I've read all the postings for the utility vehicles and narrowed my choices down to a few, but I need some help from you guys.

I need a utility vehicle to 1) ride around a paved subdivision, 2) climb up and down a steep hill to the lake dock 3) carry wood up the hill from a wood pile near the dock and 4) go on trails deep into the woods which are steep and sometimes rocky -- for fun.

I really like the look of the Rhino and Artic Cat but the forum talks about many problems with these two.

So everyone, which of these:

Polaris Ranger XP, Yamaha Rhino 660, Arctic Cat 650 Predator, or Kawasaki Mule 3010 would be better suited for these tasks for the money.

I meant Artic Cat Prowler instead of Predator

Well I have a 05' Ranger XP with 210 hours on it and I love it. Fast, hard working, most towing, and will go where most things dream. For what you discribe, it sound perfect for you.

I have an 06 660 Rhino and I know it can do all of what you wrote about. I'm hard on my stuff and so far: the dealer replaced a rear axle shaft in my second week. A CV boot spun some how??!! I broke a tail light, cracked the floor on both sides. (Log piles) My wife drives it in our creek (I'm snorkeled to the head rest) & its been over the hood a few times. I removed the side eng fan. My 2 boys 11 & 12 drive like they stole it. Yesterday I installed a black rhino cdi, I have 27" 589s, and a 4000lb. winch. I would buy another in a second!
GOOD LUCK!
RIS
DON'T BUY A USED RHINO FROM THIS MAN!

If you are looking for a trail rider, No question the Rhino. It is much smaller than the Ranger and Prowler. If you are just looking for a Work vehicle go Ranger or Mule. But for the all around machine, Ranger is the ride. The Yamaha (which I am buying in 3 weeks) has weak axles and you are sure to pop them. But it is smaller. Think of a 4 wheeler in the woods. Add 7 inches to the 4 wheeler and you have a rhino. Pretty tight for woods. Then add 7 more inches to it. Then you have a Prowler or Ranger.

The Prowler to me is a bigger Rhino with more bed capability.

The Ranger is awesome but its size is why I can not get it. Built tough, EFI, nice tires, pulling and dump bed weights and really fast. Just wide. If they came out with a 54" or smaller sXs I would buy it no question.

The Mule is slow but a great work vehicle. Has 1/2 of the fun factor.

Rhino is great. Would be perfect with EFI, better tires than the maxis that is comes with, and it needs stronger axles. WIth a Rhino it is important to configure leg minders. The machine is known to go on its side and it weighs 1000lbs+. Reflex and not wanting it to get torn up means a lot of people stick their leg down to keep it from going over. That equals hurt/broken ankles. You may know to keep your legs in but your passengers may not. Good luck.

I agree with Hornvictory on this, I have a Ranger and it is a work hourse of a machine. It will tow anything, and if you can get it in the box it will haul it. Its by no means a slouch as a trail machine, IF the trail is wide enough! Narrow trails and forget it.
We use ours for alot of what you are talking about. In the fall we have a 25' pontoon hoist and a 18' deep V hoist we pull out with the Ranger.
My 2 wheel drive truck will not pull the boats out of the water on their trailers, the launch is sand and mud. The ranger, no problem.
For more play than work go with the Rhino, if you want to work it, get a Ranger!

GET BOTH! WHAT THE HECK!
RIS