New riding mower on a budget; thoughts?

[Ric]

I don't have a hang up with Briggs engines. I owned them all my life and have had very good luck with them, and we're talking more than 10, not just 2 or 3. Briggs parts are more easily found, but with the internet, even Kawasaki parts are available everywhere. As far as the price of parts, I do know Kawasaki ignition system parts are higher. You said the 1042KW is a $2,000 mower......that may be the MSRP, but I can assure you that mower can be had for $1,400.

I doubt seriously you can buy the 1042KW for much less than the $1999. You may get it from a dealer for a little less but not much. It has the Kawasaki engine so there not going to deal much on that mower. You can probably get the KH model for $1799 it also has the 22hp V twin but it's the Kohler which is one of the better engines on the market at present time. If you want a cheaper price tag you'll have to drop back to the single Cylinder model LTX1040 @ $1399 or maybe the LTX 1045@ $1699.There all good mowers.

 

[mullins87]

I doubt seriously you can buy the 1042KW for much less than the $1999. You may get it from a dealer for a little less but not much. It has the Kawasaki engine so there not going to deal much on that mower. You can probably get the KH model for $1799 it also has the 22hp V twin but it's the Kohler which is one of the better engines on the market at present time. If you want a cheaper price tag you'll have to drop back to the single Cylinder model LTX1040 @ $1399 or maybe the LTX 1045@ $1699.There all good mowers.

I have no doubt you know the market, and I'm not disputing what you're saying. However, I do know of at least one person that has purchased a 1042KW for $1,400. It was purchased earlier this summer by a guy that I share an office with and we have worked together for 10+ years.:confused3:

 

[Ric]

I have no doubt you know the market, and I'm not disputing what you're saying. However, I do know of at least one person that has purchased a 1042KW for $1,400. It was purchased earlier this summer by a guy that I share an office with and we have worked together for 10+ years.:confused3:

I'm not doubting you at all. The reason I say that about the KW is because I know Kawasaki doesn't normally give breaks on their engines like others do and the dealer doesn't normally have a lot to play with in money to give much of a discount, they don't have the mark up on the mowers with the Kawasaki engines like they do with Kohler. Same thing with Echo stuff VS Stihl, I can always get a lot more of a discount on Echo than Stihl.

 

[motoman]

Without the sampling the pros have I would not choose Briggs due to quality problems with mine. We see the consumer reports on reliability with cub cadet at the lower end. So is this a nerd report, or real?

 

[mullins87]

I'm not doubting you at all. The reason I say that about the KW is because I know Kawasaki doesn't normally give breaks on their engines like others do and the dealer doesn't normally have a lot to play with in money to give much of a discount, they don't have the mark up on the mowers with the Kawasaki engines like they do with Kohler. Same thing with Echo stuff VS Stihl, I can always get a lot more of a discount on Echo than Stihl.

Well, maybe my buddy caught the dealer either drunk (my dad has done that) or needing money very badly, he paid cash for the mower. Back several years ago dad was looking to buy a new bass boat. He had been looking mainly at aluminum boats as the price is usually lower than the nicer fiberglass boats. He happened to stop by a dealership to ask about the price of a fiberglass boat with a particular size motor. The price the guy shot him was several thousand lower than other comparable fiberglass boats. He bought it on the spot! When we went back to pick it up, the dealer confided to dad that he had qouted him the wrong price. I noticed a partial case of whiskey in the corner of his office!

 

[itguy08]

Without the sampling the pros have I would not choose Briggs due to quality problems with mine. We see the consumer reports on reliability with cub cadet at the lower end. So is this a nerd report, or real?

I trust nothing Consumer Reports says. They are out to make money just like everyone else and personal experience often goes against their "surveys".

 

[briggs]

here in Canada we have mtd mowers that are the cheap ones u can get a new one for a fare price from the big box stores if u take care of them the last ok for what they are

 

[motoman]

IMO some of the consumer report stuff is ok, but sorting it is the hard part. A lot depends on how the survey questions are phrased and how long they keep asking the same question (product life). I have answered their inquiries on products . They stopped asking after year 3. A recent tire test looked totally bogus. They raved about Michelin Alpines for snow traction. I have a set that will not bite snow over 3 inches. I once followed a transparent deck stain life test. The brand type disappeared after two years with no explanation.

 

[Terry CleanFuel]

I may be biased but Kawasaki is hard to beat. Honda is good but, again, over rated.

The reason I am biased is because Kawasaki Motor Co. shells out a bunch of money every year to update dealer Mechanics on their product. That and their warranty is one of the best. Toro is good too.

FWIW I hope Kohler starts minding their business. QC is not what it should be.

YMMV

 

[mullins87]

Ric, I owe you an apology......so let me sit down with my plate of crow and start feasting. I asked my buddy at work today just to be sure I was telling his story correctly. He looked at another mower that he was able to negotiate down to $1,400, but it wasn't the KW, he paid $1,700 for the 1042KW. :ashamed: Still a pretty good deal from what you're telling me though, just not as good as I thought. Again, I apologize.