understood, Im looking at 13 for a 18 with loader and mmm and a 145 for a 23 with the same options. I see massesy for about 115 but they want 2500 for their mower. I didn't even ask deere.
JD and kubota are going to be close, I was looking at a JD 2520 and a Kubota 2650, the kubota had AC and factory cab the 2520 had a aftermarket cab and no ac, but was 4k cheaper than the kubota.
It just all depends. If cost is your main driver than I would look at other options, but then again dont step over a dollar to save a penny later, have to look at legacy cost as well. With that said I think people over value dealers some what, as in theres a lot people can do on their own work, and you dont have to take machines to the dealer you bought from to fix it in and out of warranty.