If you want to carry any weight in the tray, you can't go past the JD 4 x 4 Gators, up to 450 odd kg tray capacity. When looking for one for the farm I looked at the Yamaha, Kawasaki, Can-am, and Polaris. Didn't want a petrol motor so that ruled most out, then when looking at the payloads, one as low as 215kg, the Gator just come out way in front. I can load it up, hook on a trailer and go out for a days fencing no worries.The diesel is a bit slow ( 50km/h ) if you are after a tear-ass get up and go buggy, but the petrol ( 825i ?) version is supposed to get up and go with a 71 km/h top speed.
Low range and a diff-lock, not that I've ever needed it, should get you anywhere you can sensibly go, never been able to stop mine due to terrain.
The ride quality is great, trust me, my f*cked back says so, but a bit lacking in leg room though. Economy of the diesel is awesome, I've got a 400 Yamaha Quad that drinks petrol like a V8 car on steroids, also why the 650 engine in the Yamaha put me off. Also,I run JD tractors here, so I'm a bit biased.
Have a look on Gumtree, I've seen them 2nd hand down to $7k. Personally you couldn't give me one of the Chinese P.O.S, no thanks.