OH WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DEALER MAKES!!!
I feel like a woman purchasing a handbag. "I'm going shopping for a new handbag and I know exactly what I want. Oh my, look at the new designs! I like this one, no, I like this one, OK, I'm going to buy this one, no, I've changed my mind and I want this one."
Anyway, long story short:
I spent some time with both the JD and CC dealers today. Both dealers are appx. ten miles from my home and within two miles of each other on the same road. I first went to the CC dealer. Upon informing him of which model I wanted, which was the XT2 LX46, he immediately tried to sell me the more expensive XT3 model and several attachments. I declined. He then informed me that the Kawasaki engines in the XT2 LX46 were being replaced with Kohlers because Kawasaki couldn't keep up with the CC production demand. Quite frankly, I think that's BS. Personally, I think the real reason is that CC wants to increase the profit level on this particular model. I just don't see a situation where Kawasaki can't meet demand. He also seemed to be more concerned with who was coming in the front door and what another salesman was telling a customer than he was with me. He informed me that there would be a $50.00 delivery charge for a curb dropoff, no checking that everything was assembled and adjusted properly and no instructions on the operation of the lawn tractor. The dealer has a full service and parts department. Bottom line? This dealer is more interested in sales than what the customer wants or needs. I made the decision right then and there to scratch him off my list and to proceed to the JD dealer. In all fairness, I think that there are certainly CC dealers out there who would be better than this one and care more about the customer than sales figures but the other CC dealers are substantially farther from my home.
I told the JD dealer that I was interested in four models, the D130, D140, D155 and S240 Sport. The D155 and S240 sport are new models for 2015. I informed him that I would be mowing between one half and three fourths of an acre with no pulling logs or rocks in a trailer and no snow plowing or blowing. He immediately informed me that the D130, which comes with a B&S 22HP V-Twin engine is all I need for the size of my lawn. We discussed attachments and mulching blades/kits only after I inquired about them. The D130 has a two blade deck, manual PTO and a 42 inch cut. I believe it also has the standard seat. A front bumper is included. It retails for $1899. The D140 has the same B&S engine but comes with a three blade deck, an electronically engaged PTO, a 48 inch cut and a better, high-back seat. It retails for $1999. A front bumper is not included with the D140 and sells for $79. The D155 has a 24HP B&S ELS V-Twin, a three blade deck, electronic PTO and a 48 inch cut. It retails for $2199. The S240 sport is a very nice lawn tractor. The dealer tells me that the S240 Sport is an upgrade from the 100 Series and comes with a three years or 250 hours warranty, a Kawasaki 18 HP V-Twin engine, electronic PTO, two blade deck, a 42 inch cut and an open bottom, high-back seat. It retails for $2499.
The dealer informed me that the lawn tractor would be delivered free of charge, all specs would be checked, any needed adjustments made, instructions in the use of it would be given and all questions answered. Any pickup and delivery during and after the warranty period would be $50 per pickup and delivery back to the house. He made no effort to steer me to a more expensive model, did not attempt to sell me any attachments and informed me that the standard blade was an enhanced blade that would do a good job of mulching the grass if I decided to add the mulching cover, which can be purchased as a stand alone product or with better mulching blades. The mulching cover is $27.98 or $33.50, depending on the width of the cut. He also has dedicated mulching blades for around $17/18 each. Bottom line? The dealer was more interested in my needs and desires than pushing the sale and attempting upgrades. The dealer has a full service and parts department.
So, I've decided that I'll buy either the D140 or the S240 Sport. I just got off the phone with someone in the dealer's service department and he tells me that both decks have ball bearings and grease fittings. However, he stated that if money isn't a problem I should seriously consider the S240 Sport. He tells me that the Kawasaki engine is much better, has more torque, runs quieter and will last longer than the B&S and generally speaking, the S240 is a much better lawn tractor than any of the D Series models. Although he didn't mention it, I would also gain one year and 130 hours with the better warranty (2 years/120 hours versus 3 years/250 hours), have a better seat and get a heavy duty front bumper with it, so that will actually reduce the comparison price by about $200, in effect making a final cost difference between the two models of about $250. The question I have is whether or not a three blade deck is more balanced than a two blade deck, reducing any vibration. I realize that maintaining a three blade deck will be more expensive than a two blade deck but if there's no noticeable vibration reduction the S240 would save me money on maintenance and replacement blades in the long run. It doesn't matter to me if I end up with a 42 inch or 48 inch cut. I know that the D140 uses a T40 transmission and the S240 Sport uses the K46. I'm leaning in the direction of the S240. The S240 Sport is probably as close as I can get to the higher quality X300, which has a stronger frame and a nicer seat, without actually buying the X300.
Thanks again for all your time and assistance and your knowledge based on your prior and current experiences. I appreciate it very much. Sorry about the "long story short". I lied.
