One thing to consider when buying used vs. new is that if there is a problem, you can spend quite a bit of the savings gettting it fixed and still come out ahead. If in your example you really can save $5000, it would take a moderately serious failure to burn through that much in repairs. If you know what you are getting into in terms of any necessary repair or maintenance costs (or have the machine looked at by somebody who can advise you), you can make an appropriate offer on the machine.
I purchased my little JD used with 475 hours. It needed new front tires, some front steering linkage work, and perhaps someday soon some front axle work because I suspect it was never shifted out of 4wd during any of its 475 hours. Even if I end up replacing major components in the the front axle, I will have saved enough buying used to come out way ahead. Like far enough ahead to get the tractor, a deck, blade, broom, and a toy for my nephew for enough less than the price of the new tractor without attachments. There was even enough remaining difference to add a NEW front loader to it.
The flip side of course is the time and hassle of getting any repairs done. If you are not mechanically inclined or don't have the time to maintain an older machine, buying a new machine every few years is one way to avoid a lot of age-related problems with the equipment. There is still the issue of manufacturing, design, and random defects, but most of the big brand names will have a low incidence rate of problems on new equipment.
Another reason to buy new is the shine factor. Some people like their machines to be shiny on the outside. This can be for various reasons. Maybe they use their tractor as more of a toy than a tool. Maybe they collect tractors. Maybe they enjoy being able to afford nice new stuff. A good cleaning, some paint touch-up, a good wax job and some armour-all can take years off the apparent age of a tractor.
I wouldn't consider 75 hours to be a seriously used machine. A well-maintained tractor should go into the 1000's of hours before it is "worn-out".
- Rick
I purchased my little JD used with 475 hours. It needed new front tires, some front steering linkage work, and perhaps someday soon some front axle work because I suspect it was never shifted out of 4wd during any of its 475 hours. Even if I end up replacing major components in the the front axle, I will have saved enough buying used to come out way ahead. Like far enough ahead to get the tractor, a deck, blade, broom, and a toy for my nephew for enough less than the price of the new tractor without attachments. There was even enough remaining difference to add a NEW front loader to it.
The flip side of course is the time and hassle of getting any repairs done. If you are not mechanically inclined or don't have the time to maintain an older machine, buying a new machine every few years is one way to avoid a lot of age-related problems with the equipment. There is still the issue of manufacturing, design, and random defects, but most of the big brand names will have a low incidence rate of problems on new equipment.
Another reason to buy new is the shine factor. Some people like their machines to be shiny on the outside. This can be for various reasons. Maybe they use their tractor as more of a toy than a tool. Maybe they collect tractors. Maybe they enjoy being able to afford nice new stuff. A good cleaning, some paint touch-up, a good wax job and some armour-all can take years off the apparent age of a tractor.
I wouldn't consider 75 hours to be a seriously used machine. A well-maintained tractor should go into the 1000's of hours before it is "worn-out".
- Rick
