if you buy used, you "might" have issues/problems with it and it might take time for certain issues/problems to present themselves if at all, therefore "could" leave you high and dry in the middle of snowblowing a drive @ 0* outside..... If you buy new,(from a dealer) you'll have the comfort of having a warrantee for a couple years or so.....The 500.00 dollar range can buy a decent used blower and can also nearly buy a new entry level blower. honda has some good products and a reliable reputation.If you like that 500.00 blower ask if you can try it out and find out why a new engine was installed what year is the blower? good luck :thumbsup: