Finding The Right Side By Side
Whether you’re using it for agricultural jobs, off-roading, or hunting, a utility terrain vehicle (UTV) is an invaluable tool. Also called side by sides, these compact workhorses can do anything from plowing to hauling and beyond. But knowing which model is right for you can be difficult. With all the brands, variations, and accessories, where do you even start?Right here, of course! We at Altus Motorsports have put together some handy tips on narrowing down your side by side hunt.
If you have questions we don’t answer below, or you’re just ready to browse side by sides for sale, stop by our store in Altus, Oklahoma. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff is ready to help you find what you need.
Set A Budget
The first step in any sizable purchase is to set up a budget. Do some number-crunching to figure out how much you can reasonably spend on a UTV without impacting your lifestyle. If you don’t, it can be very easy to fall in love with a model you end up struggling to afford. Set your limits and make sure to keep your search inside that number.
If need be, consider buying a used model. UTVs depreciate fairly quickly once purchased, so even a relatively new and fancy model could be affordable as a pre-owned vehicle. If that still looks dicey, don’t hesitate to call on our financing department. We can help you figure out what’s reasonable and affordable, and help you find the right deals on loans!
What Type Of UTV Do You Want?
Side by sides come in two broad categories. There are those built for work and those built for leisure. Each group is tailor-built to a specific riding style with specifications to match. If you can narrow your search down to one of these two categories, you’ve already cut your possible selections in half!
If your side by side is going to be helping you at work, it will help you work smarter instead of harder. With incredible power and speed for the size, you can cruise across rough terrain in no time flat with much larger loads of tools, materials, or debris than if you were on foot. With their high hauling capacity, they can help you remove obstacles like boulders or tree stumps to clear an area, or just lug tools and supplies around your property. Others can be connected to a trailer for even larger loads! For a workhorse, focus on towing capacity and performance specs.
However, UTVs aren’t just tools—they can be toys, too. If you’re on the hunt for adrenaline rushes and the thrill of exploration, you’re looking for a vehicle designed for recreational riding. The focus for a vehicle like this is on high-performance capacity, comfort, and safety features. You’ll need a machine that can tackle tough terrain without slowing down at all, but which won’t leave you sore afterwards. There are also special features that can boost your experience, like terrain-specific tires, or an enclosed and climate-controlled cab.
Manufacturer & Reviews
Not all brands are created equal, and all tend to have their own specialty. Those specialties may or may not line up with your own style and priorities. If you’re ever looking into a brand you’re not familiar with, or you’re just trying to see how people like a particular model, look into online customer reviews. Individually, each review should be taken with a grain of salt, but combined they’ll show you a trend that can highlight the model’s general strengths and weaknesses. Stick with companies that manage to keep their customers happy.
Dealership And Available Services
The last step in your side by side purchase process is to figure out where to buy it from. A private seller might offer a great price, but you have no guarantee that the machine you’re buying is in the condition they promise. There may be hidden issues that will lead to large maintenance bills down the line.
A dealership, however, has a reputation to protect, and therefore an incentive to give you a fair trade. If they don’t, you can always leave a nasty online review! Dealerships also allow you to examine multiple options all at once, so you can compare any you’re stuck between. Combined with the service department a dealership tends to come with, and you’ve got more than a vehicle—you’ve got folks to take care of it!
We offer all of that and more at Altus Motorsports! We have a full service department, any parts you could want, and the financing department to make sure you can afford it all. We proudly serve the people of Amarillo, Texas, and Altus, Oklahoma—let us serve you today!