Kawasaki mule 610 4x4 XC

[LandCruiser]

Punks broke into my garage, stole and wrecked my ATV.

Finally got a check from the insurance company, and the wife would prefer a side by side as it rides and drives like a car, and has a proper bed.

Don't have much of a budget. This seems to be the cheapest out there, and doesn't have abysmal reviews.

Might also take it hunting, but apparently these don't do that well in the hills.

 

[SV_Dude]

I wouldn't get a mule. Look into the Polaris Ranger. I have used them extensively for moving heavy aircraft parts to and from the hangar to the aircraft on the flight line. They are extremely capable of moving quickly with heavy gear in the bed. They can also come with a winch, enclosed cabs with heaters, windshield wipers, lights, etc. Of course while we weren't flying we would take them into the woods outside of the flight line and they do VERY well on the trails. They will take plenty of abuse and are very durable.

I have used the mule's quite a bit and they seem sluggish. They still come with a bed that can take a heavy load. The ones I have used had a lot of engine noise, tranny noise, and didn't do as well off road as the rangers. However, some of the mules come in a 6x6 platform so the second rear axle can make it beefier for extremely heavy loads. But I have put nearly 1000 pounds in both the single axle mule and ranger so they will both do utility duties fine. My preference lies with the ranger though.

I am not sure on some of the prices of each but if I were to buy one I would go straight to the ranger because of personal experience with both.

Edit: The Ranger's also can come with a back seat and a 4 door configuration too.

 

[wnelax04sr5]

ive gotta second the ranger. I'm partial to polaris products because i have two sportsman's, but the girlfriends dad has a mule and that thing is one of the worst side x sides I've ever encountered. The ranger is gonna be better in almost every category than the mule, and has a bit more of a pedigree. if it was my money, it'd be the polaris. better quality, certainly quicker and more nimble, the suspension is worlds ahead of the mule, and in most cases more capable

Polaris RANGER vs Kawasaki Mule - YouTube

Kawasaki Mule vs. Polaris Ranger | Hunting Vehicles | Texas Hunting Forum

Polaris Ranger vs Kawsaki Mule?? - Georgia Outdoor News Forum

 

[bofa]

For that kind of $$ I'd be tempted to get a used truck.

 

[SV_Dude]

Just out of curiousity, since you live out in the mountains, most likely the people that broke into your garage knew you or at least knew what you had. Did they ever find the kids that stole your atv?

 

[LandCruiser]

Just out of curiousity, since you live out in the mountains, most likely the people that broke into your garage knew you or at least knew what you had. Did they ever find the kids that stole your atv?

They were the next door neighbor's kids. They said they just wanted to borrow it and crashing it was an "accident."

I got some extra cash from their parents.

Good call on the Polaris, my main motivation for the mule is that it was cheep, but it may not handle the mountains...

 

[LandCruiser]

For that kind of $$ I'd be tempted to get a used truck.

Me too, but it needs to be small and narrow. I have a bunch of small trails along the back of my property, and I want to use it as a plow on sidewalks and the streets around my house.

I had an old Kawasaki Prairie ATV I brought with me from Florida which I loved, but the kids managed to tumble it into a rocky ravine and let meltwater soak it for a week.

The Ranger 400 costs the same as the Mule, the 570 EFI is a bit more...

A local dealer can undercut the prices for a 13 model, and I found them for less in Wyoming.

This has given me a lot to think about.