[SpeedRacer]

Hi folks. Which side by side is going to work best for me? Pretty certain I have narrowed it down to either a Rzr S, or a Prowler 1000. I will be using it in the mountains and deserts of the southwest USA for backcountry exploration. I like to get out into the backcountry and go places I haven't been before; doesn't really matter where, as long as its someplace new. Traveling 100+ miles on dirt roads/trails in a day is pretty much the norm, so I need something reliable and comfortable, that will also get up and move when it needs to. My wife and three weiner dogs go with me on some trips. I will need a winch and space for basic recovery tools.

So what do you think? Which UTV is best for me?

SpeedRacer

 

[flying121]

Hello SpeedRacer

The XTZ has a much better rear cargo bed and can haul a lot of stuff into the back country rides that you plan. They are both great machines and each has it's share of problems. Do a search here and one on the RZR forums and compare the problems to see if you have the patients to sort the machine out. The axle issue with the XTZ will be fixed very soon so don't worry about that. Good luck in your UTV Quest.

 

[shawnxtz1000]

If you want as little problems as possible and 55mph is fast enough for you I would go with a Rhino
I have a xtz1000 and reliable would be the last thing I would call it, it has way to many issue they need to work through , I know nothing about rzr beside you really have to love the person next to you (close together) the Ranger I heard is reliable lots of room there, you can look around on this forum and get an idea of problems the xtz has although you will have to look at the back pages The Lyin King has wiped out any resent discussions good luck

 

[The Lyin King]

The Lyin King has wiped out any resent discussions good luck

Shawn,

Threads referenced are located in the proper sub-forum for the subject matter. Lack of concern for issues such as these will lead to the ownership of expensive "Lawn Ornaments"!

http://www.prowlerforums.net/forums...y/364-step-up-prepare-stay-home.html#post1728

 

[flying121]

I believe Shawn was just trying to be funny. It's ok to have a sense of humor. Your posts are very important so please keep them coming.

 

[The Lyin King]

I believe Shawn was just trying to be funny. It's ok to have a sense of humor. Your posts are very important so please keep them coming.

I usually try to put something like this :32: in places where I am making an attempt at humor that could be misunderstood, thank you for the clarification and nod of support for access issues.

 

[fairlane]

The RZR has barely enough room for 2 adults. It's really cramped. 2 normal size adults are shoulder to shoulder. The AC has more leg room and much more comfort. My 700 runs 55, how fast do you need to go? The 1000 still has some gremlins. I have had 0 issues with the 700 xtx.

 

[lethal5point7]

450 miles on my XTZ and no problems thus far, I love it!

 

[fairlane]

Keep your fingers crossed and good luck. I heard of many issues with the 700 but I have not had any mechanical issues just the paint and AC replaced all the plastic body parts so I can't complain. Hope you have as good of luck as I have had. I have noticed that on most of these forums it's just a bitch session. Hardly hear of the trouble free owners.

 

[Darryl89]

I've sold quite a few XTZs and not a single one of them seems to be having the problems listed. Typically, the voices you hear on these forums are the ones that are having problems, which is the same for any brand. I have a buddy that has a 2009 RZR LE and it's had air cleaner, understeer/alignment and front suspension problems since the day he's owned it. (not to mention that my 700XTX will outrun it in the rough stuff )
Best thing to do is to drive each machine, weigh the pros and cons of each and then visit with each dealer to see who you can develop a good dealer/customer relationship with. In the end run, the dealer will make the difference on the machine. If either XTZ or RZR had a problem, but the dealer takes good or bad care of you, that will ultimately be your experience.

 

[fairlane]

My friend has a rzr also and it's been in the shop a lot both frt wheel brgs, left frt spindle, right one is ready to be replaced. Put a lift on it , has the coils cranked all the way up, It rides like a truck and has about the same ground clearance as my prowler. I don't get it.

 

[SpeedRacer]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think for now I'll use this vehicle as my "side by side". It even cost less than a neighbor has spent on his Rhino.

Since my first post I have had the chance to drive a Rhino, and was underwhelmed by the lack of power. It really didn't feel like it had enough power to get out of its own way. I have sat in a RZR at the dealer, and that thing is seriously cramped. I feel like my knees are in my chest, and my tummy is only inches from the steering wheel. Me and the passenger were almost touching shoulders, and I got the impression that it would feel very crowded and cramped on all day rides. I really liked the RZR S suspension package, but that model would cost $15,100 OTD. A different neighbor has a RZR, and just took it in to the Polaris dealer to have the piston rings replaced. He had sucked dirt into the engine from a bad airbox design. Hopefully they have that one fixed by now. I test drove a Teryx 750, and it is comfortable and feels like it is the right size, but it didn't really feel any more powerful than the Rhino. I also sat in a Prowler 1000, and it feels comfortable. The fit and finish, and material quality seems cheap compared to the other side by sides though. All in all, the Prowler is still the top contender, if I don't decide to just keep using the Jeep side by side. I still need to drive a Prowler. I think it may feel more sporty, and it would be cheaper to repair than the Jeep if I end up tearing up something.

