Gator UTV's? meh? or awesome?

[3Roosters]

Throwing a question out to the peanut gallery on these units. I can score one of these units at very attractive price point.
- My usage would be mainly trail riding abandoned railroad lines, trails, early and late ice, and hauling brush, wood etc on occasion. Probably 50-75 hours max a season. I currently own a 2010 Polaris Sportsman 550 so am thinking a SXS at a nice price point may be worth selling the 550 and hopping on the SXS bandwagon. Just not sure if I want to go the payment route again for the hours I would use it.
How are these units? ride wise, durability,etc etc etc?
Thanks!

 

[Callem'In]

We take one up to Winnipeg with tracks. As far as I know, he has not had any problems. Has great low end power.

 

[luvcatchingbass]

I have a customer that has had one for I think 4 years and has been very happy with his. He is a dirt contractor and they use the heck out it for lots of stuff

 

[Allen]

While I have not personally driven one, I think they are intended for the working crowd with the high durability, low sex appeal philosophy.

 

[BrokenBackJack]

Talked with a guy in the campground that had one last summer. He pretty much said the same as Allen. He said if he had it to do all over he would go Polaris but he got such a deal on it as the dealer had a few and couldn't move them, he couldn't turn it down for the price he paid. Said he would have to keep it as every place he went they wouldn't hardly give him anything on trade.
They all have problems and they all have good points. If the price is right and it does what you want that is all that counts.

 

[riverview]

where are you finding deals on john deere gators? I have looked at them and they weren't very cheap.

 

[raider]

they fall into a different category than the go fast ones... they r built to compete with the polaris brutus, kubota, and bobcat utv's (built by polaris)... they limit the speed to avoid some of the govt safety regs - which is kind of a buzz kill for the trail rider...

not sure bout the gator specifically, but i know that some of the group run a hydrostatic trans - which is bout bullet proof - but not "fun" to drive as the speed and power are really limited... these machines are best on job sites, farms, and used as spray rigs for ditch and prairie grasses by hwy departments - some fire departments also run them with water tanks for prairie fire control...

 

[tman]

All side by sides are a bit on the loud side but from everything I have heard and read gators are the loudest I'm talking in cab noise. I don't have any personal experience with a gator though just going off what others have said.

 

[Livetohuntandfish]

I’ve got one. Had it for about 5 years now and have about 10-12,000 miles on it. Only issues have been a starter and fuel pump. They are hard to work on but I guess maybe all the side by sides are. I love the comfort and it’s very reliable. It’s the only one I’ve been in that’s fully enclosed and doesn’t get dust inside. It’s also sweatshirt comfortable in -20. This one granted has the glass cab. Unless you need a window to roll down I’d go that route. I take case of the machine but it’s ran everyday and used to pull things it shouldn’t. When working on headers or smaller tractors I’ll use it to pull them around. Alittle in site on how tough it is. Good luck

 

[NDbowman]

My neighbor has one and it seems to hold up well with ranch work and I think it is a good machine. Its annoying to listen to when he drives away. It sounds like a souped up crotch rocket.

 

[remm]

I have heard they made a bunch of changes on the brand new ones that are just coming out. If you were looking at an older model i’d probably look at polaris, if i were in the market now for new, i’d definately take a hard look at the new gators. Only downside is they still didnt come out with the 4 seater, heard that is still in the works.

 

[BrokenBackJack]

where are you finding deals on john deere gators? I have looked at them and they weren't very cheap.

I didn't ask him where he bought it but he was from Illinois.

 

[3Roosters]

where are you finding deals on john deere gators? I have looked at them and they weren't very cheap.

Raffle prize. He doesn't want it.

 

[Zogman]

Neighbor at the Angle has a Gator, I use it some as he is only around on weekends. Seems like a good machine. A little louder than the Polaris Rangers. Most have Polaris up here.

 

[johnr]

Best bet is polaris. That gay green is hard to look at everyday.

 

[KDM]

Those I've dealt with in the Military seemed under powered, broke down quite a bit of the time, and they are noisy. Now they may have addressed many of these issues as I've been retired for a year, but the gator wouldn't be my first choice in a SxS. However, if the price was right, I could bring myself to own one.

 

[3Roosters]

Best bet is polaris. That gay green is hard to look at everyday.

haha I hear what you are saying. They actually have olive/black color and camo options now. This particular one is olive/black. This one doesn't have a cab...asked local dealer what that would cost. This particular model doesn't have a cab option so I'm probably gonna just keep my money in my pocket on this one.

 

[Captain Ahab]

haha I hear what you are saying. They actually have olive/black color and camo options now. This particular one is olive/black. This one doesn't have a cab...asked local dealer what that would cost. This particular model doesn't have a cab option so I'm probably gonna just keep my money in my pocket on this one.

Too bad. The best part about those gators is the cab.

 

[Zogman]

Best bet is polaris. That gay green is hard to look at everyday.

​Camo.

 

[Sluggin_Guts]

If you want something at all sporty I think you'll be disappointed in the gator. We have one on the farm and I really like it for a work machine. Tough to beat for durability and longevity. If I want to have more fun I ride my Can Am. I used to have a Ranger and I don't miss it at all.