Buying New VS Buying Used: Kubota L3200 HST FEL or current L3301 HST

[MexTex]

I am in the market for a used L3200 HST FEL 4x4 or a new L3301 HST FEL 4x4 Kubota tractor. I have been searching for a used tractor for a while now and the prices I am finding seem to be just about the price the owner paid for the tractor during the year it was purchased new (according to tractor data or old forum threads). Kubota has some great financing deals going on right now and I feel like at the end of the 0% APR for 7 years, based on what I have been seeing, I will be able to sell the tractor for about what I paid originally. Is there some truth to this? I found a 2011 L3200 HST FEL 4x4 250 HRS for $15,900 - new price $17,000.

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[motownbrowne]

Personally I'd buy a new L2501. It's a little lower on HP, but it's the same engine, just detuned a little to get under 25 HP for emissions reasons.

Personally, I don't know why anyone would buy a 1-5 year old tractor for almost new prices versus buying new. I'd have to see a discount of at least 20% to consider a used machine. That said, $15,900 doesn't sound crazy for that tractor. If you could get him down to 15, and you have the cash, it might be a good way to go. But, the financing from Kubota is tempting.

 

[Homeline]

Just recently had the same thoughts regarding new vs used. Asking prices for used stuff was too close to new, so it was not difficult for me to justify a new L3301. Future resell value, while not to be completely dismissed, was not a big factor to me. Keep in mind that the asking price on a used tractor compared to what it will actually bring are two different things as well. Used stuff typically has little to no warranty either.

Yes, Kubota financing plans are attractive. And, I too, took advantage of them. But understand there is no free lunch. 0% financing is not free. Kubota will get some money somewhere: Some small doc fees, less discounts on longer terms, down payments for longer terms, even KTAC if you chose it. But I still felt the package my dealer sold me was a such good deal, and the fact that I plunked down about 25% in cash, Kubotas plan was too good to pass up. Also, buying used from a private party might prove difficult if you need to borrow money.

 

[s219]

Yeah, look into the new L2501. It actually has a larger engine than the L3200 and is a bit of a sleeper.

 

[bspeedy]

Better deals are out there for those with cash. Wait till after Thanksgiving. That L3200 should sell for a lot less. 15k is top dollar.

 

[MexTex]

Just got a quote from a local dealer:

L2501 HST 4x4

R4 Tires / LA525FL Loader / RCF 2060 5' Shredder / Armstrong BB05 Box Blade - minus rebates and tax included

$20,033.77 (out the door)

L3301 HST 4x4 (Same Setup)

$23,929.54 (out the door)


Kubota insurance was not included above, the total quoted was $2,154.28 - 84 months of insurance paid up front ($25.65 month)

 

[Ortimber]

I was in the same situation earlier this year and decided to buy new. I also took advantage of the Kubota financing. Probably no right answer, but having a warranty really was the deciding factor.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Talking from experience; high hours on a tractor drop the used price fast. I still have my 2011 vintage BX for sale (1500 hours), nobody wants it at any price.

Ron

 

[teg]

....I found a 2011 L3200 HST FEL 4x4 250 HRS for $15,900...

I would buy this vs. the L2501 or 3301. Test out the 3 point hitch, raise it very, very slowly with an implement on and see if it jerks the tractor all over the place. If you can live with it, I would rather have the older stuff vs. the emission stuff (@ $4k savings). :2cents:

 

[nybirdman]

I would buy this vs. the L2501 or 3301. Test out the 3 point hitch, raise it very, very slowly with an implement on and see if it jerks the tractor all over the place. If you can live with it, I would rather have the older stuff vs. the emission stuff (@ $4k savings). :2cents:

The L2501 doesn't have emissions controls like the L3301.What I have read the L2501 is underrated(HP) and a very popular model at this time.The small L's are true work horses;we have two in the family.

 

[teg]

The L2501 doesn't have emissions controls like the L3301.What I have read the L2501 is underrated(HP) ...

Have you heard the reports about it being very loud? Plus it $4k cheaper?

 

[nybirdman]

Have you heard the reports about it being very loud? Plus it $4k cheaper?

Seems though I did read the L2501 was loud( at least to some),that's kind of subjective thing.Between those two tractors I would save the $4,000 and purchase a set of ear muffs.We have a L3000 DT,which is an open station/gear tractor,used in the woods mostly and a little snow clearing.It never ceases to amaze me the capabilities of that tractor.Very similar in size/HP to the L2501.I would go for the HST version of that tractor.
I have purchased two new Kubota's ,both HST and non-DEF and will be keeping what I have for a long time.

 

[s219]

Have you heard the reports about it being very loud? Plus it $4k cheaper?

One person on here thought so, but in my experience it's absolutely no different than the L3200/L3800 or the previous generation L models. The L3301/3901 are quieter, but they also have quite a bit more exhaust plumbing -- the DPF is like a second muffler.

