First timer window shopping for a mower

[bbourdon]

"Well if you are referring to the cheap little things sold at the Big Box Stores I do not even regard those as true John Deere's"
But they are sold as real John Deeres, and you can get them at the John Deere dealerships - I almost did, until I saw reviews like these: John Deere L130 Review, Price, Information

"I think JD made a mistake trying to compete with MTD"
I would agree with you.

Problem is most manufacturers are doing this now, and (within the price range most people can afford) there is no real way to be sure that you wont be throwing money away whatever you buy.

There is no "just buy brand x and you'll be happy" - which is how I read your post. Maybe I read it wrong.

When I was looking at Deeres, after doing some homework on them, I prodded the salesmen at the John Deere dealerships and they admitted that the machines in the price range I was looking at (under $2000) were not made with the same kind of quality that most people associate with the brand.

When I asked what I should be looking at, I was steered to an X300 - for $3000. Did some research on that machine and found that it was not completely in the next level, for example it still uses the same transmission as the entry level machines. If you want an improved tranny, well you're up around $4000.

And if I drop four grand, am I going to be sure to have a very good machine, or am I going to find out that I got some mediocre motor, or frame, etc, and that I should've upgraded to model "Y"? :confused2:

When you buy a John Deere, you pay a premium for the brand. If you have the money to spend, that's fine. But it is not always the best value for the money.

To get a new John Deere that most would agree is an absolutely solid machine, I'd have to pay about what I paid for my last three cars - for a lawn mower?!?

That's just not practical for me, and I don't think it is for most people.

Good luck!
Bruce.

 

[Carl in CT]

Bruce, I agree with much of what you say. You have to get into a pretty pricey mower to feel like you bought yourself something close to worry free. Even the expensive ones aren't bullet proof anymore. I see some good used deals but they get snapped up so fast you have no shot at buying them unless you are willing to make a snap decision which I was not comfortable doing when I was shopping for a new tractor. I also agree not to lock in on a certain brand, just get a good brand like Simplicity, John Deere, Kubota, or even ExMark or Skag in the zero turns, something like that.

Where I disagree a little is when you say it's impractical to buy an expensive machine. You really do get what you pay for and cheap mowers at big box stores are just not built as well and will end up costing more in the long run which to me is the most impractical. For years I could not afford much so I get what you are saying, it just might not be possible. My advice would be to get the best you can afford and look for good used machines that didn't come from a box store. Or if you do get a used box store mower, get it really cheap and maybe you will luck out and get a few years for really short money.

 

[bbourdon]

...My advice would be to get the best you can afford and look for good used machines that didn't come from a box store. Or if you do get a used box store mower, get it really cheap and maybe you will luck out and get a few years for really short money.

Sounds like good advice to me Carl! :thumbsup:
Bruce.