'05 vs '06 2554

Seravo · May 6, 2006

\'05 vs \'06 2554

Purchased a new 2554 this week, but today the dealer delivered an older ('05, '04?) model than what I had seen in the showroom and in the catalog, already showing over 4 hours on the meter. It looks like a fine machine, just not the "new" machine I paid full price for. I like to break in my own engines so I know that it was done carefully.

The differences I noticed are mostly minor, like the hood style and cupholder, so no big deal there. What I don't like was the lack of the heavier front bumper, and the mufler hangs much lower on this one than the new model, making it more susceptible to damage. Other than that, some parts are already rusted and one of the pins for the anti-scalping wheel was missing. I'm not trying to bash the dealer here so I'm not naming names. To their credit he place where I bought this didn't have one in stock, so they got it delivered from another dealer. It looks like one dealer trying to pass off some older machines as new, I just appear to have ended up on the receiving end.

Although this is probably a good machine, I feel like some return or leftover was unloaded on me. Can I positively identify the year by the serial number? Are there any other differences that anyone can tell me about between these two years? Should this just go back to the dealer, or am worrying about nothing? Not sure what to do, but I'm kind of disappointed in the whole thing.

ducati996 · May 6, 2006

Re: \'05 vs \'06 2554

You should be paying less - for a leftover, and not 2006 prices....I think the 2006 have better leg room, better exhaust position, and they fixed the healight wire touching the exhaust shied. I think the seat is better....
I would ask for a new machine 2006 - since you paid for one...I would be pissed actually

Seravo · May 7, 2006

Re: \'05 vs \'06 2554

You are right, I should be pissed - but I gave up that approach a long time ago as it never seemed to get me too far.
The good news is the owner of the dealership called tonight and he is replacing it with an '06. They have to order it, so in the meantime they will drop off a 2550 that I can use until the 2554 arrives. He plans to send this one back to the other dealership, so I'll just leave it alone until they pick it up. I think he was as caught off guard as I was over this mixup, he seemed none too happy about what happened. As long as I get what I bought in the end I'll be happy.
About 30 minutes into my first time mowing this spring my old mower (scotts 1742) finally died. It had been on it's last legs for two seasons now. For all the work we did with it I can't complain, it did far more than it was designed to do. We keep about 2 acres as lawn and maintain another 7 as meadow, so there's alot of catching up to do. This CC should be a very nice machine, I can't wait to get mowing again.

Fordlords · May 7, 2006

Re: \'05 vs \'06 2554

I would have to say Seravo that you are definitely on the receiving end of a returned used or demonstrator '95 machine, and that's not what you wanted or paid for. Tell the dealer to come and get the tractor back, and to deliver you a NEW one with 0 hours. (It should not take any more than 30 minutes of running the engine to set up and test a new tractor.) You have every legal standing on this issue, and the dealer would be foolish to not totally comply. It could be a ligitimate mistake, so treat it like that with dealer at first- if they give you any lip, then you know they were trying to pass something off to someone they thought was naive, and then you can get pissed and teach them a thing or two /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif If you are disappointed, you need to take the action to get satisfaction /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

-Fordlords-

Fordlords · May 7, 2006

Re: \'05 vs \'06 2554

Sorry I posted that right after your reply... sounds like it was a ligit mistake, and you bought from a good dealer who will keep you happy /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

-Fordlords-

Seravo · May 7, 2006

Re: \'05 vs \'06 2554

Fordlords, you are right about it looking like an honest mistake, the dealer was concerned enough to call after hours to set things right. This is my first tranaction with them. They have a good reputation around here - now I'll get to see them earn it first hand. Aside from all the confusion I have to say that after a lot of shopping and reading I am very impressed with price/features of the Cub Cadet garden tractors compared to the other big brands. I think the 2554 was a good choice.

JSharp · May 7, 2006

Re: \'05 vs \'06 2554

I think you'll be glad you didn't take the older model even at a reduced price. I really like the hood setup on the '06 compared to the older models and I believe the new models are more roomy and turn tighter along with having a few details cleaned up.

Fordlords · May 7, 2006

Re: \'05 vs \'06 2554

Wait until you get your actual NEW 2006 2544 Seravo- taking a guess you'll be ecstatic about it, it is probably the best value out there right now for a well built piece of yard equipment that can really perform. (If I needed a new tractor, it would be my choice.) I think that was cool of the dealer despite the mistake to give you a loaner tractor to keep the yard cut until your fresh 2544 arrives along with calling after hours to set things straight- its going that extra mile, which is hard to find with anyone today. Please let us know when your new baby arrives and your initial thoughts about it! Don't forget, you are also entitled to this:

http://www.cubcadet.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/DisplayContentView?jspStoreDir=CubCadet&mpe_id=17502&catalogId=14101&evtype=CpgnClick&topCat=&intv_id=21057&langId=-1&pageName=tractorcoverpromo.html&storeId=10051&ddkey=ClickInfo

-Fordlords-

JTKub · May 7, 2006

Re: \'05 vs \'06 2554

I'd try to swing a deal and keep the 2005. I'd think you'd be able to keep it for $300-500 less than the 2005 MSRP. If no deal, might as well swap it for a 2006.

