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Hello! I'm looking to buy a lawnmower, and I'd like to keep it around the $275 mark. I've been perusing craigslist, but I'm not having much luck so far. I'm looking at what my new options are in that vicinity. What's important to me is a mower that won't bog down -- I don't care about bagging or mulching, and self propel is nice, but not at the expense of torque (or whatever it is i need to chew through those clumps of weeds). I do want one that has a side discharge option... mulch/bag only is not what I'm looking for.

Unfortunately half the new mowers I look at online don't seem to have any specs at all about the power of the engine, and the rest each have a different stat... hp vs torque vs cc. Any suggestions for a new mower in this price range?

thanks,
GB

So I ended up with a Toro Recycler, 22" personal pace. At 10% off it was more than I was budgeting, but only by $15. I put it together and had to give it a brief try before parking it in the screen-porch -- I love it! Starts on the first try, and I didn't "push" the mower at all, just walked towards it . This is my first self-propelled mower experience, and I like it!

I looked at the honda too, but I really wanted the option to side discharge, just in case, and the clean-out port is a nice extra. The Honda reputation and the double-blade thing was appealing, but I didn't want to be stuck with a mower that couldn't side discharge if I were ever in a situation where I was needing to cut tall weeds or wet grass because it was getting out of control.

I *almost* bought a $250 craftsman at sears (briggs "platinum" series 7.25 ft/lb torque, just a push mower, no self propel, with 3-in-1), but I'm glad I waited.

-GB

<edit> hopefully I'll remember to come back with a better report after a few mows </edit>