Hey folks, I was just out at a local dealer this past weekend and purchased a 2018 UXV 450i base model.
They had a couple units (a red, a blue and a Prime edition) out on the showroom floor and another red and an LE that was still in the back in the crate. I test drove one of the units they had out front (a blue base model) and decided to purchase the red one in the back, because they had already set the red unit on the floor up with a winch, windshield and plow kit. So, I'll be headed back this Saturday to pick up the unit. I am pretty excited!
First off, I want to thank you guys on the forum for helping me make my decision to give the KYMCO a try. I was in the market for a smaller side-by-side for hunting, some recreational use and chores around the property and plowing snow in the winter. My requirements going in were pretty simple: had to be a compact unit (less than 60 inches total width) that would fit on my 6x8 utility trailer; had to have a useful dump bed and respectable towing capacity; had to have enough off-road capability to have some fun; and had to be a decent "value" for the price. Going in, I honestly figured I'd end up with a Kawasaki Mule SX 4x4 XC SE. There's no doubt that's a solid unit, and if you haggle some, you can get your hands on one for not too much more than you'd pay for the Kymco. But, in the end, I just decided the 25 mph top speed on the Mule SX was a deal breaker. Between that and the relatively meager off-road capability, I just wasn't sure the Mule SX would check the "fun" box for me -- even though I am positive it would be a bullet-proof machine.
I really didn't know anything about the Kymco when I started shopping, but after seeing some good reviews of the UXV 450i from the off-road websites and then discovering this forum, I decided to give the Kymco units a hard look. Then, in a stroke of good timing, Kymco launched its free extended warranty program for leftover 2017 and 2018 units on March 1 that is giving me a 36-month extended warranty, on top of the standard 12-month factory warranty. So, all in all, I am getting four years of warranty coverage on this machine, which really helped me make my decision. The local dealer also marked the base units down to $7,600, and I was able to haggle down a little more and got the unit for $7,400. I thought that was a pretty good price for a brand new unit with FOUR YEARS of warranty coverage - I know the cost of the three-year extended warranty alone is over $500. I've seen some base model units listed for a little less (mainly down South), but I don't think it was a bad price by any means. Bottom line, I had a budget of about $8,000 out the door, and I was able to do that with tax and state title/registration fees included. So, all in all, I was pretty happy. The best price I had negotiated on a Kawasaki Mule SX XC SE (the top trim level) was $8,387. Let's assume I could have gotten it for $8,000 -- you'd still have to add tax, title and registration to that and I am not sure at the end of the day it is as capable a machine as the UXV 450i. The dealer also tried to sell me on some accessories, but I passed. It just seemed like the value was in the base machine, and when you factored in what they wanted to charge for the add-ons and installation, it was really just padding their bottom line for a lot more than I can add those things myself once I get the machine home.
Now, for some advice from you guys. When I test drove the unit last weekend, the machine ran fine under power. It had good power and the steering was smooth. But if you just sat in the machine idling, it would sometimes stall. This probably happened four or five times. I wasn't that concerned, because I knew the machine had been sitting around quite a bit, and the salesman said it is common problem with a show floor machine that just gets turned on and off regularly and not driven much, which he said fouls the plug. He also told me that the UXV 450i has a reputation for running a bit "rich" during the first 100 miles and that I would likely notice a much smoother engine after the break-in period. He also suggested that when I get the machine home and begin using it that I let the engine warm up for several minutes before driving. After starting, he said waiting until you hear the cooling fan come on for the first time is a good indicator that the engine is up to temperature.
So, for you guys out there who already own and use one of these units, does what this dealer told me make sense to you and match your experience with the machine? Based on everything I've read here, it seems most of you consider these machines to be reliable workhorses that can really take a licking and keep in ticking. And, based on your experiences, I am counting on the same! I know you're supposed to change the oil after the first 100 miles, per the owner's manual, but I was wondering if you have any other specific advice or things to watch out for as I begin using the machine. Obviously, I am excited to get it home and start riding, but I also want to get familiar with the machine and spend some time going over it and getting a good handle on how to properly maintain it. Any insights you guys can offer is appreciated. Thanks in advance, and I'll try to post some pictures one I get the machine home and put a little mud on the tires!
