Current Rhino Owner, in Idaho looking into the Polaris Ranger series

[wildbill23c]

Hi everyone,

Currently I've got a 2011 Yamaha Rhino 700, but looking into getting a Ranger for utility purposes around the property and for trail use for firewood hauling. Got the rhino and shouldn't have. I love the rhino but hate the finance company and now I'm working a minimum wage job a year after purchasing, then got back on track and tried to contact the finance company to move the due date from the 2nd to the 5th of the month since I get paid on the 5th but they refused. Since the payment is due on that date and they charge $39.99 for a late fee I was trying to get the date changed to the 5th. I now work at McDonalds for minimum wage, and have absolutely no money left between paychecks. After losing another ATV a couple years ago because of this finance companies horrible practices I should have known, but this time I'm done, they're getting a well used rhino back with over 1100 miles on it already, and bone stock, I've ripped everything off of it that I have put on afterwards, so its back to the stock version.

So now I'm looking at a Polaris Ranger as it seems more practical and able to handle the heavier loads put on it. The rhino is rated at 1200lbs towing and 400lbs bed capacity, and I've overloaded it several times just hauling wood. Onlything I think I will miss is the 4WD system its the most capable system I've ever seen. I love the Ranger's turf mode that's what's got me stuck in buying a Ranger.

[redmoose]

I think you'll love the Ranger. Even my 500 mid-size has a better hauling and towing rating than your Rhino 700. Seats only 2 but tows and plows snow like a champ! The 800 and 800 HD seat 3 and are even more powerful, though spendier. I've included a couple of photos of my 2011 Ranger 500 EFI, and I'm looking forward to reading how this turns out for you. Good luck!

[wildbill23c]

I'll keep everyone posted, its going to be into the summer before I can even think about looking into a ranger, but wanted to get my foot in the door of the ranger forum and see what I'm getting myself into. Seems quite a few electrical problems with the rangers.

[redmoose]

None of the folks I know with Rangers have had electrical problems, but I have read of a few. As a Ranger owner, obviously I think they are a good value or I wouldn't own one, but you are smart to check it out and to start early. Good luck!

[wildbill23c]

Thanks for the input. I went over and talked to the local Polaris dealer this afternoon. Unfortunately I don't have the means to purchase right now but was given a $10,700 quote on a 2011 Polaris Ranger XP 800. Looking at the polaris website that's priced $600 less than the MSRP. Don't really see anything left off the one at the dealership, but does that sound like something other dealers do to clear out last years models? $10,700 is $800 less than the damn rhino cost and doesn't have near the room and capacity that the Polaris Ranger has. I am set right now on getting the Polaris Ranger XP 800 when I'm able too. Decided that the 6x6 isn't exactly gonna be of any use around the yard and doesn't have turf mode so I would be causing huge amounts of destruction to the yard with the 6x6.

Was told that the ranger has to be operated in Low Range when towing/hauling or driving under 15mph which kind of sucks but then again I never drove the rhino that fast either.

[Russ Chastain]

Dude, no offense but if you can't plan your spending any better than that, you have bigger problems than figuring out which UTV to place your debt on.

[redmoose]

You don't HAVE to operate in Low range at slow speeds or when towing, but you should, primarily to preserve the life of the belt. I've had my 500 to 45 mph empty, but I wouldn't want to do that loaded down or hauling the plow.

[wildbill23c]

Originally Posted by Russ Chastain

Dude, no offense but if you can't plan your spending any better than that, you have bigger problems than figuring out which UTV to place your debt on.

I was doing perfectly fine until I lost my job and went from $3,000+ a month to making $470 a month. You try having a huge loss like that and tell me you wouldn't have a problem. Seriously unless you know a person's finances you might not want to comment about it LOL . I wish I wasn't in this position trust me. I'm not in a great financial position right now but working daily on getting back on track by getting rid of things I do not need. The UTV I don't use much my mom uses it around the yard as an aid to her since she has sjogren's syndrome and doesn't have very good balance and footing to allow her to move around to easily. Got her the rhino and she was able to get out and do yard work again she started feeling better. Now after dealing with this finance company I am completely through with banks altogether. I will not purchase a new machine until I have cash in hand to do so. No more credit cards, debit cards, or bank accounts. Unfortunately I have to have an account for direct deposit with my job and the National Guard but its only a savings account which I withdraw everything each payday. I've learned my lesson on banks and credit cards and never again will I have the use for either. If I don't have the cash I simply don't need it regardless of what it is.

[wildbill23c]

Originally Posted by redmoose

You don't HAVE to operate in Low range at slow speeds or when towing, but you should, primarily to preserve the life of the belt. I've had my 500 to 45 mph empty, but I wouldn't want to do that loaded down or hauling the plow.

The guy at the local dealer told me that same thing. Kind of pointless having high/low ranger if you can't use high range unless you want to go fast. So 45mph is the top speed of the rangers? I was getting about 42mph with my rhino 700 empty if I really wanted to go that fast but without a windshield it really sucks in the cold weather to even try to drive the rhino any faster than just puttering around the yard. When I do get to where I can get my ranger I'm definitely getting the full cab package.