Well I've narrowed it down to Gravely, Exmark, Hustler, Bobcat, or Bad Boy, but...

[Altarboy]

I've noticed that some of these mowers have Kawasaki, some have Kohler Courage, and some have B&G. Now, I gotta tell you guys, I had a Cub Cadet 1042 with the Courage that was a lemon from the beginning. My repair guy said the Courage was a bad engine, and that Kohler had since improved it (since my buying it in 2005). Can I assume the newer larger engines are better?
I've promised my 17 year old I would replace the Craftsman this week (he is our primary lawn dude), and I will most likely purchase the mower based on who will give me a better deal. All the dealers come well recommended and all the ZTs in the 50-54 inch appear approximately the same in quality. There's just the question of engine.

 

[edd]

i have run kohler courage [ 700 hrs ] never had any problem.....briggs and stratton and now kawasaki fx same story.....i think some people get a lemon sometime and they are the ones you hear from most

 

[Ric]

I also run Kohler Courage 22 hp and have over 700 hrs and never had any problems, a Kawasaki FS and the FJ 180 KAI with no problems. There good reliable engines if maintained regularly. I personally would stay away from Briggs and Stratton.

 

[Altarboy]

Thanks Guys. Man, these dealers do not want to come off their prices. The Gravely guy wants 4299.00 and not a cent less for the XL54 inch. The Exmark guy wants 4299.00 for the Quest 50(or 52 or 54 I don't remember). The Bobcat guy came off the 54" from 4599.00 to 4499.00, and the Hustler guy has the 54 Sport for 4040.00. Tough bunch. I gotta act soon or use the Craftsman one more time.

 

[djdicetn]

Thanks Guys. Man, these dealers do not want to come off their prices. The Gravely guy wants 4299.00 and not a cent less for the XL54 inch. The Exmark guy wants 4299.00 for the Quest 50(or 52 or 54 I don't remember). The Bobcat guy came off the 54" from 4599.00 to 4499.00, and the Hustler guy has the 54 Sport for 4040.00. Tough bunch. I gotta act soon or use the Craftsman one more time.

You're pretty well gonna pay very close to MSRP until mid-September...then the dealers will change their tune to unload all 2013 model on-hand inventory before they get the 2014's in. I bought a 2012 52" Gravely Pro Turn XDZ100 Commercial in September and I got it out-the-door for more than $1,000 off MSRP plus taxes. Personally, and I bought a Gravely, I don't care much for the XL series and I would recommend the ZT HD but the 52" will run you about $800 more than the XL(but the quality would be MUCH better and worth well over $1K more).

P.S.
I just looked and you need to have a serious talk with that dealer....the Gravely Recommended MSRP for the 54" ZT XL is $4,199.......NOT......$4,299(that dealer needs to be confronted about price gouging:0)
Here's a link to a dealer website where you can verify that price:


http://chilton-turf-center.gravelymower.com/seriespage/gravely-zt-xl/

 

[Altarboy]

Well I got it home today-my brand new Bobcat CRZ 52. It's awesome, especially when compared to the Cub Cadet 1042 I bought years ago which lasted 5 years mowing 2 acres. There's been a learning curve in driving it, but I soon picked it up. I did hit a fence post and knocked a big chunk of wood out of it. My 3+ hour mowing days are a thing of the past.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

Well I got it home today-my brand new Bobcat CRZ 52. It's awesome, especially when compared to the Cub Cadet 1042 I bought years ago which lasted 5 years mowing 2 acres. There's been a learning curve in driving it, but I soon picked it up. I did hit a fence post and knocked a big chunk of wood out of it. My 3+ hour mowing days are a thing of the past.

Congrats! We would love to see pictures of your new machine and maybe a review once you get to use it more. :thumbsup:

 

[djdicetn]

Well I got it home today-my brand new Bobcat CRZ 52. It's awesome, especially when compared to the Cub Cadet 1042 I bought years ago which lasted 5 years mowing 2 acres. There's been a learning curve in driving it, but I soon picked it up. I did hit a fence post and knocked a big chunk of wood out of it. My 3+ hour mowing days are a thing of the past.

Them Bobcat's are fine machines....congrats!!! Like user lmf said....we want pictures!!!!!!!!