When we couldn't afford more, we purchased a Scott's JD for $1800. Used wasn't an option, as I didn't own a trailer at the time. First tranny failed at 4.2 hours, but Home Depot and John Deere took care of it.
Up until I bought the Kubota, that machine towed and did way more than it was designed for, and lived outside in the rain for the last four years. Mowed our 2.5 acres of hilly, rough lawn for 9 years with it, sometimes as often as every third day (high water table) with that silly little 42" deck...my wife IS a trooper. Cost (didn't figure it was worth changing oil in it but every three years, and only ever needed the drag links changed...I pulled the ice sculptures out of the carb and cylinder myself, so that didn't cost nuthin'.) wasn't much more than the $200 per year in purchase price. Had I been bothered to park it inside, and to change oil every 1-2 years, I could probably have gone many more years. Don't know how much gas we put in it. Also, the hour meter died (see above RE parking outside) so I don't know how many hours it had - over 750 easily though... That's less than $2.40/hour.
My wife's new x530 would need to last 30-35 years, with virtually no maintenance, to compare. Sort of doubt it will...