I have a model year 2000 John Deere LT155 with the Freedom 42 mulching deck for my 1.5 acres. In the nearly 6 years and over 400 hours, I have not had a lick of trouble. My neighbors have not had this kind of experience with their lower-end brand machines and have more than once borrowed mine when theirs were being repaired.
I paid nearly double the price of a low end machine with similar horsepower, but after 6 years of fairly heavy use, I can still get more back on a trade than many basic tractors cost new. The best thing is, for 6 years, I actually had a tractor that is quiet running, comfortable, simple to use, and fun to drive. Not to mention the cutting job done by the Freedom deck gets a constant stream of compliments from neighbors and guests.
As far as the body goes, the hood is dent resistant, rust resistant plastic but, with the tractor weighing nearly 600 lbs, there is a lot of steel and cast iron there too, where it counts, on the frame and in the axles.
Is it worth it? I totally believe it is. But that is all a matter of individual personal preferences and values. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif