Heartbroken...

   / Heartbroken... #11  
One more thing... a new L2500/L2600 w/loader can likely be purchased for somewhere near/around $13,500, or about $2,500 more than you were planning to pay for the used machine.

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   / Heartbroken...
  • Thread Starter
#12  
Muhammad -

Thanks! I emailed the guy for updated info. Seems like a lot of tractor for the price.

One of the basic rules for "intelligent" used tractor buying is to avoid deals where you can't at least do a test drive first. Could be difficult in this case.

Wen -- that's pretty close to you. Wanna nip on over and check it out for me? /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif


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   / Heartbroken... #13  
Harv,
Muhammed beat me to the post!! His price is right and is what I paid for a new L2500DT, model year 2000, bought from Carver and shipped to Syracuse NY. I looked for a used one but, like pick up trucks, they hold their value too well and the xtra two grand was worth it for a piece of equipment that lasts so long. I have 11 acres, all open, and while bigger is usually better, it's more than adequate power for what I do. My only regret is not getting the hydro but ANOTHER $2500 wasn't in the budget. (I was looking to spend around $10K but settled for $14 w/shipping, box blade etc). I'd strongly suggest trying to go new. 500 hours is about 3 years of use for me and I'd rather know how the equipment was maintained from the start if I could do that.
 
   / Heartbroken... #14  
BYW I forgot to mention that I was told by Carver that GA has a tax assessed on floor plans at the end of each year. ie The dealer has to pay a tax on every tractor on the lot as of C.O.B 12/31. The end of each year they have a large sale to get rid of all the tractors so they don't get grabbed on the tax. Should be coming up soon. Maybe that'll work out for you. Good luck.
 
   / Heartbroken...
  • Thread Starter
#15  
Gerard -

Thanks for sharing your experience. There seems to be an inclination towards buying new, but I am not totally convinced yet. But that could just be my wallet talking.
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.

I, too, started with a $10K limit but found no prospects until I bumped it up to $11K. Now it seems I may have to go to $13K, which puts me almost in reach of a new "economy" tractor. As per Wen's suggestion I am taking a hard look at the economy L series, but with Carver's web page under reconstruction I haven't learned much yet. I think "new" is still out of my price range, but I will definitely investigate. I'm an hour's drive away from any kind of real Kubota dealer, but I might just have to take time off and go take a look-see anyway.

Your L2500DT sounds like it would fit my needs like a glove, and you got a very good deal. Question, though -- Tractortips.com specs the L2500DT as not having any 3pt hitch. That's gotta be a typo, huh?

One more question on this whole new/used topic -- there is agreement that used Kubotas hold their value, so doesn't that imply that the used ones may be perfectly good machines?

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   / Heartbroken... #16  
Harv,
I have to agree with a couple of previous posts. I also had limited $. Looked at used....most were will used. Needed something to bush hog and pull a 6 foot disk. Opted for the L2500DT. It's plain but a lot of tractor for the $. And it's NEW. And all MINE!!! Don't have to worry how it was treated or if it ever got it's 50 hr. service. Good luck on your search.

Rod
 
   / Heartbroken... #17  
L2500 has a 3-point hitch. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif Used 'big 3' tractors are all going to be solid if well cared for and in good condition. I'd probably stay away from commercially-operated tractors, or tractors found on some rental yards. Don't confuse this with the rental programs some dealers run (like Carver) which can be great tractors (in 'new' condition with remaining warranty) for several thousand $$ less than the same machine new.

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   / Heartbroken... #19  
As Muhammed said, yes it does have a 3pt hitch (wouldn't be much of a tractor without one!!) Re used I agree that I wouldn't hesitate to but a used one if I knew how it was maintained. I'd prefer to buy from an original owner or from any of the people on this board!! My concern would be buying one from a rental return or lease where the operator knew they were just turning it back in and had no vested interest in keeping up with the maintenance. Same goes for rental returns. (I had more than one Pro tell me that for th real nasty jobs they used rented equipment rather than their own. I have to question if I want that kind of machine to save some $ short term) If you have the time and patience to keep looking for a private sale you may get lucky. I just couldn't wait and had looked all winter. (I contracted out snowplowing the first year but needed one by spring for grass/manure/grading/fence install etc.) The only downside I found to the economy series is no live PTO. That means when you put in the clutch the PTO stops turning. Kind of a pain in the a** when backing up bushhogging and it would make a snowblower kind of hard to use but saving the $2500 to move up to the Grande L series just wasn't happening.
 
   / Heartbroken... #20  
Well, looks like the heart is starting to mend. There are several reasons they hold their value so well. They are reliable and do last a long time and there are MORE buyers than sellers for used tractors. That keeps the price high.

If you trust a dealer, buying a new tractor sight unseen would be no risk and pretty small risk on a very clean tractor.

If 20% is what is seperating you from ownership of an equivalent new tractor to the one you had found that was 10 years old, then you just haven't decided to buy one yet. If it is a cash deal, then you have to have it in the bank or wait a little bit. If it is financed, then the difference is kinda insignificant since you have a 2 year protection against most repairs with the warranty.

Good luck. Yeah, if it's close, I will go drive it for you. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Order it from Zimmerer Tractor in Fort Worth and I will stop by on my way home and drive it for you. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
 

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