I can say I was in the same position, but with different models in 2003. I went in looking at an x500 series (I believe) and the salesman had a 4010 (since morphed into some other model with a larger engine I believe) on the showroom floor. I went with the 4010 and never once have I regretted it. Even though 80% of my usage is mowing lawn I really appreciate what this tractor can do when I am working on other projects. With that said, the loader is the most important accessory I purchased and if I didn't need it for loader work I'm sure I could get by very nicely with the x700 line.