Joel

Seravo · May 7, 2006

Re: \'05 vs \'06 2554

Fordlords,
I'm pretty happy with the dealers response to the situation, he did what he could to straighten things out right away. The loaner was an unexpected gesture and will keep the grass in the fields from hitting 18" before I get the 2554. And thanks for the pointer to the cover, it will come in handy. I'll be sure to let everyone know my thoughts when the new one arrives. No matter what, it has to be light years ahead of my old Scotts mower!

Seravo · May 7, 2006

Re: \'05 vs \'06 2554

I didn't want to even ask for a discount to keep the '05. Since it had some hours on it already and was back at the dealer I suspected it was a return or was used as a demo, both less than ideal ways for a machine to be broken in. I found out it was delivered to the dealersip last June and with the amount of rust already showing on parts I think it spent the winter outdoors, not a good thing for machines here in Maine. Of the two dealerships I think I picked the right one after all....It'll all be as it should in a week or so when the right one arives.

Thank-you to everyone on this forum, the information and opinions here really helped me decide which GT was the right one to go with.

Seravo · May 9, 2006

Re: \'05 vs \'06 2554

The dealer just dropped off a brand new 2550 loaner for me to use until the 2554 comes in! They have really gone out of their way to help me and I'm impressed with their service, to say the least. I'm not sure if it would be considered wrong in any way to mention them by name on a public forum, but they do deserve alot of credit. Now if only work were over for the day and I could go mowing . . .

I'll be sure to post my impressions after getting a little time on it.

Seravo · May 18, 2006

Re: \'05 vs \'06 2554

My 2554 was delivered today!/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
The dealer dropped off a loaner 2550 back on the 9th and it has rained every day since then so I never even had the chance to use it. That's o.k., he gets his machine back brand new. Today was the first day without rain, so I just had to try out the 2554. The grass was about 12-14" tall and wet as can be - it was really like mowing a swamp. The mower bogged down in the thickest parts but did cut everything I threw at it. I'm impressed that with the grass so wet and tall it could be cut at all - mowing under more normal conditions should be a breeze.
One question, though. In reverse the tractor only moves about 2 mph tops. Not that I need to go anywhere backward fast, but is this normal? My only other experience is with a gear driven mower, this is my first hydro.
Looking forward to some more sun and tackling the meadows!

Seravo · May 18, 2006

Re: \'05 vs \'06 2554

My 2554 was delivered today!/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
The dealer dropped off a loaner 2550 back on the 9th and it has rained every day since then so I never even had the chance to use it. That's o.k., he gets his machine back brand new. Today was the first day without rain, so I just had to try out the 2554. The grass was about 12-14" tall and wet as can be - it was really like mowing a swamp. The mower bogged down in the thickest parts but did cut everything I threw at it. I'm impressed that with the grass so wet and tall it could be cut at all - mowing under more normal conditions should be a breeze.
One question, though. In reverse the tractor only moves about 2 mph tops. Not that I need to go anywhere backward fast, but is this normal? My only other experience is with a gear driven mower, this is my first hydro.
Looking forward to some more sun and tackling the meadows!

Fordlords · May 19, 2006

Re: \'05 vs \'06 2554

I just read on another post (in regards to a 3100) that I believe uses the same hydro as the 2554, with an owner commenting the hydro was slow in reverse. This is VERY commonplace, they don't let them boogie like they could in the past in reverse for the all wonderful safety reasons /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif (Too much animal cruelty with chipmunks getting ran over /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif)

I would have beat up that dealer's 2550 in the rain before I took my new machine into 12-14" grass /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sounds good- have a fun mowing season with a great tractor!

-Fordlords-

Fordlords · May 19, 2006

Re: \'05 vs \'06 2554

I just read on another post (in regards to a 3100) that I believe uses the same hydro as the 2554, with an owner commenting the hydro was slow in reverse. This is VERY commonplace, they don't let them boogie like they could in the past in reverse for the all wonderful safety reasons /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif (Too much animal cruelty with chipmunks getting ran over /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif)

I would have beat up that dealer's 2550 in the rain before I took my new machine into 12-14" grass /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sounds good- have a fun mowing season with a great tractor!

-Fordlords-