Don't know how the heck my old post got revived, but yes i did buy the 2500. Actually a 2554, 2005 model left over from last year.
I got the dealer to cut the price some for last year's model,
paid 3500 for it.
i like the metal hood also.
After a season of work and mowing, its one tough tractor. I have a hill on one side of my property that keeps washing out. So I put sod on it and seeded some. It's pretty steep probably 15% grade.
My 2554 pulled a 500 lb lawn roller up it with no problem at all. Like to see a belt drive do that.