Shopping Around For a UTV

[rsar]

Hey guys. After mulling it over for several months, the wife and I have decided that our old Honda four wheeler's best days have come and gone. It's served us well over the past 8 years but it's time to upgrade to a UTV. We're excited and more than a little nervous, considering some of the horror stories we've read about UTVs at our price point, which is somewhere between 9 and 10k. In my research I've only found a couple options  in that price range that would come with all the options we want (roof, windshield, winch).  The Massimo 410, 550 and the Coleman UT400. We live on a 14 acre property so utility will be it's biggest use but the property is partially wooded with about three quarters of a mile of trails  so there's a little bit of fun to be had too. The trails are pretty narrow however. My four wheeler can navigate them fine but there are some narrow sections that would rule out anything over 54 inches wide or 74 inches tall which takes the Massimo 550 out of the equation. So it's between the 410 and the Coleman. We're leaning towards the Coleman because it's the smaller of the two and about $1400 cheaper. I'm a little concerned about the mixed reviews on the Coleman, though. Seems to me you need to be darn near a mechanic to maintain the UT400, which I am not. I've managed t keep the Honda running all these years but I haven't had to do anything major like adjust the gear linkage, which from  what I've read seems to be a common necessity with the Coleman. Fortunately, our handyman is also a bit of an auto mechanic so we would have him behind us.  In any case, I just wanted to pick some experienced brains to either ease my mind on the Coleman or steer me towards the  Massimo 410 or even something else. 

[TapBoss]

There are mixed reviews on both those models and a couple owners on here that are well versed on each of them and  I'm sure they will chime in with their experiences.  If you look at the 410, check to see which engine it has.  I would not buy one unless it has the Linhai engine.  Another option would be to look around the used market.  A Rhino might be a little over the width you are looking for, but they can be found at and below your range.  I know around here they went fast though when they were listed.

[Travis]

Kawasaki's base model Mule SX.. overall width is 52.6 inches height is 70", granted it does not Come with a windshield or roof those can be bought for around $200/$250 each from independent manufacturers. The UT400 is pretty much the same price as the Mule, suggested MSRP for the mule is 6799. and the Mule has a slightly larger engine at 401cc's.

and even though at that price the coleman comes with a windshield, roof and other accessories.. it kind of seems there is a little bit of quality sacrificed for the price... Kawasaki's got a 3 year warranty... couldn't find anything about the coleman.

and my opinion is biased a little bit   

 

[cliffyk]

20 hours ago, rsar said:

Hey guys. After mulling it over for several months, the wife and I have decided that our old Honda four wheeler's best days have come and gone. It's served us well over the past 8 years but it's time to upgrade to a UTV. We're excited and more than a little nervous, considering some of the horror stories we've read about UTVs at our price point, which is somewhere between 9 and 10k. In my research I've only found a couple options  in that price range that would come with all the options we want (roof, windshield, winch).  The Massimo 410, 550 and the Coleman UT400. We live on a 14 acre property so utility will be it's biggest use but the property is partially wooded with about three quarters of a mile of trails  so there's a little bit of fun to be had too. The trails are pretty narrow however. My four wheeler can navigate them fine but there are some narrow sections that would rule out anything over 54 inches wide or 74 inches tall which takes the Massimo 550 out of the equation. So it's between the 410 and the Coleman. We're leaning towards the Coleman because it's the smaller of the two and about $1400 cheaper. I'm a little concerned about the mixed reviews on the Coleman, though. Seems to me you need to be darn near a mechanic to maintain the UT400, which I am not. I've managed t keep the Honda running all these years but I haven't had to do anything major like adjust the gear linkage, which from  what I've read seems to be a common necessity with the Coleman. Fortunately, our handyman is also a bit of an auto mechanic so we would have him behind us.  In any case, I just wanted to pick some experienced brains to either ease my mind on the Coleman or steer me towards the  Massimo 410 or even something else. 

The Coleman UT400 is a Coleman branded Hisun HS400. I got mine in October of 2020--it now has 720 miles and 52 hours on it, with naught but minor issues, the shift cable adjustment requiring the most attention--but hardly a "major" issue (requiring manipulation of just two 22 mm adjusting nuts). Overall I would judge it to be a well-made and as reliable as this sort of vehicle can/will be. Coleman support has been pretty good in providing manuals, service bulletins. etc.

I would avoid Massimo as their level of customer support is what caused Hisunto drop them as a dealer in 2018. Now they just buy cheap from a half-dozen different manufacturers and slap their stickers on them. As to anecdotal reports of anythings' reliability, there are people out there who beat the crap out of everything they own--so I discount a great deal of that sort of flap...

[T-boss 410]

I've had a T-boss 410 for over a year now, and besides a bad starter solenoid,  it's been very reliable. I did replace the spark plug, as the OEM plug was showing some wear. It was pretty dark around the electrodes, and needed regapped. I have spares, so I just replaced it. Runs very well, starts quickly. No complaints here so far. 

[Ken Finney]

Have you considered an American Landmaster?  Their L5 seems a good match for what you are looking for.   I'd like to say more about them, but my new L7x only hase 4 miles on it, after getting it delivered last Saturday.