learn me on the SXS

[69hondo]

The wife and I are kicking around the idea of getting a SXS 4 seater for around the desert/mountains where we live. I take the buggy but when it comes to major rock and tree/bush trails I am out so that is why we are looking into this.

I dont need the baddest mofo out there and dont need to spend a bunch of money. Not sure exactly when we will commit but wanted to get some opinions on what is good/bad, what to stay away from. Nothing brand new either.

Lets try not to make this a "Chevy/Ford" debate. Thanks, Nick

 

[ArizonaKevin]

The wife and I are kicking around the idea of getting a SXS for around the desert/mountains where we live. I take the buggy but when it comes to major rock and tree/bush trails I am out so that is why we are looking into this.

I dont need the baddest mofo out there and dont need to spend a bunch of money. Not sure exactly when we will commit but wanted to get some opinions on what is good/bad, what to stay away from. Nothing brand new either.

Lets try not to make this a "Chevy/Ford" debate. Thanks, Nick

first question is are you looking for a 2 seater or 4 seater?

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Buy a 2016 or newer RZR 1000XP or 2018 and newer RZR Turbo XP. 2 seater or 4 seater.

Try to buy one in good shape with most of the aftermarket stuff you want on it already.

Parts are plentiful and cheap, they work well, all the problems and fixes are well known.

 

[69hondo]

first question is are you looking for a 2 seater or 4 seater?

updated sorry.

 

[ArizonaKevin]

updated sorry.

for 4 seater what LOF said above is the best advice. 2 seater opens up some more options

 

[Bpracing1127]

buy my 4 seater lol

 

[Mikes56]

If you choose a RZR, make sure you get a turbo one. My 2015 non turbo wouldn’t make it to the top of Comp Hill in Glamis before running out of power.

 

[Outdrive1]

The wife and I are kicking around the idea of getting a SXS 4 seater for around the desert/mountains where we live. I take the buggy but when it comes to major rock and tree/bush trails I am out so that is why we are looking into this.

I dont need the baddest mofo out there and dont need to spend a bunch of money. Not sure exactly when we will commit but wanted to get some opinions on what is good/bad, what to stay away from. Nothing brand new either.

Lets try not to make this a "Chevy/Ford" debate. Thanks, Nick

Doesn’t seem like any of replies actually read what you wrote.

I’ll take a stab. And give you a couple ideas. You want something stock is what I’m reading. Used. Nothing with 50k in upgrades. You don’t need a turbo.


I wouldn’t buy a rzr 900. They are small. I would however, buy a Ranger 900. That’s a good mountain road cruiser. You’ll make it anywhere you need to go. A ranger 1000 is nicer. A 2014/2015 Rzr xp1000 would be nice too.

The 4 seat Teryx might be a good alternative also. Not quite a Ranger, not quite a RZR. And they are cheaper used than anything Polaris.

Canam X3 sounds like it’s out of your criteria. I don’t know anything about the Maverick or defender.

 

[JFMFG]

We just got into the sxs game. 2022 can am xrs rr. Car is fast as hell on the street can’t wait to get it in the dirt.

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

I personally don't own one but I have a few coworkers that really like their Polaris Generals. They are much more comfortable than the rangers. I don't think the price point is crazy either. If I was in the market that's what I would be entertaining.

 

[Riverfamlee]

We went and sat in them all. Ended up with the can am x3 due to it having more leg room front and back.

RZR’s sit a little more upright and have better visibility coming over hills. Can ams have more leg room but sit more laid back.

The general IMO had the best comfort of all. They just don’t seem to be as plentiful so selection is slim.

2 years with the can am and no issues. No broken belts nothing. Just a flat. About 1200 miles on it for what it’s worth.

We have friends have rhinos and they have a good time. Funny to watch them bucking all over the place.

Guess it comes down to personal preference and how much seat time you will have. We went with what was most comfortable for us.

 

[Jetdriver951]

We bought our kawasaki teryx4 800 brand new January 2019 for 15k out the door. Not the fastest by any means but I don't need to go 90mph. I have upgraded the shocks to stage 4 elkas, 30 inch tusk terrabite tires, had the clutch sent out to handle the larger tires, reflashed the ecu, and I installed the light bars, and led whip. It has been a great ride. The wife and kids love it. All the pictures posted are stock.

 

[mash on it]

Another idea-

Dan'l

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Another idea-

Dan'l

The ones that looked like jeeps before they got sued looked a hell of a lot better.

 

[Good Stuff]

I roll around Havasu with a Honda Pioneer 1000-5 deluxe. It’s not an off-road speed demon but it will hang pretty well. Tops out at 65mph with 5 adults.

Has a 6 speed transmission (No Belts) with high/low, and front and rear lockers (the limited has an electronic braking system instead of front mechanical locker.) Flip up jump-seats in the rear dump bed and a 3 person bench up front.

If I had a 40k budget I would find a Ranger 1000 Northstar with full cab and AC rather than a CanAm or RZR.

 

[Mikes56]

Give some thought to what you want to do with it. If you just want to putt around, anything reliable will be fine. I’m afraid you might get bored and want to start doing multi day trips across the desert like a bunch of us just did. If you think you will want to do that, you’ll need something faster and with more suspension like a newer RZR or CanAm. I’d hate to see you buy something then have to upgrade.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Give some thought to what you want to do with it. If you just want to putt around, anything reliable will be fine. I’m afraid you might get bored and want to start doing multi day trips across the desert like a bunch of us just did. If you think you will want to do that, you’ll need something faster and with more suspension like a newer RZR or CanAm. I’d hate to see you buy something then have to upgrade.

