A few months ago, I saw an episode of VinWiki, that went through the best options for cars under 30 thousand, and one of the options was of off-road, to get a UTV.
It kind of stuck with me.
This is 110 horsepower, 1300lbs, single center seat, and $15K new.
If you actually get the 2 or 4 seat versions of the Polaris RZR XP 1000, Can Am X3, Yamaha, Honda, and others with TURBOCHARGED 1 Liter parallel twin engines that make nearly 190hp stock, and can be tuned north of that...
Stock models retail between 20 and 30 thousand brand new, and some have active dampers, infotainment, and other automotive-like options... for vehicles that can jump sand dunes, ford water holes, climb rocks, and take fire roads faster than some people drive on the highway.
SxSBlog.com has actually put one of those tuned turbo engines in a single-seat RS1, redubbed the CF1, which can get to more than 90mph on the dirt before the CVT runs out of gearing, 0-60 in the low 3 seconds, and with slicks mounted, can pop wheelies on pavement. I am sure there are other examples, as well.
My question is... probably the obvious... government federalization and safety regulations, but why can’t there be something street legal that can be that much fun without having to be trailered even locally?
Not major highways... yeah, I get it... but even on lower-level rural roads and surface streets... something that can be a bit of a runabout, simple short-distance commuter, and can drive themselves to a track or autocross event for some motorsport fun...
Guys fit in these that are well over 6' tall, that would not fit in Miatas, not to mention that the Can Am X3 Turbos, and the RZR XP1000 Turbos weigh half what a Miata or BRZ/86 does, have more power than all but perhaps the most recent ND updated model Miata and just barely less than BRZ/86 peak horsepower, the turbo UTVs have more torque, and more tuneability, and have switchable 2WD/4WD drivetrains (albeit usually locked rear axles, and optional locking front axles for rock climbing, a street vehicle would have different differentials)
Plus the UTVs are mid-engined, have roll-cages, and some have safety harnesses, so it isn’t as if they are horribly unsafe, especially if not launching them “full send” off of a sand dune or something.
Obviously a street legal version would not be a daily driver. or a road trip car...
But when $20-30K cars have less torque, and even the lightest cars are double the weight... and something actually interesting and compelling is an average year’s salary or more... it seems like street legal affordable, simple fun is harder to come by.
Maybe the closest option that is street legal is just this... but I still wish this leaned... Can Am Ryker Rally 900. I like the Polaris UTVs... but the Polaris Slingshot is ridiculously ugly.
