With 2ac of lawn to mow i would be looking at a zero turn not a slow to mow lawn tractor. Why even collect the leaves? I have been mulching mine in for 2 years and by the first snow fall you wont even see the bits under the grass.
If buying an L2501, why not package that with a Kubota garden tractor and try to leverage a better deal. If not, look into the X500 series. I've got an X580 purchased used and it is a good machine. I looked heavily at the top line Cub Cadets, read as much as possible online, and watched any youtube video I could find. I did not get a good feeling for longevity. As a matter of fact, my last visit to a dealer to look at the Cub, there was a used XT3 for sale outside that had been returned 1 week after purchase. Did not instill confidence.
New Holland T2310 (40hp), Kubota L3010 GST, New Holland TC21DA *** Previously - Farmall H, 1941 John Deere B, Shibaura SD1500, John Deere 850, Bobcat 642, New Holland 1925