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Help spend my $$$$. UTV wanted.

C_J_J_C

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So I fully admit I know almost zero about UTVs except I want one for Havasu.

We recently rented a house on the island and I want a car to take the wife and two golden retrievers to the beach (1000 yards) and to roll around this winter. I do not need to be the coolest or fastest but would like ready to go, street legal, and reliable.

The last UTV I owned, and still own here in California is a Rhino 660. I looked at buying another Rhino 660 and they seem to be around 5-6K ready to go but 4 doors would be easier.

I checked out Facebook Marketplace and find myself looking at the RZR 1000 but I have no idea what accessories are the must haves or what years to avoid.

So.... lets say $15,000 +/- a bit for a deal..... what would you buy?????
Bonus points if you send me the actual link or even want to go check it out.

I am looking to buy the day I get to town..... August 1st. Only requirements are room for one passenger and two dogs and street legal already.
 

Gelcoater

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A Jeep CJ7😎

They are all over the map on prices.


It wouldn’t be to difficult to add A/C to that program and a hard top comes with the deal.
My parents had one with the 303/T150 that had AC and with the hard top it was bearable in Bullhead in summer.

Super easy to work on vs all the electronic BS of today.

Saw another with a GM 4.3V-6 FI swapped in and a 4 speed stick for less than 12k but looked a little more rough.
 

Bowtiepower00

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I would increase your budget a bit to around 20k, and find a clean 4 seat X3 or Turbo S with under 3000 miles that already has some upgrades done, like comms and lighting.

You will be money ahead to spend a little extra now and get a car that is already built with everything you think you might want to add later.

I would avoid a NA 1000 car for a multitude of reasons. I would also avoid a ranger or utility SXS for Havasu and desert riding- you will probably end up doing a bit of street driving and or riding in groups, and it’s not any fun trying to keep up with faster sport side by sides in a utility type vehicle.
 

Mikes56

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I would increase your budget a bit to around 20k, and find a clean 4 seat X3 or Turbo S with under 3000 miles that already has some upgrades done, like comms and lighting.

You will be money ahead to spend a little extra now and get a car that is already built with everything you think you might want to add later.

I would avoid a NA 1000 car for a multitude of reasons. I would also avoid a ranger or utility SXS for Havasu and desert riding- you will probably end up doing a bit of street driving and or riding in groups, and it’s not any fun trying to keep up with faster sport side by sides in a utility type vehicle.
This^^^^^^ . This exactly.
 

C_J_J_C

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I would increase your budget a bit to around 20k, and find a clean 4 seat X3 or Turbo S with under 3000 miles that already has some upgrades done, like comms and lighting.

You will be money ahead to spend a little extra now and get a car that is already built with everything you think you might want to add later.

I would avoid a NA 1000 car for a multitude of reasons. I would also avoid a ranger or utility SXS for Havasu and desert riding- you will probably end up doing a bit of street driving and or riding in groups, and it’s not any fun trying to keep up with faster sport side by sides in a utility type vehicle.

I wouldn't be apposed to bumping the budget a bit to find a nicer car but I guess I don't find x3s or turboSs anywhere near 20.
 

Bowtiepower00

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They are out there, I’d throw a WTB ad on here, that might get you some leads. There is a fully built one in the classifieds for 30, that probably has 3x that into the build.

I think a lot of people who are looking to sell are sitting on the sideline until desert season to get the most money. The reasonably priced stuff usually moves quickly- but if side by side sales follow boat sales stuff is going to be sitting longer this year. In September once the off-road expos start you will see cars begin to get listed.

Friend of mine just found an 4 seat X3 for $17 that had been sitting and needed a little work, he’s into it about 22-23 after having a mechanic go through it top to bottom and adding a few things like tires/ wheels, lighting, etc.
 

C_J_J_C

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Boatymcboatface

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Great looking rig but I want a 4 door and I need room for the wife and two dogs. Wife might get a little pissed off with 130 pounds of dogs on her lap.
Some really good deals on the KRXs fully loaded model at dealers might be worth a look. Comes with a warranty.
 

outboard_256

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Great looking rig but I want a 4 door and I need room for the wife and two dogs. Wife might get a little pissed off with 130 pounds of dogs on her lap.

I think this is going to be your limitation. I would look for models that will fit your 2 dogs and then start the search from there. I had one germeran sheaperd and he took up more room than a person when in a car. Fitting 2 big dogs in a sxs is going to rule out many of them.
 

Deckin Around

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How fast do you need to go off-road? For what you describe, I would go with a Polaris general and find one with some aftermarket parts. Or Polaris Ranger crew is cheaper. The dogs will be much happier on those back seats or in the bed over any rzr or canam. Bonus for winter is they make easy soft tops to enclose the cab and a heater.


 
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