jeffmazz said:
orgt,
I talked to my dealer today and got some pricing for the two tractors you are considering.
The tractor blue book only lists trade in value. They don't offer a retail # any more.
Trade in value on the 1997 WheelHorse 267-H with a 52" deck is $890.00. If the unit is in exceptional condition it will bring $100-$300 more.
Estimated retail on this unit with 500 hrs, in very good condition is around $1,400.00 (that's my dealers opinion). The dealer said considering the mowing season is nearing an end he would think your dealer would probably take $1,200.00 unless he gave too much when he traded it. The Kohler engine should last beyond 1000 hrs. but will most likely not see 2000 hrs. Some do but most don't. Considering it took me 10 years to put 300 hrs on my 520H cutting 1.5 acres every week (2 hours/week) during the season, along with using it for misc. chores.....This unit will probably give you well over ten years of service. Maybe $1500.00 isn't such a bad deal after all. I would still shoot for $1200.00 though.
The 1999 Cub Cadet 3185 trade in value with a 48" deck is $2,150.00. An exceptionally clean unit will bring a few hundred more. Estimated retail on this unit with 300 hrs. in very good condition is $2700.00 (again, this is my dealers opinion).
Hope this info. helps. Good Luck with your tractor hunt.
Jeff
Wow I'm speechless this is SO nice of you (and of your dealer, wish I had one of those around here, read below)! I think that having at least an idea of trade-in value is a big help, glad to see it's still out there.
I've been doing more research lately and to be honest right now I'm keeping my options wide open. For one I'm wondering if I should even consider anything that's not shaft-driven. When I bought my last tractor my neighbor was mowing with that really nice Ingersoll (I think) and I distinctly remember him telling me that it just didn't even compare with a belt-driven machine. How right was he because a mere 7 years later I need another tractor!
That 3185 CC was quite appealing but guess what, after an initial quick reply from that JD dealer which was encouraging, I sent him back a short list of important but fairly standard questions. He hasn't bothered to reply... I guess he doesn't need my business.
Unless I missed something amongst other brands (please tell me folks!) a used 2000 or better yet (for me) 3000 Cub Cadet series are the only small, shaft tractors that would be in my ballpark even by the Spring when hopefully we have mo' money (at which point I might even be able to go new with a lil' luck LOL.)
Guess what Jeff? I just looked at your profile and I just about fell off my chair when I realized that you live only 50 miles away! Would you mind sharing with me/us who that nice dealer is? And what brands do they sell? Or feel free to PM me if you prefer. I don't mind driving a bit for good prices and service, and maybe you and I could arrange to meet too (drink's on me.)
The reason I'm asking is that I've been pretty frustrated that out the the 4 or 5 Cub dealers within 25 miles, NOT ONE has a web site (the main CC site doesn't bother listing those anyway for any of their dealers, which just astonished me, there's no excuse for that in 2006.) One of those dealers, in Chambersburg PA I know is pretty large overall because I bought machinery from them (not Cub though) back in 1999. I could not believe that they don't even list their used sales on Ironsearch or anywhere that I could find on the web.
Anyway I've got a number of specific CC questions but I should probably post those on that forum.
Thanks again.