2021 Coleman Outfitter UT400 - I think I was scammed

[Rainman]

So here's the short of the long and I'd like to run this by others. I got a good deal, but I may have been scammed, depending on the facts behind the scene, as I will explain.

I was looking at inexpensive UTVs with what I could afford and had 3 brands in mind. The only one that was available was the Coleman Outfitter UT400, which was sold at Tractor Supply. The internet showed they only had one left, so the next day I went down to take a look. When I got there the salesman told me that the model they had was just sold, but he would show it to me so I could see it. Then he came back and said he couldn't find it, as it may have already been picked up by the buyer, but he would talk to the manager to see what he could do.

The manager confirmed the floor model was just sold, but he had one in the back they couldn't sell. He took me to see it and proceeded to tell me they couldn't sell it because a year ago, after they moved from one location from across the street to their new location, they lost the keys. It also needed a gas cap and a couple of the reflectors were missing. Since it was a 2021, he really wanted it out of the store, so he offered it to me for $6000. Now the internet price was $8000, and the tag on the UTV with the sku number said $9000.

I told him I'd have to think it over, even though I was saving between $2000-$3000, I wanted to make sure I could get parts, since I also found out that Coleman had filed Chapter 11 back in February.

I came back 4 days later and told him I would not purchase if unless I was able to drive it and the only way to do that without the keys was to hot wire it. He was okay with that, so I got it started and took it for a drive. There were a few bangs and clunks that went away, probably due to it sitting around and now knowing that the shifter problems exist, which may have been some of the noise. But all in all, it started right up and for the most part, ran good.

I bought it, took it home, and it sat in the barn for almost a week while I was trying to locate parts. Seems that the more I learned about this particular model and it being a 2021, parts were not readily available. Now taking into consideration the manager stated this was a brand new UTV, here is where I started to scratch my head.

Supposedly, the UTV sat there unused for about 18 months. The manager said he only started working there about 6 months ago. When I finally did some research and started learning a little bit about the UTV, I was able to check the actual hours and mileage. The dash showed me that there was just under 7 hours and 23 miles on that UTV. Then, when I went to install the new ignitions switch, since I couldn't get keys for the original switch, I had to swap out the connectors only to find out that the wiring to the original ignition switch had one of the wired cut and someone had soldered it back together.

After I started to clean the dust and dirt accumulated on it for the past 18 months, I noticed the clear head light lenses were scratch inside and out and the head light compartment was loaded with dirt and debris. Under the hood was mud that had kicked up there and the windshield was also scratch up, both inside and out. Two bolts were missing off a piece on the exhaust system, which I know had fallen off on someone else's UTV, but the bolts vibrated off of his after about a year of use. And today I found out that there may be a wiring problem with a brake light, which by the way is the only light that didn't have a zip tie holding the rubber dust boot on the back of the brake light assembly, which tells me someone else may have tried to fix the problem.

So with all that said, I did only pay $6000 for now to be know as a slightly used UTV, saving between $2000-$3000, and with that I am okay - BUT - Was I scammed by the manager at Tractor Supply or him only being there 6 months (if that is the truth), was he telling me only what he was told and he is innocent?

So my question is (3 hours later), do I keep it, fix it, and feel good about what I paid for it and what I saved, or return it and do without, because I really can't afford to pay 10 or more thousand for another brand? I do need a UTV to be able to maintain my 12 aces and I'm now 70 years old, so I'm trying to make a good decision here, even though I am still not certain if I was scammed by Tractor Supply or this deal was done in all innocents and miscommunication with Tractor Supply employees.

I'm open for any input and thank you in advance.

[mcraigchr]

I had a bad experience with a Coleman (Hisun) UTV (mechanical issues).  If it were me, I'd run away as far and fast as you can.

I spent the money and got a Kubota.  900 hours later, not one issue.

[Charles Hines]

I’m about your age and also bought a UT 400 from TSC. I got it on sale for $6999 and it’s a 2023 model. For what it’s worth, I love mine and have made several improvements to it over the last year,such as a cab enclosure and heat. Just about any part you could possibly ever need can be found quickly and cheaply on Ebay or Amazon. No need to hot wire or cobble anything. Keep in mind that these are made for Coleman by Hisun, so parts are readily available.

[Steve G.]

Sounds like the TSC people didn't really know the full story behind it. Those places, and others, do have a frequent turnover in workers. If it is all you can afford, and you think you can get everything up to par without a lot more money and time, then probably should keep it. Deliberately scamming someone versus not knowing all the real details are different things to me. As Charles said above you should be able to find parts pretty easily without a huge price tag. I would definitely replace all the fluids and oil filter just to be safe.

[Charles Hines]

A good rule of thumb for buying anything from a big box outlet is to buy new, check cartons for damage, and expect to go over every nut and bolt before trusting that somebody else did it for you. I found a few loose fasteners, a misaligned steering wheel and the tires misaligned. It’s not so much ability to afford a particular side by side as it is how much you value what the vehicle will do for you and how you intend to use it. I figured starting with a fully equipped vehicle that would actually fit down the trails I use was a must. I did a lot to quiet it down and make it a true all weather ride. I am under $8000 all in for a vehicle I am very happy with.

