I am in the market for a ZTR.
The leading candidate so far is the Z525E with a 54" deck. A local dealer offered me a deal on what he described as "aged stock". They have a "new" 2016 Z525E with a 54" deck. The machine is new with no hours. It just never got sold. They offered to sell it for $3750 ($250 or so less than a 2019). The warranty clock would start with my purchase.
My concerns:
- When we looked at it, it wouldn't start because the battery was dead. Ok, batteries go dead, but this machine has a three-year old battery that may not be up to snuff. I could negotiate for a new battery or a warranty deal, but a thought was planted: This machine has sat unrun for three years. Does that create issues? Do transmission and engine seals go dry or get brittle, do belts get brittle or settle into a memory bend from being held under tension in the same curve for three years?
- Is the 2016 Z525E the same as the 2019? It looks the same. But have improvements been made in the last three years? Improved mower deck? Transmission bugs removed? Improved engine?
Currently, my concerns are outweighing the offer of a $200-250 discount (which seems on the light side to me). Are my concerns justified? Is the '16 identical to the '19?
I'll hang up and listen. Thanks.
Paul
The leading candidate so far is the Z525E with a 54" deck. A local dealer offered me a deal on what he described as "aged stock". They have a "new" 2016 Z525E with a 54" deck. The machine is new with no hours. It just never got sold. They offered to sell it for $3750 ($250 or so less than a 2019). The warranty clock would start with my purchase.
My concerns:
- When we looked at it, it wouldn't start because the battery was dead. Ok, batteries go dead, but this machine has a three-year old battery that may not be up to snuff. I could negotiate for a new battery or a warranty deal, but a thought was planted: This machine has sat unrun for three years. Does that create issues? Do transmission and engine seals go dry or get brittle, do belts get brittle or settle into a memory bend from being held under tension in the same curve for three years?
- Is the 2016 Z525E the same as the 2019? It looks the same. But have improvements been made in the last three years? Improved mower deck? Transmission bugs removed? Improved engine?
Currently, my concerns are outweighing the offer of a $200-250 discount (which seems on the light side to me). Are my concerns justified? Is the '16 identical to the '19?
I'll hang up and listen. Thanks.
Paul