Does anyone have a John Deere Gator?

[disny_luvr]

DH and I are thinking about getting our twin sons a Gator for Christmas. I think they'd love it, but I just can't get over the cost. Right now it is 319.00 on walmart.com. For those that have one, is it worth the cost? Any recommendations where I can get a good deal on one?

 

[mom of 3G's]

Get it!!! We had one for the boys when they were 5 and 3 and that thing went through mud, trees, and hauled anything they could put in the box. They had so much fun with it. Now it is parked in the shed waiting for DD1 to get her turn on it. Our battery quit keeping a charge about the 2nd or 3rd year so I did buy a new battery. It is DEFINITELY worth the money!! I think I paid $288 for it back then, but I would buy it again in a heartbeat.

 

[disny_luvr]

Thanks for the quick response. I know my boys will love it too! I guess DH and I will just have to bite-the-bullet on this purchase.

 

[MickQuinn]

Well-loved and often used.

We bought a gator for our son for his 4th birthday. He used it almost every day when weather would allow. He loved loading up the back with sticks, rocks, etc.. and imitating his Dad. He also pretended the veg garden was a drive up window and would beep the horn to get his green beans and snap peas! Good times.

We paid about $280 for it and I think we got our money's worth as DS used it until he was 7. We had no issue with the battery, but we always kept the battery inside. I've heard that the batteries don't recharge well if they are exposed to low temperatures too much.

You might want to try craigslist. DS sold his for $100 and it was in great condition.

 

[NYDisneyfamily]

Totally agree with everyone. Our gator is extremely well loved and used. DS hauled everything in it and has been very helpful. He also is quite impressive in backing it up. So sad when he gets too big for it. I think he is pushing the size and weight limit now at 7 but that's not stopping him. There needs to be something inbetween this and the real gator.

 

[budbeerlady]

DD loved hers before she out grew it!!!!! It went thru anything and was indestructible. She ran into the back of our car, had her 1st car accident at 3.... Luckily nothing was hurt and she learned to take her foot off the gas.

 

[DebMcDonald]

As I'm reading this message I'm thinking how lucky those boys are that you would consider the JD Gator and that you must live on a farm or something, as my mother has the real John Deer Gator and then I realized what you were talking about.

 

[3boymthr]

As I'm reading this message I'm thinking how lucky those boys are that you would consider the JD Gator and that you must live on a farm or something, as my mother has the real John Deer Gator and then I realized what you were talking about.

Yeah, me too!

DB and I had one of the real homemade version for running around the farm when we were kids but we were older (10 & 12). Until I got the the part about the battery all I could think was what person lets a 3 & 5 yo in a vehicle with a gas engine by themselves.

The big ones are well worth the money too.

 

[Crystal824]

My nephew got his for his 4th birthday. He loves it. He is still using it and is almost 6.