Honestly as long as it isn't made in China I am fine with it. The John Deere comes with an excellent warranty and as long as the Dealer and service department are good people I'm sure it is fine. I did drive the 3038E a couple times and strongly considered it. In the end I just preferred the Kubota but only because of how it felt to me. I never did any real work with either before buying. I didn't remember this before but the Deere has to be out of gear to get off the seat. That would annoy the **** out of me because I frequently have to get off the seat to see over the bucket, or jump off and re-rig a chain. On flat ground the HST will hold the tractor still. I also was worried about the Kubota pedal over the twin Deere pedals after watching the videos but it hasn't been an issue, I find it very easy and comfortable. As for the plastic hood it wouldn't bother me. If you smacked it hard enough to break it I'm sure the steel hood would be in pretty sad shape too. Deere and Kubota both make a fine machine, drive them both a couple times and pick the one you like the best. Either one will get a lot of work done a lot faster than a subcompact. I can say if I bought another tractor without the Backhoe I would get a
ballast box full of concrete. Loader work is WAY easier, and the tractor is way more stable with the weight of the hoe vs the box blade or land plane.