Don't want to start an argument .............but ?

[rodp]

I know these questions can cause what could be described as a heated argument, and that's something I don't want. So, can we keep it civilised gents please.

Question is, and I genuinely don't know, what would you rate as the best AATV still in production ?
Marks out of ten for

Build quality ?
Reliability ?
Fit for purpose ? (does it's job well, gets around)
Just nice to drive ?

This is bog standard, no tracks, no conversions, as it left the factory.

[thebuggyman1]

I think you are going to have a hard time getting the type of answers that you want.....

Build Quality: They are all well built machines. Argo seems to have a thicker hull/bulkier frame than Max. This makes the machine heavier, so in turn it takes heavier/stronger components to handle the additional forces. Take axles for example, Weight X Speed = Force when hitting a bump(or worse)= bent axle. Put in a bigger axle, then the frame could bend, so beef up the frame= more weight = more force........see where this is going?

Reliability: Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance! All are reliable right from the factory. Chains wear, bearings wear, and to a lesser extent, sprockets wear too.
Lube things well and often and your problems will be minimal.

Fit for Purpose: What purpose? Commercial daily use? Recreational occasional use? A small MaxII will dodge trees in the woods far better than an Avenger, but will not carry the additional gear/people that the 8 wheeler can. You can't compare a sports car to a pickup truck.

Nice to drive: 8 wheels and a longer wheelbase = bumps get smoothed out better. 8 wheelers are also slower, so less bumpy there too. Some people like the "T" bar on the Argos, but many like the additional control of 2 sticks. I think Mudd-Ox would probably top this catagory, with hydraulic drive, instant counter -rotation, 8 wheels...it's a large, but nimble machine. Watch the video here http://www.6x6world.com/forums/trail...tml#post129289 at about 9;50 in an OX is playng in some real slippery mudd.

This all really boils down to personal preference. Maybe you could plan a vacation and attend one of the group rides. That way you could check out the machines first hand.

[Groundhog]

Excellent reply, Really!

That should be used as the standard reply for such questions.

[locolouie]

ive not had enough experince yet to answer this ,only driven my conquest once, tomorrow should be twice as my son and i are heading to bundy hill, but thebuggyman1 seem to give a good reply

[Twizted1]

In my opinion and from my experience of buying things in general. I would say find something g that fits your purpose & check it out thoroughly. Read a thread about a mudox on here not to long ago. Brand new had problems. Might have been the only one to roll off the line with such a problem. I have owned several Ford trucks. Bought a brand new one, had 64 miles on it. I have had it back to the dealer with problems several time. Even new can break, wear, and surprise. Really to me tho, any aatv that is in running is the best aatv. They all ROCK!

[jpswift1]

There really is no machine that is the best overall. There are machines that are the better than others at performing certain tasks, but if you want something that is the best overall, you simply can't go out and buy that machine........you could either build it into the machine that best suits your needs or just find one that has the best qualities that fit what you will do most with it.

[Shawn H]

I think you are going to have a hard time getting the type of answers that you want.....

Build Quality: They are all well built machines. Argo seems to have a thicker hull/bulkier frame than Max. This makes the machine heavier, so in turn it takes heavier/stronger components to handle the additional forces. Take axles for example, Weight X Speed = Force when hitting a bump(or worse)= bent axle. Put in a bigger axle, then the frame could bend, so beef up the frame= more weight = more force........see where this is going?

Reliability: Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance! All are reliable right from the factory. Chains wear, bearings wear, and to a lesser extent, sprockets wear too.
Lube things well and often and your problems will be minimal.

Fit for Purpose: What purpose? Commercial daily use? Recreational occasional use? A small MaxII will dodge trees in the woods far better than an Avenger, but will not carry the additional gear/people that the 8 wheeler can. You can't compare a sports car to a pickup truck.

Nice to drive: 8 wheels and a longer wheelbase = bumps get smoothed out better. 8 wheelers are also slower, so less bumpy there too. Some people like the "T" bar on the Argos, but many like the additional control of 2 sticks. I think Mudd-Ox would probably top this catagory, with hydraulic drive, instant counter -rotation, 8 wheels...it's a large, but nimble machine. Watch the video here http://www.6x6world.com/forums/trail...tml#post129289 at about 9;50 in an OX is playng in some real slippery mudd.

This all really boils down to personal preference. Maybe you could plan a vacation and attend one of the group rides. That way you could check out the machines first hand.

This is very good answer!
I think each maker was look at niche market when they were at the design board. And the market of that times. Also what the others were making at the time, to make there machine stand out from others.

[rodp]

So, what we're saying here is, so long as it suits your purpose, there is no best of the bunch. There isn't a "yes it costs twice as much but the quality is superb" atv out there (if there was I wouldn't buy it). There's not one that outshines all the others for quality or, I suppose for want of a better description, traction?

At least we didn't get the heated exchanges you get on other forums, makes a very pleasant change, thanks guys.

[jpswift1]

6X6World is one of the best forums I belong to. The tightest knit group of people out there if you ask me. There's no real machine that really is twice the cost of another one with twice the quality. All the machines built today are very good.

[JohnF]

...

[hydromike]

ATMP - Supacat

[jpswift1]

ATMP - Supacat

[phabib]

Being an engineer I know first hand how all design decisions are a series of tradeoffs and optimizing for a particular set of goals, often at the expense of others. I'm glad to see that this discussion has not turned into a mine is better, yours is trash set of posts. I'm looking for my first 6x6. The use will be occasional recreational use. I don't need or want to go particularly fast. I would be mostly in the mountains so I'm hoping for some snow use as well as trails. I doubt I'd go into water much. I would like to stick to the major brands. I don't mind an older machine. Is there a machine that stands out for that kind of use, or on the flip side, one that I should avoid? So far, I have decided the Terra Tiger is not for me. It isn't a major brand and the use of clutches to turn doesn't strike me as particularly robust. Opinions?

[jpswift1]

It sounds like a Max would work very well for you. It has the tried and true T-20 transmission that has been relatively unchanged since 1969, a Briggs, Kohler, or Kawasaki 4 stroke engine which are all easy to get parts for and run a long, long time, and parts and service advice is readily available here. If you find a vintage machine like a Hustler, Attex (2nd gen or later with a T-20), or Swamp Fox, those would all be excellent choices. Some machines to avoid, well, there's a long list of those, but some of those on that list would include machines like a Terra Tiger, Scrambler, Sierra Trail Boss, and Amphicat.

[JohnF]

I like the wheelbase of an 8x8 for hill climbing. What do you mean by clutches to turn? Pretty much all of the modern common brands talked about here but the Mudd-Ox use brakes to turn.