Price Check - Used GT235

[SteveH_CT]

Hi guys - I'm out lawn tractor shopping today. I'm leaning towards the LX280 with the 48" deck. BUT - He has a used low hour GT235 out back that was traded in toward a ZTR. I don't know exact hours since I guess they didn't have the meter that model year (2001). I think the GT line is heavier than what I need for basic mowing and lawn care, so I wasn't looking at them new - but this used one is $3500 and it includes a front blade. The new LX280 is a few hundred more.

Opinions Please - I don't know what a good used GT is worth so I don't know if the price is high. I'm off now to go look at Toro. I also looked at Simplicity this morning... I'd swear folks say Deere is pricey - They seem very comparable when you look at comparable machines.

To my knowledge that's about all the brands around me. I don't want to go too far out for this - but I may go to the Bota place and see what they have as well.

Thanks All!

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

That price sounds about right.

 

[yellowsocks93]

Both are 18 hose air cooled Kawasaki motors so you just choose which machine you think rides the best and if you want more attachments I would go with the GT. If the GT is real mint I might go with that since it has a heaver frame.

 

[SteveH_CT]

Thanks to both of you. It seemed like a lot to me for a 3 year old lawn tractor, but looking at the new ones I see they aren't inexpensive.

I don't think I'd need many implements Nick - With the price pretty close to each other I am leaning towards the new machine since it has warranty, and I can throw it on my Deere account. I didn't actually check - but maybe I could do the same thing with the used GT.

 

[yellowsocks93]

If it is at a Deere dealer you can have him do an extended JD warranty and finance it if need be. If the new tractor will give you piece of mind I would go with that then. Both are excellent choices we just have 2 of the bigger framed Deere's now and they have really held up well. And the bigger tires ride smoother too.

 

[ducati996]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Both are 18 hose air cooled Kawasaki motors so you just choose which machine you think rides the best and if you want more attachments I would go with the GT. If the GT is real mint I might go with that since it has a heaver frame. )</font>

I would investigate if those machines have had the plastic timing gear ( it think is a timing gear) replaced - no I'm not making this up either..

The plastic will fail eventually and sooner than you would want...the newer engines of course have been fixed and will last a long time....FYI before you buy

Duc

 

[SteveH_CT]

Thanks - I found out the 2001 GT had a B&S engine where the new model has the Kawisaki. I wonder if that's the model your talking about with the plastic gear...

 

[yellowsocks93]

Oh boy, stay away from that Briggs and Stratton then! I forgot the older ones had the Briggs in them. I have seen quite a few Briggs in the shop lately from our JD pushmowers to the new L series with the Briggs. I rarely see the Kawasaki's come in for repair and if it is, it is minor.. I have had super good luck with the JD 320 and GT 242 we have with the Kawasaki motors.

 

[Ledgemere Farm]

You are right. The Kawasaki is much better.

 

[SteveH_CT]

I agree with both of you... I just had a better feeling about the Kawasaki engine. I've got to work on the head of finanace before I can do this. I got the initial no... but a very easy no... I see wiggle room /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.