannot see them going many places due to that low break over and ground clearance at the doors
that or your going to be beating the heck out of it dragging them off rocks and ruts??
ME< again, for 20 K, I'd buy a nice used jeep? and then the sky is the limit on what you can do to it!
sure it WON"T ride as smooth on nice trails, but, 50-150k miles of life as to??
food for thought and again NOT trying to bash, just saying what I see on them!
but 20 K for a UTV> is nuts IMO< can buy a jeep and be legal all over!
next, 4 seater UTV,m s to me seem like they have terrible break over angles and ability's, the bottom of the doors,rocker panels are SO low, in my area you would be hung up all over the place, I spent ton of yrs off roading, and lifting trucks and building off road trucks, and the whole point of things was to get higher ground clearance, so as rutting trails and such happen, you don;t get stuck on the body of your vehicle getting high centered
I guess there GREAT machine for driving on gravel like trails and smooth roads
but I honestly cannot see them going many places due to that low break over and ground clearance at the doors
that or your going to be beating the heck out of it dragging them off rocks and ruts??
ME< again, for 20 K, I'd buy a nice used jeep? and then the sky is the limit on what you can do to it!
sure it WON"T ride as smooth on nice trails, but, 50-150k miles of life as to??
food for thought and again NOT trying to bash, just saying what I see on them!
But you cant take jeeps on most northwoods trail systems. Maybe some in u.p. Not really in wisconsin. Seems like many sxs owners are also sledders and enjoy getting out on trails in summer also. My 4 seater did have problems dragging bottom stock but after a 2.5 lift and bigger tires not much of an issue anymore. I was unsure about a crew when buying but really like it after owning for a couple years. I needed room for the kids and wife. Plus its great with a few buddies and our slow field rides/ booze cruise
Thanks for the replies so far. I want the extra performance when I'm by myself, otherwise a utility would work well with the kids. A Jeep would be great, but the sad truth is that they are pretty much useless in WI. If I lived in or near a state with jeep trails or parks it would be the way to go. The performance SXS are a whole different deal then a jeep, more of dune buggy/baja type thing.
EXCESSIVE FORCE
New member
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I went with the REDNECK RZR...$600.00 OTD...
I went with the REDNECK RZR...$600.00 OTD...
like I said, if you can ride , more or less state trails that are cared for, and rather flat and smooth, I can see where they can be a fun toy, and all the more so if a jeep isn't legal on them
BUT here in PA< more places are closed to ATV's than jeeps, thus my view's
and all off roading here, is nothing but ruts and rocks that would hang a 4 seater up all the time, our snowmobile trails here are closed to ATV's or 99 % of them are, off roading here is Old coal mine roads and tower lines and most roads haven't seen any repairs in 20+ yrs, and all are up and down hills mostly, with tons of erosion and BIG rocks sticking up due to things
so for me I guess its hard to swallow a toy that will see very little legal use and get me stuck all the time for 20k, when a used jeep, will run less and can travel with it, and a MUCH longer shelf life to boot!
but again, different reasoning here!
BUT here in PA< more places are closed to ATV's than jeeps, thus my view's
and all off roading here, is nothing but ruts and rocks that would hang a 4 seater up all the time, our snowmobile trails here are closed to ATV's or 99 % of them are, off roading here is Old coal mine roads and tower lines and most roads haven't seen any repairs in 20+ yrs, and all are up and down hills mostly, with tons of erosion and BIG rocks sticking up due to things
so for me I guess its hard to swallow a toy that will see very little legal use and get me stuck all the time for 20k, when a used jeep, will run less and can travel with it, and a MUCH longer shelf life to boot!
but again, different reasoning here!
I thought the same thing but then noticed what used Jeeps go for. Ridiculous unless you want something you'll always be wrenching on.
LoveMyDobe
Active member
Prices
Hubby bought the Polaris General, has over 25 grand in it
Hubby bought the Polaris General, has over 25 grand in it
We have a Yamaha Viking and love it. Not the fastest but best all around sxs we tried before we bought it. Not a 4 seater but the 6 seater is nice and comfy too. We had a POS Polaris rzr before the Viking and will never buy another Polaris off road vehicle again. Lots of problems and 1000's of $ in repairs. Before you buy test sit and ride in different brands. Look at a Kawasaki Teryx 4 or Honda 1000 5 seater.
Over 1200 miles on my ranger 570 between June and October last year, no issues, no problems, well i ripped a cv boot, covered under warrsnty though, and I'm not real nice to it. That being said, the Honda I drove was very underpowered. Buddy has a yamaha wolverine, loves it, no problems with it either. His nephew has a can am 4 seater, 1000, blew a belt in less than 500 miles, and has had some electrical issues with it. Utv's atv's, snowmobiles, cars, trucks, boats, golf carts, campers, motorcycles, doesn't matter what it is, everyone has an opinion about them. So far I've had good luck with my polaris atv, and two sxs's I have bought.
We bought a Polaris Ranger new, and it has just under 1000 hrs/14,000+ miles. No problems other than 1 ignition switch, rebuilt the starter, and worn out tires. Same results with a Polaris ATV. They have been very good work/play toys for us. They both have been used, not babied.
I agree with Skylar, you will find an op on just about anything out there.
I have a 2017 Maverick Max XRS turbo and love it. I've had a rz 900 4 seater, and a rzr 1000 four seater. I love 4 seaters for trail riding as I think they handle the bumps better....if you are on the tight trails a 2 seater is better obviously!!! regardless, if you take care of it, it will last longer...anything/brand is junk if you pound on it hard enough....
m8man
I have a 2017 Maverick Max XRS turbo and love it. I've had a rz 900 4 seater, and a rzr 1000 four seater. I love 4 seaters for trail riding as I think they handle the bumps better....if you are on the tight trails a 2 seater is better obviously!!! regardless, if you take care of it, it will last longer...anything/brand is junk if you pound on it hard enough....
m8man
I was looking at the Wildcats as it does appear that you can get some deals on them, but I have heard of a ton of reliability issues and betting that the re sale is bad on them. Anyone spend time in a Pioneer 1000 -5? Looks like a nice setup for kids, but I wish the front had bucket seats vs bench
As of the webinar this morning you can scratch the Arctic Cat Wildcat off your list as they are now officially called Textron off road Wildcat. They are keeping the Wildcat, Prowler and Alteera names but dropping the Arctic Cat. The sleds will stay Arctic Cat.
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