Sand Car move to UTV anyone?

Before Covid I contemplated this move for a while, at the time my buggy was probably worth 35k, while doing the math if I had picked up a Can Am, i probably would have been in for 40k plus to get it the way I wanted.  Money and I still had a Motorcycle for hard pack were the reasons I didn't do it.............................but now with covid pricing I can sell my car for 50k plus, but still wont do it................that skinny pedal is fun

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Joey keep your rail for the dunes. 

For the desert go find a used XP1000 or even a Wildcat XX.  There are deals on used SXSs.  My friend just picked up a nice 4 seat XP1000 for under $17,500(cage, seats, suspension was done and a long list of upgrades).  You don't need a turbo SXS to go have fun in the dirt. 

 
This for me was more of a life choice decision. I have built and owned more than 50 sand cars ranging from VW to big LS cars. Bought, sold, and traded my way up over the years. I always gravitated towards Glamis (sand) and preffered Sand cars for that experience. As I got older with more responsibilities, my time to go to the desert reduced. I spent so much time and money building and maintaining my cars that the enjoyment shifted. I wanted to still go but didn't have as much time to prep and go. The places that I liked to go were farther away. I needed a simpler plan and the SXS made more sence. I could still get my desert "fix". The driving experience is different, but I still get to go. It has also saved me money in the long run. SXS actually seam to hold there value pretty well. I have also got to experience allot of different machines and pick wich ones I like best while not breaking the bank.   

 
I love fighting the easy button. Sure, I can just sign and drive too but I know I'd be double the money into a SxS than where I'm at in my LS1 2 seat rail. Just sounds amazing! That said, I think I'm starting to see more sandrails out there! Sweet! 

20220129_111455.jpg

 
Dune-Track-N said:
Even my old BEAM car is 100% better then a SxS in the dunes. No replacement and I want a rail back so bad....

but.... the SxS is 100% more vestal and used.
Click to expand...
My buggy is a mid-travel beam car (single shock front, bypasses/coils rear) powered by turbo Nissan 4-banger (the venerable SR20DET).  Switch back and forth fairly often.  Other than mashing the monster whoops at the bottom of Olds or from Sand Highway to Olds (which I only drive through in the Jeep or if someone broke), the buggy is better in every way.  Fully tuned suspension and motor like my buddy's or stock like my wife's, buggy is better in all phases of the dunes themselves except trying to start uphill. :biggrin:  

 
Last edited by a moderator:
If all you do is sand...there is no way a sxs will compare to a rail.

However, if you want to do more than just sand...then a sxs is the versatile choice.

If you ride Dirt bikes and all you do is ride track....Don't get a dual sport! Sure you could ride it on a track but it's gonna suck...but you can go every other place as well as on the street.

It's all in what you want to do and where you want to go!

There is no WRONG choice if it is your choice!

 
I sold my SCU and bought a SXS....the SXS has it's advantages, easy (low cost) maintenance, versatility and a good time.....but not going to lie, I miss a big HP Sand Car...going from a big HP Sand Car to a SXS is not an easy transition, you have to re-learn how you navigate the dunes and realize it's just a SXS! 

But, if your group is mostly SXS then your rides can be a blast....it all depends on the individual and your group!  

 
Sand Shark said:
Remove that spare tire.   No need to carry that extra weight around in the dunes.  
Click to expand...
I did. Shock therapy guy told me the same thing when I asked him where I should start with settings for the dunes. I will say I am pretty impressed by what this thing can do in the dunes. Even on knobbies. With that said not even close to the Funco as far as power and sliding with g-forces. I wish I could get the buggy to ride as smooth though. Huge difference in the chop. Way smoother. I do feel limited on visibility in the Can-Am as well. Railing around a steep Dune trying to see around the corner is blocked whereas the buggy has a lot better visibility. Feel very lucky to have this as a backup and can still have fun. I don't even feel like I need to buy paddles for it as much as I will probably use it out here. I'm sure some of the steep stuff over by China Wall would be tough without the extra traction.

 
i got both every time the rzr goes in the dunes something breaks axels clutches belts turbo fire tierod ends ball joints loose wheel bearings just seem not to hold up like a sand car.  the sand car is generally good gas and oil changes and you get better faster ride a lot more power and 5 times the amount of gas. the rzr is a great time out of the dunes just don't think they are designed strong enough for someone that driven a car a lot the suspension in the isn't bad but you have to slow for a lot of stuff that you would just carry the speed through with the car.  

 
  • Like
Reactions: JBL
onanysunday said:
I did. Shock therapy guy told me the same thing when I asked him where I should start with settings for the dunes. I will say I am pretty impressed by what this thing can do in the dunes. Even on knobbies. With that said not even close to the Funco as far as power and sliding with g-forces. I wish I could get the buggy to ride as smooth though. Huge difference in the chop. Way smoother. I do feel limited on visibility in the Can-Am as well. Railing around a steep Dune trying to see around the corner is blocked whereas the buggy has a lot better visibility. Feel very lucky to have this as a backup and can still have fun. I don't even feel like I need to buy paddles for it as much as I will probably use it out here. I'm sure some of the steep stuff over by China Wall would be tough without the extra traction.
Click to expand...
How many times have your reached for the turning brake that is not there or smashed the throttle on a little riser waiting for the wheelie?  LOL!

It is funny when we are out with the rails (Dave and company) they feel the chop and cross ruts and in my X3 I barely feel them.  

Have fun out there!

 
Sand Shark said:
How many times have your reached for the turning brake that is not there or smashed the throttle on a little riser waiting for the wheelie?  LOL!

It is funny when we are out with the rails (Dave and company) they feel the chop and cross ruts and in my X3 I barely feel them.  

Have fun out there!
Click to expand...
LOL. Yeah it is way different for sure. I love my turning brake!

