if i'm buying used, it's usually a matter of taking what you can get at the best deal. for new, when there's warranty issues to think about, i'd be more likely to go with the better dealer (if there is a difference) over repair cost or brand. closer to home is better, as is parts inventory stock. this is a tough question to ask online. best bet is going to be feedback from locals about service.
other than that, i'd base it on the tractor (again, not on dollars and cents, but common sense). i know when i bought my jd770, the closest comparable kubota was a little bit more tractor (size, weight, hp) for the same price. both dealers were old established ones, and were the same distance away (you can pretty much throw a baseball from parking lot to parking lot). the difference was in the machine. while the kubota was better on paper for the money, it was an older design. i found it more awkward to climb on between the loader frame and fenders, to shut it off you had to turn a key and pull a lever (like the old 50's ones on my family's farm). it also had a glass bowl fuel filter that looked to be in a place where i would likely drive a limb into it. after weighing the factors, i went with ergonomics and modern refinements over dollars per horsepower.
if i was buying another one now, i'd look at them all again and weigh the factors. no guarantees i'd keep the same brand - i'd go with whatever one was best for me at that time.
other than that, i'd base it on the tractor (again, not on dollars and cents, but common sense). i know when i bought my jd770, the closest comparable kubota was a little bit more tractor (size, weight, hp) for the same price. both dealers were old established ones, and were the same distance away (you can pretty much throw a baseball from parking lot to parking lot). the difference was in the machine. while the kubota was better on paper for the money, it was an older design. i found it more awkward to climb on between the loader frame and fenders, to shut it off you had to turn a key and pull a lever (like the old 50's ones on my family's farm). it also had a glass bowl fuel filter that looked to be in a place where i would likely drive a limb into it. after weighing the factors, i went with ergonomics and modern refinements over dollars per horsepower.
if i was buying another one now, i'd look at them all again and weigh the factors. no guarantees i'd keep the same brand - i'd go with whatever one was best for me at that time.