[Rainman]

3 hours ago, Charles Hines said:

I’m about your age and also bought a UT 400 from TSC. I got it on sale for $6999 and it’s a 2023 model. For what it’s worth, I love mine and have made several improvements to it over the last year,such as a cab enclosure and heat. Just about any part you could possibly ever need can be found quickly and cheaply on Ebay or Amazon. No need to hot wire or cobble anything. Keep in mind that these are made for Coleman by Hisun, so parts are readily available.

I did get an ignition on eBay and only had to change the end connector and it worked good, but with the gas cap, no one seems to have one that states it will fit because those that are made for the Coleman UTV400 are only compatible with any year before 2021. I can't find anyone who can tell me they have one for a 2021 or later year model. Now I know I can probably get one at an auto store, but there are none close to me and I don't have a trailer to haul the UTV there so I can try fitting one on. For now, I cut a piece of foam rubber that will loop over the filler tube and I have a cap the I can temporarily thread over the rubber foam. It works for now.

[Rainman]

1 hour ago, Charles Hines said:

A good rule of thumb for buying anything from a big box outlet is to buy new, check cartons for damage, and expect to go over every nut and bolt before trusting that somebody else did it for you. I found a few loose fasteners, a misaligned steering wheel and the tires misaligned. It’s not so much ability to afford a particular side by side as it is how much you value what the vehicle will do for you and how you intend to use it. I figured starting with a fully equipped vehicle that would actually fit down the trails I use was a must. I did a lot to quiet it down and make it a true all weather ride. I am under $8000 all in for a vehicle I am very happy with.

I hear you and agree. For me, now that I have the ignition switch situation resolved, once I get the gas cap needed, find out what is squeaking all over, and resolve the gear shifter slipping out of gear, I know this UTV will become very useful for what I need it for. I have a lot of work to do around my property and it will become very handy on accomplishing what needs to be done.

[Rainman]

3 hours ago, Charles Hines said:

... Keep in mind that these are made for Coleman by Hisun, so parts are readily available.

One thing about that, Coleman stated to me it would take a minimum of 3 weeks to ship out any parts and then told a locksmith I was speaking to that they aren't shipping out parts at all. I did call Hisun and to my surprise when I asked about parts I needed, they told me they are not affiliated with Coleman anymore and if I needed anything for the UTV, I had to get it through Coleman. I told them the UTV was all Hisun parts and they said they couldn't help me and to contact Coleman. This is why I  am frustrated. I feel like I'm left out in the cold with this. But I'm going to take it one step at a time and see where this all leads.

[Steve G.]

16 minutes ago, Rainman said:

One thing about that, Coleman stated to me it would take a minimum of 3 weeks to ship out any parts and then told a locksmith I was speaking to that they aren't shipping out parts at all. I did call Hisun and to my surprise when I asked about parts I needed, they told me they are not affiliated with Coleman anymore and if I needed anything for the UTV, I had to get it through Coleman. I told them the UTV was all Hisun parts and they said they couldn't help me and to contact Coleman. This is why I  am frustrated. I feel like I'm left out in the cold with this. But I'm going to take it one step at a time and see where this all leads.

Ebay has lots of parts for Hisun based UTVs. Just did a quick search and there are ignition switches listed for TSC and Coleman. I have bought a fuel pump and other parts for my Bennche from US based sellers there with good results.

PS: Compare pictures closely to make sure it looks like original.

Edited July 22, 2023 by Steve G.
add info

[Rainman]

On 7/22/2023 at 1:01 PM, Steve G. said:

Ebay has lots of parts for Hisun based UTVs. Just did a quick search and there are ignition switches listed for TSC and Coleman. I have bought a fuel pump and other parts for my Bennche from US based sellers there with good results.

PS: Compare pictures closely to make sure it looks like original.

Yes, eBay does have a lot of selections. That's where I eventually purchased the ignition switch. The switch itself looked like an exact duplicate, except for the wire connector. I switched out the connector, did some soldering and all was good. But I had a switch to match up as you suggested. Unfortunately, I don't have a gas cap and from what I've seen, before 2021 the caps were female threaded, but from 2021 forward, they are either female or male threaded. It looks like mine is male threaded, but everyone selling gas caps advertises them as female threaded for Coleman's before 2021. Have yet to see any male threaded ones I can try, but I'm not giving up hope yet.

[Dale Stansbery]

If you look at the Hisun parts catalog (Alpha-Sports.com) it shows a cap for a carb engine and a different one one for an EFI engine. I'm certain they can assist you in getting the correct gas cap. It sounds like you have enough time invested now with the 400 that you should just fix it and enjoy it. Unless it had an excessive amount of hours on the hour meter or you find something major wrong, I think you did OK on the price. I bought a 2021 (in 2021) outfitter 550 and love it.

[Rainman]

On 7/28/2023 at 9:52 PM, Dale Stansbery said:

If you look at the Hisun parts catalog (Alpha-Sports.com) it shows a cap for a carb engine and a different one one for an EFI engine. I'm certain they can assist you in getting the correct gas cap. It sounds like you have enough time invested now with the 400 that you should just fix it and enjoy it. Unless it had an excessive amount of hours on the hour meter or you find something major wrong, I think you did OK on the price. I bought a 2021 (in 2021) outfitter 550 and love it.

Thank you for the recommendations and I will check out Alpha-Sports.com.