 
The old adage "With age comes cage"   Usually gets replaced with "With Depends comes SxS"  or "Its Drivin' Miss Daisy time"  when we talk to people that have made the choice to move to an SxS  from a fast sand Car. 

For me it comes down to life choices - Not everyone SHOULD own a sand car.  There is a certain responsibility you should respect with lots of HP.  and a certain level of unexpected cost compared to manageable (monthly) SxS cost

If changing your own oil is pretty hard - you should own a SxS, sandcars can get very expensive if you send them out to be maintained

Modern SxS's are Not slow  and they are "real cars"  like prius's are real cars, but so are Mustang GTs and Ferrari's, they  are all fun and for some they are alot safer.

After having the entire "next generation"  in my group all grow up to get SxS' I have been exposed to alot of them and having a few over 65's in the group moving to them, we have even more ...

I have a  pretty High HP low weight sand car the soaks up everything as well or better than "any" or most SxS -  the good drivers in the high end SxS's dune just as fast as I "feel comfortable" duning  - but when I want to "get it" or decide to hammer the flats or just wheelie all day  ... I can, they can't

A great example was this weekend  - we had some great runs  - comfortable, kinda laid back fast and smooth runs ...  at one break the guys in the Turbo Rzr  and Turbo Canned Ham got out and high five'd and said "man we were "getting it" and they were saying how fast the run was and how hard they were working. 

The guys in the sand cars were thinking (me too) what a great relaxed run that was.     

It reminded me (you old people might know what this is)  back in my youth we had Malibu Grand Prix  -  and it was fun - I wanted the fastest times and worked so hard  - but I was not Paul Tracy  and they were not Indy cars  -  Thats how I think of SxS's vs sand cars now

or maybe its like living in CA and you move to Iowa  - you can still live - you might miss the beach ...

either way  - get out there and go have fun

 
Last edited by a moderator:
SXS have GREAT suspension.. and that's about it... if you want POWER.. gotta stick with a sand car IMO

abc.jpg

sand car.jpg

abc 2.jpg

 
Meter Tech said:
I sold my SCU and bought a SXS....the SXS has it's advantages, easy (low cost) maintenance, versatility and a good time.....but not going to lie, I miss a big HP Sand Car...going from a big HP Sand Car to a SXS is not an easy transition, you have to re-learn how you navigate the dunes and realize it's just a SXS! 

But, if your group is mostly SXS then your rides can be a blast....it all depends on the individual and your group!  
Click to expand...
Dude.. didn't know you sold yours.. we used to dune the SCUs together.. almost 10 years ago... 

 
Fullthrottleguy said:
The old adage "With age comes cage"   Usually gets replaced with "With Depends comes SxS"  or "Its Drivin' Miss Daisy time"  when we talk to people that have made the choice to move to an SxS  from a fast sand Car. 

For me it comes down to life choices - Not everyone SHOULD own a sand car.  There is a certain responsibility you should respect with lots of HP.  and a certain level of unexpected cost comared to manageable (monthly) SxS cost

If changing your own oil is pretty hard - you should own a SxS, sandcars can get very expensive if you send them out to be maintained

Modern SxS's are Not slow  and they are "real cars"  like prius's are real cars, but so are Mustang GTs and Ferrari's, they  are all fun and for some they are alot safer.

After having the entire "next generation"  in my group all grow up to get SxS' I have been exposed to alot of them and having a few over 65's in the group moving to them, we have even more ...

I have pretty High HP low weight sand car the soaks up everything as well or better than "any" or most SxS -  the good drivers in the high end SxS's dune just as fast as I "feel comfortable" duning  - but when I want to "get it" or decide to hammer the flats or just wheelie all day  ... I can, they can't

A great example was they weekend  - we had some great runs  - comfortable, kinda laid back fast and smooth runs ...  at one break the guys in the Turbo Rzr  and Turbo Canned Ham got out and high five'd and said "man we were "getting it" and they were saying how fast the run was and how hard they were working. 

The guys in the sand cars were thinking (me too) what a great relaxed run that was.     

It reminded me (you old people might know what this is)  back in my youth we had Malibu Grand Prix  -  and it was fun - I wanted the fasted times and worked so hard  - but I was not Paul Tracy  and they were not Indy cars  -  Thats how I think of SxS's vs sand cars now

or maybe its like living in CA and you move to Iowa  - you can still live - you might miss the beach ...

either way  - get out there and go have fun
Click to expand...
i think you on to something there in 15 yrs when im 65 I will probably be fine with taking it down a notch and just go out for a Sunday drive in the dunes. but by then im sure the sxs will have progressed to surpass most sand rails. but for now i feel alot safer in the rail and have the power to get me out of trouble.

 
Jersey_Jeff73 said:
i think you on to something there in 15 yrs when im 65 I will probably be fine with taking it down a notch and just go out for a Sunday drive in the dunes. but by then im sure the sxs will have progressed to surpass most sand rails. but for now i feel alot safer in the rail and have the power to get me out of trouble.
Click to expand...
I will say that EVERY one in my group that moved to a SxS from a fast rail has either Endo'd the SxS or rolled it and these are all "high end" SxS's and the drivers all had sand cars for over 10 years and usually did in the SxS first of second trip. Best was 10 minutes from camp, first trip  watching a turbo two seat Canned Ham endo'ing    -  their is a different skill set required, or maybe we rely on "when in doubt gas it out" too much.  But limited visibility, too much loose suspension action, narrow track. High center of Gravity ( thats always bad) and just the feeling of its "slower so safer"  makes them confident ...

Luckily everyone had all the safety equipment and insurance  - because the repairs were always $$$

I am holding out til 70 to move to a SxS if they still them in a few years and I make it that long

 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top