i bought the tractor new in 2000. I didn't drop anything on it. Actually I think it is just rotted due to exposure since it wasn't always stored inside.
The hood went first, replaced that. Now the grill locks and the plastic on bottom of the grill are broken, the left side panel is broken. Ordered the replacement grill and side panel off Ebay, not delivered yet. The cowling is cracked, the latch broke off the fuse box door in the cowling. Seems like very poor quality material for name like John Deere. Don't believe they would selling replacement parts on Ebay if this wasn't a major problem. Metal can be painted if it gets weathered and dents repaired for a few bucks. Plastic is shot when it breaks.
On top of that, a bearing in the hydraulics broke under 500 hours. Took out the hydraulic pumps. John Deere wouldn't pay the bill. after much discussion by the dealer, they finally furnished parts, I still had an $1800 labor bill with discount. The electronic fuel pump went out. the HST transmission will now hardly pull itself up a small hill while mowing the yard.
The dealer switched to Kubota due partly to these problems.
I'm going with Kioti now. Wish I could afford a new one since they have 4yr warranty. At least the metal is good on the 2000 model I just bought, no rust even.