I'd lean to one of the many sport 4x4s that are out there now. I'm partial to my Scrambler 400 4x4...it's an all around good machine (as built) and has always got me where I pointed it...

 

Bah. There are just to many things a 4x4 doesn't do as well as a good sport. There is plenty they do better, and in my advanced age I am more in the 4x category, but if you want to jump, power slide, or go as fast as possible, a Ute isn't as much fun. But that's just my opinion...

 

I never owned a sport quad unless you count a Trailblazer 250 but I agree with you. Jumping a heavy 4x4 isn't much fun.

 

No different than launching a sled...I guess I'm just used to it...

 

These are some of the heavier quads of their time. 500 Sportsman and 500 ATP.

 

I know I'm a little bit late here, but the 700xx would be my choice. I've ridden just about everything at one time or another and they just don't make em like this anymore lol

 

That's one of two quads I would have considered in a 2wd because of the independent rear suspension. That and the Polaris Outlaw IRS. The Honda 700xx and Polaris Outlaw IRS both had about double the clearance of the straight axle sport quads.