old used 4x4s vs new UTV

[JDgator]

I drive a 2009 Toyota Camry. Clearly not an off road vehicle! I have been wanting something with 4wd that can get me around the duck lease without spending too much money. I had the salesman price out a 4wd UTV for me. I was shocked to see how much one costs.

Will a used 4wd explorer or blazer do as good as a UTV?

I was thinking I could buy an old one for a few thousand and overhaul the drivetrain without breaking the bank. I know I could parts relatively inexpensivesly, I see them in the salavage parts yard in my town on a regular basis.

If a 2 door explorer or blazer won't do the trick what other vehicle should I look for? Help out a confused Georgian. I am pretty handy with the domestic vehicles.

Are used UTVs difficult to find replacement parts for?

Thanks.

[mshunter77]

It really depends on what type of terrain you have and what type of roads or trails. With utvs you can get around in the woods with out trails. Also with something like a used k5 blazer you are gonna have constant work to do on it. A friend of mine bought an old blazer with a brand new crate motor in it and still had to do constant work on it. Now it was mostly small stuff not anything that would leave you stranded, but still sometimes could be a couple hundred bucks. I would say try and find a decent used utv and have it checked out good. Should not be a problem to find parts for one. Also could think about a jacked up golf cart if you don't have too much mud or water.

[southernvaughan]

I personally would go with an old 4x4... I drive a BMW most days but I have an old 85 K5 Blazer to go to the camp and go fishing and stuff in. For me they both have pros and cons here are a few of say a K5 Blazer Vs a Kubota UTV:
Old 4x4 Pros: Low overhead cost, maintenance is really inexpensive (if you have any mechanical knowledge), it is street legal so you can go into town if you need to, a lot of room for you hunting buddies and gear.
Cons: its old and things are going to wear out over time( water is terrible on these old trucks), you have to have somewhat of a trail to drive them on.

UTV Pros: Its new, lighter than a truck so will go more places, can drive through the woods easier.
UTV Cons:Its new(high up front cost), if it breaks you pretty much have to take it to a dealer to get it worked on, you have to haul it from place to place on a trailer(will the Camry do that), also have to buy an expensive trailer to haul it on, not much room for passengers or gear.

[deltadukman]

Find an old suzuki samurai if your not wanting to drive far on the road. They can be built extremely well for not alot of rent money.

[southernvaughan]

Find an old suzuki samurai if your not wanting to drive far on the road. They can be built extremely well for not alot of rent money.

Very true! only thing with the Samurai is its hard to find junk yard parts for... At least it was when I had mine. Thats why I got rid of it, but they will flat out GO off road when they are running.

[deltadukman]

My dad and brother both have/had one...whenever something broke, they just bought new aftermarket parts that were more "built" and they werent that much more expensive than oem parts.

[southernvaughan]

yeah thats what you gotta do with them. But those parts are still alot more expensive than salvage parts. Not knocking the Samurai at all though they are great little trucks! The Blazer just better fit my situation.

[sondance]

I am not sure how your lease is set up but we have to drive a long way off the rd. A 4 wheel drive works okay but after it rains it gets hairy in the gumbo. You wouldn't want to take it on a rice field levee either. SO you may wind up walking alot, which is also not pleasant in gumbo. The UTV's are nice but I agree they are overpriced. Why not get a used 4 WD ATV like a 250 rancher? You can usually get one for $2-$3k in good shape. They are also much lighter than a UTV and you can use a smaller trailer if you are going to try and pull it with your Camry. Park off the pavement and drive in. Plus it's easy to find someone to work on them if you buy a honda or yamaha.

[Rahoovie]

It all depends on who you talk to.We use to hunt out of a 89 4X4 bronco II and that thing would go any were it was small and perfect.I could get into places with it that my ATV would not even go.

[JDgator]

So can you get a good used utv for 4000-5000 or will it be more? Does a utv usually come with a trailer or do they go seperately?

[Chuckle12]

Don't rule out an old extended cab Toyota.

[DEERHUNT]

Don't rule out an old extended cab Toyota.

+1000 You can't beat an old yota and you get a pick up bed to throw $#!+ in

[SwampMan]

I drive a 2009 Toyota Camry.

If you go the utv route, how will you pull it? Also don't forget to factor in $1,000 - 1,500 for a trailer if you don't already have one. They're nice, but a lot more expensive!

[TODO]

I'd talk to your landlord before buying a 4 x 4. I know if it were my farm i wouldnt want the trunrows, etc. rutted up by a truck. What about getting a used UTV or a mini-truck?