Jeep vs. Gator vs. ATV

Which would you pick? My brother is going Gator. I say a Jeep makes more sense since it can be used to run into town, but we may leave the truck up there year round which would negate that need.

We have a budget of about $5,000 for a utility vehicle. This will be used for cleaning the beach, raking the beach, moving boats around the property, and launching Waverunners and possibly small boats.

All the boats/waverunners that this will be launching can be and have been launched by hand in the past. It is on a sandy beach, and it will need to be able to get up 10-30 feet of soft sand and a small incline with no running start. Ability to go into up 1-2 feet of water would be very nice, but not necessary.

I think we've ruled out the ATV's (4 wheelers) just because they seem like a Gator without a bed, and we're not taking it on trails or anything.

Any suggestions as to what you would pick, and why?

I don't like the Gator very much. For the money I'd go with an old Jeep.

Gators don't seem to hold up very well in my experience.

I'd go Jeep as well, but that's because I find them interesting and Gators and ATV's are boring to me. In reality a Gator or and ATV would probably be easier to live with for tooling around the yard and beach.

Sidekick or Tracker get my vote.

I'd rather have a jeep. 5k is in jeep TJ or older territory (down to flat fenders). The old ones are easy to fix, pretty bulletproof. A sammy could do the trick too.

Or just an old pickup. How about an 80s Toyota or a Ranger? Pick your favorite small pickup. Way more load space than a Jeep or Gator, not to mention cheaper too. You could easily fit a winch into your budget along with some decent wheels/tires for the beach.

I went with a 47 CJ-2a when i wanted a toy. It has been alot of fun, and gets way more interest from people than a gator. plus 5k can buy a pretty nice old jeep.

Gatorize a Sidekick/Tracker

This started life as a 4 door Tracker.

I love gators, they are great at a lot of things, but I dont think they are the answer here. They are rear engined with very little ground clearance, so backing them into two feet of water would turn out bad. It will either suck in water, or the giant tires might just float the rear end. With no front brakes a floating rear end means rolling into the lake.

Samurai

whatever you can get 4wd and cheap.

This is in your budget...

http://southbend.craigslist.org/cto/5238058028.html

In reply to MrJoshua:

Just came here to tell mtn he needs to buy my 2-door soft top Vitara.

Yeah seems more like old suv would be a better choice than a gator. Much more versatile.

Agnew wrote: Yeah seems more like old suv would be a better choice than a gator. Much more versatile.

A pounded ford explorer or Grand Cherokee, with right tires, would fit this easily.

parts are probably cheaper for either of those than a gator

Something like this, minus the dog box. Go anywhere, do anything, and they can be had for $3K.

Sand won't faze it, 3' of water won't faze it. It will launch a boat, tow a trailer, do just about anything you need it to.

Kubota makes a gator that outgators the gators? Would do everything well and be cheaper long term for maintenance.

I am amazed at what utility/AT vehicles sell for. I think the old Jeep/4x4 makes a lot more sense. I mean unless you are looking for a fun toy.

Kei truck!

mtn wrote: Which would you pick? My brother is going Gator. I say a Jeep makes more sense since it can be used to run into town, but we may leave the truck up there year round which would negate that need. We have a budget of about $5,000 for a utility vehicle. This will be used for cleaning the beach, raking the beach, moving boats around the property, and launching Waverunners and possibly small boats. All the boats/waverunners that this will be launching can be and have been launched by hand in the past. It is on a sandy beach, and it will need to be able to get up 10-30 feet of soft sand and a small incline with no running start. Ability to go into up 1-2 feet of water would be very nice, but not necessary. I think we've ruled out the ATV's (4 wheelers) just because they seem like a Gator without a bed, and we're not taking it on trails or anything. Any suggestions as to what you would pick, and why?

My opinion

1. Old CJ with PTO - hey you said utility
2. Wrangler/Sammy/Amigo/Motereo/Sidekick/anything anyone built to compete with the Wrangler based on price, condition, and whatever your button is (my personal favorite is a TJ here, Walmart Goodyear Wrangler tires and it rides like a dream (P not LT)).
3. Kei Truck - might need extra seating though
4. New Gator/Razor/Rhino
5. Old style Gator/Mule/4 wheeler - Honda Foreman is a beast.

EDIT: If you need a Kei Truck with extra seating, what about a Subaru Baja?

EDIT AGAIN: If you want really cheap, why not a Cherokee?

As a Jeep lover I vote Jeep. It will do all the things you have listed, for example we use mine to regularly tow a 17' bass tracker up and down slippery boat ramps, plus the top and doors come off for that awesome beach vehicle mode....

I'm not sure on finding parts for the Samis or the Gators, but Jeep parts are stupid cheap, and available everywhere.

XJ Cherokee or ZJ Grand. Best deal for the money, can't kill 'em reliable. Got over 213K on my ZJ and it still running like a new one. 4.0 I6 may not be the most muscular engine, but it makes great torque and will still be running when humans are long gone from this planet, I believe.

I've never understood why folks spend the huge $$$ they do on gators and such when there are so many better alternatives that are actual vehicles....

This thing will go as deep in the water as you want, and sand is no problem at all, but they don't have much power for towing.

$5K gets you a really nice Big Boss ATV. Plenty of power, tow hitch, small dump bed, fun when not working.