SpeedRacer

 

[fairlane]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think for now I'll use this vehicle as my "side by side". It even cost less than a neighbor has spent on his Rhino.

Since my first post I have had the chance to drive a Rhino, and was underwhelmed by the lack of power. It really didn't feel like it had enough power to get out of its own way. I have sat in a RZR at the dealer, and that thing is seriously cramped. I feel like my knees are in my chest, and my tummy is only inches from the steering wheel. Me and the passenger were almost touching shoulders, and I got the impression that it would feel very crowded and cramped on all day rides. I really liked the RZR S suspension package, but that model would cost $15,100 OTD. A different neighbor has a RZR, and just took it in to the Polaris dealer to have the piston rings replaced. He had sucked dirt into the engine from a bad airbox design. Hopefully they have that one fixed by now. I test drove a Teryx 750, and it is comfortable and feels like it is the right size, but it didn't really feel any more powerful than the Rhino. I also sat in a Prowler 1000, and it feels comfortable. The fit and finish, and material quality seems cheap compared to the other side by sides though. All in all, the Prowler is still the top contender, if I don't decide to just keep using the Jeep side by side. I still need to drive a Prowler. I think it may feel more sporty, and it would be cheaper to repair than the Jeep if I end up tearing up something.

SpeedRacer

Prowler fits in the toyhauler. And will go in tight places a jeep won't. But you are correct about the money. A lot of the trails we go on are too narrow for a jeep. Go drive a prowler before you decide.

 

[lethal5point7]

The jeep is great but these utv's fit in places that the jeep just won't fairlane is right.

Drive the XTZ, it hauls a$$.

 

[joesprowler]

hi i have joined this site for a friend that has a 08 prowler 700. he keeps breaking the pin in the front diff. he has put 3 of them in. the worse part about this problem is ot get the pin you have to buy a complete front end. which is over $700. we do not take jumps we just trail ride. yes, some trails are rough but none of the other brands have broke. we ride with all brands of SxS. i have seen on here that the front diffs on these are a problem. i own a 2009 rhino 700 and love it. it fits anywhere you want to go do to the fact it is less then 3 inches wider then the yamaha grizly 4 wheeler. i have put a 1000 miles on in 6 months and the only thing i need to do is replace the brakes. i ride in a lot of mud. i have a dynatec chip and a clutch sheve in my rhino for more top speed. it goes just about 60mph. do your homework. hate to see someone spent all that money for something they wish they never bought. good luck.

 

[SpeedRacer]

I had the chance to test drive a Rzr S last night. A person I know owns one that is now about 4 to 5 months old, and I happened to mention that I was thinking about buying one. He invited me to go for a ride with him, so we loaded his Rzr S on to his trailer and hauled it out to a nearby OHV area. I got to drive it for a full two hours, with lots of fast sand ATV trails, whoops, dirt roads, some rocky mountain passes, and even some slickrock rock crawling.

Its not too bad. It didn't feel as cramped as the one I had just sat in at the dealership. In fact, I liked the small nimble size of the Rzr S. The width and ground clearance seem well balanced. Power was "adequate"; not great, but not horribly underpowered like the Rhino and Teryx are. That parallel twin cylinder engine sure sounds dumb though. The Rzr is noisy, from the engine noise itself, the exhaust noise, and the transmission noise. Steering is ok, and steering doesn't feel too heavy, unlike a long travel Rhino I had driven before. Suspension is great on the Rzr S, with a nice soft plush ride that really lets you cover the ground in a hurry. Suspension is the high point on the Rzr S, and Polaris really seems to have this dialed in.

Ok, now I just need to track down a Prowler to test drive.

SpeedRacer

 

[airtoy]

700xtx

My 700 has been flawless so far...I ride with three Rhino owners and they all say they envey the arctic cat power and speed...it is also more stable...just wish it had as many upgrades available...I do believe they are on the way.

 

[tjmelton12]

I owned a 660 Rhino from 06-late 07, then a 650 Prowler until a week ago, and now an XTZ. I can tell you that the Rhino took a lickin and kept on tickin. So did my Prowler. I ride rather hard and like to run over and thru things. I have been well pleased with both machines. I expect that the XTZ will do the same. Tried a RZR and love the way it handles, but with a smaller tank and far less room for you and your stuff I would stick with a Prowler of some sort.