This. That is why I feel like a good used RZR 1000 XP4 is a good solution here. It will do everything, can be made very comfortable, and is capable of decent speeds so you won’t be left behind if there are faster cars in your group.


I found this one for our friends in Jan of this year for $18k and had 230 miles on it. It had a bunch of little stuff done to to it - roof, 4 point harnesses, lights and god awful plastic windsheilds. He’s been searching for deals as He wants to do a “bang for the buck” build. We put in a set of Eibach springs, good 30” tires on stock wheels, and and intercom with a handheld radio for car to car comms in it. He’s about $20k all in. It’s nothing fancy but the car works great. He’s gonna spend another $500 or so on a new spare tire mount, upgraded radius rods and a couple other doodads and call it good.

 

[Bpracing1127]

I have yet to have any sxs completely walk away from me in havasu @Englewood came close with his turbo S. His ride is holy shit fast and works amazing in the rough. My NA car is pretty good fast. As I have gotten better at driving i finally feel the need for a faster car.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I have yet to have any sxs completely walk away from me in havasu @Englewood came close with his turbo S. His ride is holy shit fast and works amazing in the rough. My NA car is pretty good fast. As I have gotten better at driving i finally feel the need for a faster car.

You should caveat that with outside a wash you haven’t been completely walked. Fran annihilated me (and by extension you because I’m faster than you ) in Mohave Wash in his Can Am. @jbird has romped us too.

 

[DLC]

If your looking for used check Race Dezert ( https://classifieds.race-dezert.com/UTV ) for pricing

most of the used cars are can am and rzr’s

I would look at a 4 seat rzr, if you break you can find parts, LOF just replaced a transmission in his car for $1700, they are reliable and have a decent resale.

 

[DLC]

You should caveat that with outside a wash you haven’t been completely walked. Fran annihilated me (and by extension you because I’m faster than you ) in Mohave Wash in his Can Am. @jbird has romped us too.

On the Primm ride Ol Scott just flat out disappeared on us, just after BPracing blew his belt, like Boom - GONE!

Scott has to be a magician because he disappeared!

 

[DLC]

I have yet to have any sxs completely walk away from me in havasu @Englewood came close with his turbo S. His ride is holy shit fast and works amazing in the rough. My NA car is pretty good fast. As I have gotten better at driving i finally feel the need for a faster car.

On the Primm ride LOF and I blew right past you and the group and you didn’t even know we passed ya, we had to stop so you could catch up!

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

On the Primm ride LOF and I blew right past you and the group and you didn’t even know we passed ya, we had to stop so you could catch up!

And that was on slicks! Now I have tread again

 

[TPC]

X3 more fun to drive doesn't feel tipsy behind the wheel.
We have the 2 seat and 4 seat.
2 seat great on the dunes the 4 seat for everything else.
Great crawler, trail & desert runner.

 

[69hondo]

Thanks for all the replies here guys.
So what is considered a lot of hours/miles on these things?

 

[69hondo]

This. That is why I feel like a good used RZR 1000 XP4 is a good solution here. It will do everything, can be made very comfortable, and is capable of decent speeds so you won’t be left behind if there are faster cars in your group.


I found this one for our friends in Jan of this year for $18k and had 230 miles on it. It had a bunch of little stuff done to to it - roof, 4 point harnesses, lights and god awful plastic windsheilds. He’s been searching for deals as He wants to do a “bang for the buck” build. We put in a set of Eibach springs, good 30” tires on stock wheels, and and intercom with a handheld radio for car to car comms in it. He’s about $20k all in. It’s nothing fancy but the car works great. He’s gonna spend another $500 or so on a new spare tire mount, upgraded radius rods and a couple other doodads and call it good.


View attachment 1071905

I think this is pretty much the deal I will be looking for.

 

[Bpracing1127]

I woul

Thanks for all the replies here guys.
So what is considered a lot of hours/miles on these things?

I would say over 7-8000 miles is getting up there. But with the right maintenance these will go a long time. Depends on the machine and owner

 

[ArizonaKevin]

Thanks for all the replies here guys.
So what is considered a lot of hours/miles on these things?

hard to say, there's some guy that has 30k plus miles on his X3 (granted he has replaced most of everything). on a 16-17ish model I would shoot for around 4k miles or less

 

[DLC]

Thanks for all the replies here guys.
So what is considered a lot of hours/miles on these things?

I would look for some thing under 2,000 miles used.

i think alot of miles is upwards of 4-5,000 miles on a 2 or 3 year old car. I have a 18’ can am w/ 3700 miles. That’s like 1200 miles a year. Hurry up Speed car!! i think it relative to the age of the car.
I know a guy that has 7,000 miles on his 2 seat can am and he cant sell his car for any real value, yes he can make it go away for some reduced $$$$.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Thanks for all the replies here guys.
So what is considered a lot of hours/miles on these things?

There are MANY 3-6 year old RZR 1000s sitting in garages with very low miles on them. What DLC said is good advice. I'd go for one that appears to be well taken care of with a little more miles over one with low miles that looks beat though.

 

[Englewood]

I'd Get a 1000xp non-turbo for low 20's. If you can drive and get the suspension done, you will keep up with 99% of UTV's in the open desert.

I agree w/ above...2000mi or less is ideal.