Exmarks can cost more...around here they dominate the commercial lawn care guys and the larger lawn residential mowers, which I felt said something about them. I ended up deciding to invest in an Exmark Pioneer S 60 inch cut. I mow 3 plus acres and then some for my father in law. Like you mentioned, I wanted something I would be mowing with 15 years down the road if takes care of. I feel the Exmark was a better quality overall coming from a local dealer I trust and definitely a better ride than any I drove. Gravely was my second choice and the Hustler was my third. Also drove a Bad Boy. All of these were carried by local dealers.
But I was looking at size and level just above what you are looking at. Like I said, I would ask to drive and mow with demo (both the hustler and Exmark along with any other you are seriously considering). I actually printed the specs for each mower so I can compare the detail (hydros, engines, deck quality, speeds, etc.). There are a lot of great mowers right now on the market. Other here can give you their take on some of the other makers.