 

[chim]

With the horsepower range of these tractors, 5 more horses makes much more difference than it would if we were talking the difference between 90 HP and 95 HP. I've read comments from people who indicated that the L2501 "can do everything an L-xxxx (bigger tractor) can do, it just takes a little longer". Regardless of the size tractor, there will always be a time when it would be nice to have a little more weight or a few more horses. My goal is to have that be a rare occasion rather than a common occurrence.

 

[s219]

With the horsepower range of these tractors, 5 more horses makes much more difference than it would if we were talking the difference between 90 HP and 95 HP. I've read comments from people who indicated that the L2501 "can do everything an L-xxxx (bigger tractor) can do, it just takes a little longer". Regardless of the size tractor, there will always be a time when it would be nice to have a little more weight or a few more horses. My goal is to have that be a rare occasion rather than a common occurrence.

The L2501 has the L3400 34HP engine from two generations ago, and it’s a larger engine than what came in the L3200 from one generation ago. In terms of weight and engine grunt down low, the L2501 is better than the L3200. The limitation to 25HP is based on RPM, so for 2200RPM and below the L2501 will be a very capable machine. Where it will fall short is PTO operation, where you will indeed miss the extra HP. But when I look at what I do with my L3200, the 2501 will be as good or better for about 90-95% of what I do. If I was shopping for a new L right now, the 2501 would be at the top of the list. If someone can figure out how to defeat the RPM limiter it would be a pretty awesome 34HP machine at a great price. As it stands, it’s a pretty awesome 34HP-equivalent tractor at/below 2200RPM.

 

[chim]

The L2501 has the L3400 34HP engine from two generations ago, and it’s a larger engine than what came in the L3200 from one generation ago. In terms of weight and engine grunt down low, the L2501 is better than the L3200. The limitation to 25HP is based on RPM, so for 2200RPM and below the L2501 will be a very capable machine. Where it will fall short is PTO operation, where you will indeed miss the extra HP. But when I look at what I do with my L3200, the 2501 will be as good or better for about 90-95% of what I do. If I was shopping for a new L right now, the 2501 would be at the top of the list. If someone can figure out how to defeat the RPM limiter it would be a pretty awesome 34HP machine at a great price. As it stands, it’s a pretty awesome 34HP-equivalent tractor at/below 2200RPM.

So what you're saying is the L2501 is a 25HP tractor unless someone figures out a way to monkey with it and most likely void the warranty?

 

[s219]

So what you're saying is the L2501 is a 25HP tractor unless someone figures out a way to monkey with it and most likely void the warranty?

That doesn't have anything to do with the basic tractor or it's capability. It is the old L3400 engine, and larger than the L3200 engine. Most of us never rev those engines past the RPM limiter on the L2501, so for all intents and purposes it feels like the old 34HP L model.

I have had an L3200 for going on 4 years now, and when I drove an L2501 it definitely had more power and more grunt down low. The "25HP" aspect of the L2501 is extremely misleading, and I certainly would not dismiss this machine as low on HP or weight. It's as or more capable than the L3200/L3400 machines for typical usage.

 

[Ortimber]

The L2501 has the L3400 34HP engine from two generations ago, and it’s a larger engine than what came in the L3200 from one generation ago. In terms of weight and engine grunt down low, the L2501 is better than the L3200. The limitation to 25HP is based on RPM, so for 2200RPM and below the L2501 will be a very capable machine. Where it will fall short is PTO operation, where you will indeed miss the extra HP. But when I look at what I do with my L3200, the 2501 will be as good or better for about 90-95% of what I do. If I was shopping for a new L right now, the 2501 would be at the top of the list. If someone can figure out how to defeat the RPM limiter it would be a pretty awesome 34HP machine at a great price. As it stands, it’s a pretty awesome 34HP-equivalent tractor at/below 2200RPM.

The PTO HP was exactly why I ended up with the L3901 over the 2501. It's a good thing I did because I use the pto for chipping and it isn't hard to stall the 39. I can imagine I would have been frustrated with the 25.

 

[s219]

The PTO HP was exactly why I ended up with the L3901 over the 2501. It's a good thing I did because I use the pto for chipping and it isn't hard to stall the 39. I can imagine I would have been frustrated with the 25.

What size chipper do you run? I run a Wallenstein BX-42 on my L3200, which has a 4"x10" throat. It does OK. On my previous B2920, it would occasionally drag the engine down. Hard to believe a few extra PTO HP makes that much difference, but it sure does matter. So that's where the L2501 will certainly fall short. Although Kubota must have changed the gearing to allow 540 PTO RPM within the range of the 2501's engine RPM limiter, so it makes me wonder how that affects the torque of the PTO output. Being a larger engine with some gearing changes, it is probably misleading there too.

 

[MESSMAKER]

Personally I'd buy a new L2501. It's a little lower on HP, but it's the same engine, just detuned a little to get under 25 HP for emissions reasons.

Personally, I don't know why anyone would buy a 1-5 year old tractor for almost new prices versus buying new. I'd have to see a discount of at least 20% to consider a used machine. That said, $15,900 doesn't sound crazy for that tractor. If you could get him down to 15, and you have the cash, it might be a good way to go. But, the financing from Kubota is tempting.

Is there a way to boost the hp once you get it?