Buying a 790 not going well...

[mwood]

As many of you have seen on the general forum, i'm in the market for a JD790 MFWD with loader. I'm in the Southern Tier of NY (Binghamton area) and can find no dealers in the area who are willing to come off list price at all!!! Is this normal? Or do I live in about the worst area to buy tractors?

I mean, I want a tractor, but I kinda figured it was like a car. Barter a little, dicker here and there and come up with something that benefits both me and the dealer. Anyone have any tips for this? I was going to try to get quotes from a few other dealers in the area and try to pit them against each other, but all of the dealers seem to have the exact same price. Any tips???

 

[OrangeGuy]

Check out other brands! You may have told or "telegraphed" to the dealers that your intention was to purchase a JD and nothing else. Get them thinking that they have to work for the sale. You also might find out that you like something else better.

OrangeGuy

 

[mwood]

By your title OrangeGuy, i'm assuming you have knowledge of one of the oranges (Kubota if I remember from other posts correctly). What type of "orange" could I find which meets the following specs:
Same price bracket or a little less as the 790
More then 20 HP
Decent loader

While I know that "decent loader" is very general, i'm at least looking for something comparable to the JD 790 as that is the current tractor I have the most experience with as far as specs go.

I also LOVE the Century I drove, but to the tune of $16,700 + for tractor and loader (Century 2028, 30 HP, Sync Reverser), I think i'll look elsewhere. I really don't want to spend that much money, and while the reverser is nice, it's not absolutly necessary. The fact of the matter is, I'll be doing mostly brush hogging after the initial cleanup, and that will generally require me to drive in circles at about the same speed.

Thanks for all the help and encouragement. This is one of the more stressful purchases EVER! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I mean, with a car, you figure it will last you around 5 - 10 years with my 60 mile (both ways) commute to work. But with a tractor, you're looking for something which will in all likelyhood last 20+ years! And since I don't believe in trading in (if I can help it /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif, I'd like to do this right the first time)

Thanks again all!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[RoyJackson]

What kind of prices are you getting?

Personally, I'm more concerned about that monthly payment rather then if I get 10% or so off list. If I don't think a price is fair, I'll make a counter offer...then walk away if necessary.
Unfortunately, CUT's are in high demand in some areas...sounds like your area may be one of them. That makes it a seller's market.

If you really want a 790 and the payments are reasonable, I suggest you just go for it. Can you get a better price elsewhere? Maybe..maybe not... Just go with the one you like the best...

BTW, although I really like Deere...I'd sure look at the Kubota's and NH TC-30's. I prefer the 790 over the TC-30 but it does appear to be a nice tractor. As far as the Kubota's...the B7800 wasn't available when I bought my first tractor (a Deere 670) and when I did go for another it was a lind of impulse deal that (fortunately!!!) turned out very good for the dealer and me.

I know I'll get flamed for this, but I think that 790 tractor will outlast the others...basically, it's comparable to the Ford 8N's as far as simplicity and durability. Right now I've about 3 acres. As long as I don't go more then 10 acres, the 790 would be quite suitable for my current and foreseeable needs.

Now...if I won the lottery...well, I'd have to do some thinking then...

Good luck!

 

[mwood]

Roy -- I totally agree with the monthly payment idea. However, i'm getting quoted at around $15,000 for the tractor and FEL alone. I was really hoping to get something that same figure including a rotary cutter. This would make my monthly payments around $250 or so which is acceptable for me as long as I don't have to shell out money up front for the rotary cutter, etc.

Both of the JD dealerships I've dealt with so far in my area have not sold any other brand of implements. I'm going to go up to another dealership around 30 miles away which sells frontier and KK (I believe) as well. For my needs, either other cutter would work for me and might save a few $$. We'll have to see.

In an ideal world, I'm going to want to get a box blade too, but one dealer quoted me around $600 for a pretty basic one and this seemed high to me. It will be for light use here and there, so I don't need anything heavy duty.

As you said, the Kubota B7800 also looks apealing. Someone on the Kubota forum said they were just quoted $15,100 for an HST. If that is the case, i'd be willing to shell out the extra few hundred (from my best JD 790 quote) to look into that.

Please don't flame me too bad, but i'm with Roy on the durability of the 790 series. Those are very simple and yet very capable tractors. I think they will nto only last a long time, but i'm still not too sure how I feel about trying to fix a Hydro in 10 years if something were to go wrong. I've taken apart my fair share of transaxles, etc so I feel a lot more comfortable with them. Since I am buying for life, and want to do all my post warrenty repairs, I think the gears may be the way to go in that respect. But i'll try to remain open till I find the "perfect fit" with both tractor and price.

Thanks all!

 

[790guy]

I bought mine within the last few months, 13,300 with FEL.
Find a dealer outside of those two and let them know what you will pay. you give them a number! and say I will buy it today. The more you take control, the more educated you sound and they will also think you are serious and not kicking tires.

Roy has alot of good points to his reply.

I don't care what anybody says! NOTHING has better resale value than Deere.

Don't be penny wise and dollar foolish!

 

[GONO2]

Here's what I paid a few weeks ago for a new one.

790 4wd R4's (filled rear) DSCV
5 Quick Tack Weights w/ pin
419 Loader (61" standard bucket w/ level indicator)
LX5 cutter
Frontier 72" Box Blade
Frontier 72" Rear Blade
$15346.00 (before taxes)

The total for the tractor, loader, and weights (everything but the implements) was $13,664

If you are wiling to drive south - I'm sure you could match the above deal. Ask Roy - he bought from the same person as I did and look where he lives..... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[DAP]

mwood, I've been pricing tractors for almost 2 years now in the southern tier of new york.

Here's my advice.

1. Check out pricing with counties WELL NORTH and EAST of you.

2. Start preparing yourself for buying a tractor out of state.

3. Start preparing yourself for buying a tractor out of state.

 

[cherymax]

If it's not too late... try www.midlawns.com you'd have to pay shipping... but wouldn't pay taxes. They have pretty good prices.

 

[Todd_C]

I attempted to purchase a 790 at my local dealer. I should have known something was wrong when the dealership looked like a new car franchise. The floor inside the building looked like Italian marble tile. The dealer asked a few questions and mentioned he knew a good friend of mine. Then came the hit. He quoted me $17,600 (does not include tax) for a FWD 790, Fel, rear blade, and rotary mower. I did not go back. I found another dealer and bought another brand. I read all the comments on this forum for several months and shopped around on the internet. I got within $200 of the best price I found and saved more than that by not driving 450 miles. The more you know the better off you are.