Buying Advice How can you evaluate a 4310 without seeing it in person?

[mlg]

Thanks for all of the comments on the hours, it's very encouraging to hear that it shouldn't be too much of a problem.

I've spent a lot of time on machinefinder and tractorhouse looking at prices over the last month, and never came across a deal as good as the one you just described. They were originally asking 16500 for it which I thought was ludicrous, but have already lowered it to 15900 (still over-priced). From the prices on the two websites I figure it is worth more like 14500.

Since my last post I have actually looked at the pictures more carefully (enlarged a great deal) and noticed that the tractor itself looks to be in fantastic condition. The only rust I could see on it was on the ends of the swinging drawbars, and the associated sway bars, both unpainted surfaces. That limits the rust just to the loader (cosmetic). I am going to call them again tomorrow, but I have a hunch the loader was stored outside while the tractor was inside.

How much would you all pay for this machine?

 

[RoyJackson]

How much would you all pay for this machine?

It's hard to say since tractor prices are somewhat regional...and New England prices are a bit higher then other areas.
That said, I paid $13000 for a 4400 with 804 hours on it (see attached picture taken at the dealer's lot). This was 6-8 months ago. I do think I got a better deal then average. This wasn't sight unseen...the dealer was a local guy.

So, your estimate ($14.5K) is reasonable. Any higher, you might want to look elsewhere. Remember, since you're buying sight unseen, that implies shipping costs have to be factored in as well.

We had a fellow TBNer, Defed, buy a 4300 about the same time I bought the 4400. If I recall, the price of the 4300 was pretty close to $15K. He has had a number of problems with that machine.

 

[Zebrafive]

I think it looks good for the hours. Bucket would not bother me in the least. I bought mine used, I can now say that scratch was from the former owner. Plus the first scratch I put on it wont give me grief.

I am not sure of the price to offer, but the dealer knows that if he has to keep it over the winter it will be a year older and more weathered, being open station, I'll bet the dealer is ready to deal.

One thing that may ease your mind, ask if they will warranty it for say 90 days and 50 hours so if there are any real problems you will have recourse.

 

[mlg]

I am not sure of the price to offer, but the dealer knows that if he has to keep it over the winter it will be a year older and more weathered, being open station, I'll bet the dealer is ready to deal.

The dealer has had it since at least the beginning of September. When I spoke with him Friday he said that he thinks it will sell soon due to people preparing for the winter (in PA). When I spoke with dealerships in New England they told me the majority of their sales were late spring/early summer. Are second surges in used sales common in the fall?

This dealer is a 900 mile round trip from me and I'm planning on picking it up myself, so it won't be entirely sight unseen. I figure it will cost me about $300 in gas. I could probably have it shipped for about the same price (?) but this way gives me the peace of mind of seeing it before completing the sale. If I noticed anything I really didn't like I could still back out even though I'd then be down several hundred and wasted a lot of time. That said, I'm not looking to waste time and money either so I'd like to be "sight unseen" comfortable with the machine. I'm basically viewing the situation as a sight unseen purchase with a panick button.

The power beyond looks to be about a $300 option, and the mid pto $400. I don't need either. How much would these and the 300CX loader warrant an increase in price from the dealer's perspective?

 

[RoyJackson]

The dealer has had it since at least the beginning of September. When I spoke with him Friday he said that he thinks it will sell soon due to people preparing for the winter (in PA).

The power beyond looks to be about a $300 option, and the mid pto $400. How much would these and the 300CX loader warrant an increase in price?

Sounds like the dealer is in northwest PA (just a guess, but NW PA gets hit pretty hard with snow).

I might give an extra hundred for the power beyond. I wouldn't pay any extra for the mid-PTO. As far as I'm concerned, the 300cx loader is part of the current price.

Well, at worst, it'll be a nice ride this time of year...

 

[foggy1111]

I bought my 3320 under similar circumstances as you are planning (dealer and tractor some distance away)....but my tractor had quite a few less hours.

In my case, the dealer represented the tractor very well and it was all he claimed it would be. As said earlier, I think the dealers represent things much better than a private party would.

I bought mine without any kind of a warranty....and have had zero problems from my purchase. BUT I would try to get some type of a basic warranty and your price negotiated BEFORE you show up with a trailer to pick it up. MAKE YOUR BEST DEAL ON THE PHONE.....and then I'd tell him you have a deal PROVIDED the tractor is as represented over the phone / pics.

Once you show up with the trailer at the dealers door......all price and warranty discussions are pretty much over. That dealer knows you plan to go home with your new baby.....IMO.

BTW....I think that bucket is a HD and not a Light Duty as said earlier. IMO.....It appears to be a good tractor from the pics.

 

[foggy1111]

Just remembered one other point....sales tax. If I wudda had my tractor delivered about 20 miles (over eithr of two state lines) it could have been bought without tax. I paid the ^&*((()_& sales tax as I picked it up off my dealer's lot. At least the tax in his state was somewhat less than my state tax.

Forewarned is forearmed.

 

[RoyJackson]

That dealer knows you plan to go home with your new baby...

And that's part of the discipline...you've got to be ready to walk away...

 

[jenkinsph]

And that's part of the discipline...you've got to be ready to walk away...

I agree with Roy on that one.:thumbsup:

 

[mlg]

So I just got off the phone with the dealer. When it was traded in they replaced the hood, the RF axle seal, and touched up the paint (whatever that means, but obviously not on the loader), on top of the usual filter changes. He didn't have any idea what the previous owner used it for or why they ended up with it.

I'm a little concerned about the hood and repainting; it makes me feel like it might have not been cared for all that well.

Anyways he said that the "best he could do" on price was 15,900. Which I think is quite inflated for what the machine is.