Yea i would have just loaded the mower on the tandem trailer and gone and looked. Took it home if passed and unless your partial to your 1700 list it for the same taking the first $2000+ offer. That tractor was worth the price. Folks who have the powershift love it. I personally liked the gear simplicity as far as maintence and reliability, but seems the yanmar powershift is not something to fear. The extra room would be nice as well as weight which is your friend on a tractor.