Buying Advice First tractor...John Deere 3038e 2017 sitting on the lot for a year vs 2018

[Milo]

I am new to the forum and new to tractors.... I am currently looking into getting my first tractor, a John Deere 3038e new from the local dealer. The one thing I can not get over is the fact that they only have 2017s that have been sitting on the lot for almost a year and they will not budge on price vs what once costs right out of the crate.

Mainly I am wondering if this is a common thing, as I know that tractors are not cars. It just seems odd that a tractor that has been sitting outside for a year is the same price as a new one out of a crate.

My experience in dealing with the local Deere stores is if they deal at all it's maybe a token discount. The only other manufacture I've dealt with is Kubota, I've purchased two tractors new from two different dealers, and both were discounted around 10% off msrp plus any factory incentives were deducted as well. You can "build your Kubota" on Kubota's website which will give you msrp and the site also shows what incentives are available. So while a Deere and Kubota may both list for a similar amount when it comes time to write the check the Kubota will be a good bit less.

It would take quite a discount to make me buy any tractor that's been siting out in the weather long enough to show any sign of rust or fading. I keep all my stuff as new looking as possible, always in a garage, so I insist the tractor I buy be fresh. (It was also important that it fit through a standard height garage door.)

As far as size I think you're in the right range for what you describe, in fact I do about the same tasks as you with a 26hp B series Kubota. Don't have to move as much snow as you get up there though.

 

[Tompet]

I am mainly hung up on the John Deere solely for the convenience and size of the dealer. They are close and they have several stores in the area so getting parts/service seems like it might be easier. I was thinking Yanmar, as there is a small mom and pop dealer that sells them right around the corner from me (I can literally drive it there), but he is a really small dealer that mostly deals in lawn mowers and truck plows. It seems like the tractors are an afterthought. I am open to other brands but most of the things I have read say "shop for a dealer first".

My suggestion is to go to the neighboring Yanmar dealer and check out models. You will get more for your money on a long established brand. If you are that concerned about the small dealer, how long has he been there and where is the next closest Yanmar dealer? Parts can be shipped, but in any event, look a bit more at other brands in your area.

Also, you wrote you wanted smaller frame tractor to fit in your garage, with your acreage get about the largest that will fit with your FEL counterweight of your choice. Enjoy the search.

 

[kcflhrc]

First of all, don't let people tell you the JD 0% financing isn't really 0% because it is. My payment is the price of the tractor and all accessories divided by 60 monthly payments, simple as that.

Secondly, I looked at all Compact Utility Tractors available to me within a 100 mile radius and the bottom line was my JD 3032E was the best deal going.

I have no regrets in my decision and feel for $19k for my tractor, loader, brush hog and rear blade was a fantastic deal and that price was with loaded tires delivered to my door. No one could touch that price.

 

[CobyRupert]

First of all, don't let people tell you the JD 0% financing isn't really 0% because it is. My payment is the price of the tractor and all accessories divided by 60 monthly payments, simple as that.
QUOTE]

Not exactly. Yes, your payment is the price divided by 60 months, but is the 0% financed price the same that you would of paid if you paid cash? If not, paying the additional difference over 60 months is equivalent to paying interest.

 

[kcflhrc]

First of all, don't let people tell you the JD 0% financing isn't really 0% because it is. My payment is the price of the tractor and all accessories divided by 60 monthly payments, simple as that.
QUOTE]

Not exactly. Yes, your payment is the price divided by 60 months, but is the 0% financed price the same that you would of paid if you paid cash? If not, paying the additional difference over 60 months is equivalent to paying interest.

Not sure why this is so hard to believe. But yes. I had the money to pay cash from the sale of our old house and the dealer told me same price, cash or finance so why not use their money for 5 years. So yeah, exactly

 

[corl]

You will want a bigger, heavier tractor within a year of your purchase for all the intended uses you have. Most tractors are dated by the sale date. You get the warranty as new when you buy your tractor. My Kubota MX5100 was built in 2012 and sold as a 2013 when I bought it mid year. It probably sat outside for 6 months. It is a tractor, not an exotic sports car. It works for a living as a utility tractor and produce garden tractor. It works great BTW. It does get to sit in the shed but doesn't get the care my Porsche gets. Its a tractor. It fulfills my needs and expectations. It is my fourth tractor and fits the reduced needs I presently have. No longer doing round bales for a beef cattle cow/calf operation. Yes it gets washed regularly and all service needs are done on schedule but its a tractor. If you need a queen of the garage then wait for a 2018 and keep it waxed and shiny. Look at other possibilities than green. I had 2 JD tractors in my past and i used them until they died. My IH was a good tractor too but I moved on to 4wd and downsized to my present needs. My present tractor is the first tractor I purchased new. I got 70% of the new price of my 35 year old IH574 when I traded it. Good tractors hold their value.

 

[TheMan419]

First of all, don't let people tell you the JD 0% financing isn't really 0% because it is. My payment is the price of the tractor and all accessories divided by 60 monthly payments, simple as that.

Secondly, I looked at all Compact Utility Tractors available to me within a 100 mile radius and the bottom line was my JD 3032E was the best deal going.

I have no regrets in my decision and feel for $19k for my tractor, loader, brush hog and rear blade was a fantastic deal and that price was with loaded tires delivered to my door. No one could touch that price.

Go in and get the price at 0%. Then tell them you are paying cash. Suddenly they will find a way to sweeten the deal. So that 0% is costing you something somewhere.

 

[Jstpssng]

First of all, don't let people tell you the JD 0% financing isn't really 0% because it is. My payment is the price of the tractor and all accessories divided by 60 monthly payments, simple as that.

Secondly, I looked at all Compact Utility Tractors available to me within a 100 mile radius and the bottom line was my JD 3032E was the best deal going.

I have no regrets in my decision and feel for $19k for my tractor, loader, brush hog and rear blade was a fantastic deal and that price was with loaded tires delivered to my door. No one could touch that price.

I believe that it was my comment which you are referring to. Deere may be different, but any time I've looked into special financing for a vehicle or more recently for a tractor; there is a cash incentive in lieu of the financing option. So while you paid $19000 for your tractor, you may have been able to get it for less without the financing. (If it was a Kubota, you would have paid 18000.) In my case with a down payment, it would have been advantageous; plus I wouldn't have started out upside down on my purchase. Results may vary, based on what your situation and what you are looking for.

 

[TractorGuy]

I have seen dealer ads stating the cash price or add $1500 for 0 percent financing. There is no such thing as 0 percent financing. The finance charge is built into the price.

 

[Deere Dude]

There are JD dealers near you and that works out well for any service calls. But, I would check JD dealers that are out of your area and you may get a lot better deal. The close dealers will still have to fix it for you contrary to what many people may say.

I checked 5 dealers withing 40 miles from home in WI for a CUT but ordered a new one from Missouri for thousands less with delivery included. In your travels stop at every JD dealer you can find and you might find one who is willing to bend more.