I agree that the UTVs are terribly expensive compared to a Jeep or another smaller 4x4, but a Jeep isn't small enough for what I'm talking about doing. A UTV on our ranch, used loosely since we're hoping to have this 2.5 acre place purchased, would allow me to haul wood, pull a tow behind mower, bring hay bales out to horses, drive down to the lake to fish, run to neighbors houses without getting into another vehicle and I could bring it along in the trailer when we go to horse shows, etc to run between the trailer/living quarters and the arenas. I'd love to build my own, but don't recall ever really seeing anyone else do this, which makes me wonder if there is something I'm missing.
I'm also looking for a small SUV to make my grocery getter because the Honda Fit I'm currently driving is too small and is incredibly difficult to get my kid into her rear-facing seat. Can't imagine how much more difficult it will get as she gets bigger! The nice thing is this car is small, gets 30mpg regularly, is comfortable enough and is cheap to maintain....can I find a little SUV that can do most of that? A crossover? A 4 door sedan? I'd love a little diesel, but seems like VW has some of the better version, just major $$$$.
Good news is I think we are moving forward on getting the house. Working with a Regions Bank rep out of the east somewhere like North or South Carolina, weird, but working out!