I did talk to Country Clipper directly and asked them why the joystick wasn't as popular as the twinstick.
They told me (for what its worth) that the single joystick was more popular among the "newcomers" to the ZTR market, and that the "old pros" who had alot of seat time with the twinstick "just didn't like" that single joystick (reason why the do offer a twinstick, market is there).
My father was the primary reason for the mower. Trying to get him to move in with me and he loves riding his old wheel horse up in Pa. He tried my neighbors ZTR twinstick, and it just plain wore him out with his shoulders after a short time (he's pushing mid 70's). He can ride the Country Clipper all day and actually enjoy it (although some of the terrain is "rough" and he can get a "little sore" the next day).
I might add, he had never been on a ZTR before, and the "learning curve" was much quicker on the Country Clipper with the joystick. compared to the twinstick.
As far as "control" of the machine, I think the "build" of the and experience with the machine plays a major factor.
Honestly, I don't mind the twinstick at all (gives my left hand somthing to do /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) (although I felt like a could "drive" a twinstick with no problem, I did not have the "one hand drive" down with that unit)
If I didn't have a tractor to get, new heat pump to install and a new roof to put on (not in that order /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif) it "might" of been a toss up between that front mount grasshopper (deisel, sp? of course) or the Kubota ZD series.
But...I did save ALOT of money, dealer seems like he knows what hes doing, the manufacturer you can actually (sp?) talk to, and most important, my dad loves it as well.
What I find some what funny is that the Scag was the very first unit I was "checking out" .
Tiger cub, 19hp Kawa, 48" deck for 6k.