Cub Cadet XT2 decision time- new or used?

[Mower Man Dan]

Looking for a XT2 42" LX. New is going to be about $3400 out the door. Found what appears to he a very nice used one with 96 hours on it. Cost is $2000.

I know there will be no warranty on the used mower. I am fairly handy but not a mechanic. I really liked my local dealer when I went to look at the new ones. I am cutting a flat half acre. The machine will see about 30-ish hours a year. Just kind of torn if having a spanking new machine with 3 year warranty is worth $1400 to me and looking for opinions from others as to which they would choose and why.

 

[Auto Doc's]

Hello M.,

We are heading into winter, so it is also a good time to negotiate deals.

Is the used one a dealer trade in or private owned sale?

Are they both equipped with Kawasaki engines?

Counter offer $1500 for the used one, then change the oil and filters along with the deck belt and you will be money ahead I would think.

I am an old school type that believes in good used equipment instead of Never Ever Worked (NEW) equipment.

 

[Mower Man Dan]

Hi AD! Thanks for the reply!

Unfortunately CC does not offer a 42" tractor with a Kawasaki. It is the 7000 series 20hp Kohler. The used one is private party.

I do not believe they will budge below $2k for it. This same individual has a few other nice mowers for sale. They told me this XT2 was owned by a family member who is now in a nursing home.

 

[Craftsman Garage]

Shoulda went for the X350...

 

[Mower Man Dan]

Shoulda went for the X350...

I know, I know. But a few things I didn't really like besides the $900 initial price difference: stamped deck, underseat gas tank. The CC initially has a lifetime warranty on the fabricated deck, which I think says a lot. I'd love to have the Kawasaki engine, but I've had more deck problems than engine problems here. Also, I went through and shopped parts I've replaced on my current mower for those mowers. The JD parts prices are about twice what CC are.

That said, I saw a 2016 x350 for the same price ($2,000)with only 160 hours.

 

[Craftsman Garage]

John Deeres also seem to retain their value really good, which is probably why that 10 year old X350 is still worth 2k.

 

[Craftsman Garage]

Have you looked into Husqvarna Garden Tractors at all? I know they make, or made, a few models with fabricated 42/46/48" decks and came with Briggs V-Twins, which you would be familiar with, or Kawasaki V-Twins like in the JD. Husqvarna also has a lifetime warranty on their fabricated decks, so it seems like this would combine the pros of both JD and CC mowers.

 

[Craftsman Garage]

Hello M.,

We are heading into winter, so it is also a good time to negotiate deals.

Is the used one a dealer trade in or private owned sale?

Are they both equipped with Kawasaki engines?

Counter offer $1500 for the used one, then change the oil and filters along with the deck belt and you will be money ahead I would think.

I am an old school type that believes in good used equipment instead of Never Ever Worked (NEW) equipment.

While I love to snag a deal on used mowers, I think there is a pro with new equipment that you know all of the history, condition, maintenance, etc. If you bought a used mowers, it can sometimes be a tossup regarding the mechanical condition of the equipment and engine. With a new mower, if you are religious about maintenance (done properly!), you could have a mower that lasts your lifetime.

 

[Mower Man Dan]

Have you looked into Husqvarna Garden Tractors at all? I know they make, or made, a few models with fabricated 42/46/48" decks and came with Briggs V-Twins, which you would be familiar with, or Kawasaki V-Twins like in the JD. Husqvarna also has a lifetime warranty on their fabricated decks, so it seems like this would combine the pros of both JD and CC mowers.

I really appreciate all of your input, CG. I looked at the Husqvarna, unfortunately there is no dealer near me that I could find. The one they show near Cincinnati only deals with their robotic mowers. So my only option would be to hit Tractor Supply. I guess I could do that. I believe the model I'm after would be the ts242xd. It does have the best of both worlds!

 

[Mower Man Dan]

While I love to snag a deal on used mowers, I think there is a pro with new equipment that you know all of the history, condition, maintenance, etc. If you bought a used mowers, it can sometimes be a tossup regarding the mechanical condition of the equipment and engine. With a new mower, if you are religious about maintenance (done properly!), you could have a mower that lasts your lifetime.

And that's really what I am after. I have gotten 20 seasons, after all, from a Craftsman with a Briggs V twin.