New, or used?
- Thread starter twall
- Start date
Well I will ditto what Fred types, finding a 'good' used mower at a price 'enough' below new cost is very very hard to do. Just before I bought my Exmark I found, after three years of serious looking (and alot of driving-'excellent' condition is a very relative term) a used Kubota diesel with about fifty hours on it, 'transimission "just" replace by the dealer up the street"-agreed on the price, came back to pick it up and the 'original' owner couldn't seem to find any of the paper work-bill of sale, warranty work, nothing.
I thought of copying down the serial number to see WHEN it got stolen- but decided just to leave.....
I thought of copying down the serial number to see WHEN it got stolen- but decided just to leave.....
BKBrown
Lawn Addict
Just a little wrinkle, Dealer demo models are good too ! They are generally well maintained and nearly new, but lower priced than new and usually not high hours.
My first Ventrac was a Demo and had NO real problems for 7 years (just general maintenance). :thumbsup:
If you are looking, you might go to the dealer and tell them you would be interested in looking at their demo models when they are available. :biggrin:
My first Ventrac was a Demo and had NO real problems for 7 years (just general maintenance). :thumbsup:
If you are looking, you might go to the dealer and tell them you would be interested in looking at their demo models when they are available. :biggrin:
twall
Lawn Addict
Wouldn't it be great if Snapper, or even Sears had demo models?
Unfortunately, the 'demo' route - although the absolute best compromise between new and used - is probably limited to a high-end, very expensive machine. The local JD dealer isn't going to have a demo of their cheap series.
For everyone who will buy used, at what price from new? and, would you ever buy from a contractor??
For me the price has to be at least 30% from new for a very late model, with low low hours, and it has to have been kept under cover; and even then it is a crap shoot with regard to maint: everyone changes the oil and washes the engine when they are trying to sell.... I would only look at stuff from private sellers, not interested at all in machines with a commercial history.
We looked at a JD X320-21 hours-, last years model (dealer) and she wanted $350 less than a new one, it was very clean but still 'pre scratched" :confused2:
I asked how it happened that this machine was on the floor, was told that the owner traded for a four wheel drive model-I told her that I would go $450 MORE than what the trade in value was - of course the offer was declined.....
For me the price has to be at least 30% from new for a very late model, with low low hours, and it has to have been kept under cover; and even then it is a crap shoot with regard to maint: everyone changes the oil and washes the engine when they are trying to sell.... I would only look at stuff from private sellers, not interested at all in machines with a commercial history.
We looked at a JD X320-21 hours-, last years model (dealer) and she wanted $350 less than a new one, it was very clean but still 'pre scratched" :confused2:
I asked how it happened that this machine was on the floor, was told that the owner traded for a four wheel drive model-I told her that I would go $450 MORE than what the trade in value was - of course the offer was declined.....
Black Bart
Well-Known Member
I prefer new but I keep them for years.
Last mower I sold I bought new, Used it 17 years and sold it for $100.00 less than what I paid new.
Inflation took care of me on that one.
17 years of trouble free service for a 100 bucks is good enough for me.
I had to pay a lot for another new one but it will continue to go up every year for a new one so my used one will also.
Few people get rid of any car or mower unless it is giving them problems.
Unless a dealer is selling it and he has fixed it you are just buying someone Else's trouble.
Buying a demo would be a good way to save $$$$$$$$
Last mower I sold I bought new, Used it 17 years and sold it for $100.00 less than what I paid new.
Inflation took care of me on that one.
17 years of trouble free service for a 100 bucks is good enough for me.
I had to pay a lot for another new one but it will continue to go up every year for a new one so my used one will also.
Few people get rid of any car or mower unless it is giving them problems.
Unless a dealer is selling it and he has fixed it you are just buying someone Else's trouble.
Buying a demo would be a good way to save $$$$$$$$
Chev
Active Member
I like buying from a contractor. They make their living with these machines and maintenance keeps the money coming in. It is still worth giving them the 20 questions about and checking on the philosophy that they keep the machinery up with. With a contractor, they replace for larger equipment, or faster equipment, I don't really need either. My last purchase came from a contractor that bought an entire new fleet of Exmark stuff, sizing up the ZTR 12" and adding a walk behind. Cause he had to have matching stuff ya know. Included in the sale was the spares he had sitting around: new oil and fuel filter, new and used belts, used air filter. Seeing the condition of this stuff helped make the decision as it was not "shot" yet he replaced it.
Price is an individual choice. I believe half is fair. It seems like there is a slew of stuff out there for 10 - 20% off and 2 - 3 years old. I won't touch that stuff. You may as well buy new. I am actually scared of heavy equipment with 100 hours on it for sale........... why so suddenly for sale?