Is that local business a Husqvarna dealership? Not to take anything away from any of the big box stores, but you know me, I always recommend buying from a dealership for the service they can offer after the initial purchase. I'm sure they can also offer extended warranties.

If you should have some issues with your machine, a big box store may not be able to do much more than offer you another one as a replacement if it's still covered under warranty, or refer you to a dealership for repair, and your problem might not be a priority to a dealership if you bought from somewhere else.

 

X2!! The Husqvarna is a better machine in terms of reliability. The engine in the Troy-Bilt is probably a Kohler Courage. Look them up on Google, need not say more!!

 

A dealership might even work with you on the price on either the tractor of the warranty, or maybe both. Don't quote me on that, but it's worth asking. Plus, they may have services, like pick up and delivery in the event you don't have the means to transport the tractor yourself.

 

how much does a mower depreciate when you leave the store?

 

Stay away from a Troy-Bilt with a Courage! Eric is right, they're not good motors at all!

The below link is to a recent thread that shows what happens to some Courages.

http://www.mylawnmowerforum.com/forum/42-lawn-mower-main-forum/34673-not-even-eric.html

 

Well, the grass must be pretty high, by now. How about a two-fer? Buy the big Husquvarna all wheel drive walk behind for 500 dollars. Then, go to Lowes and get a Troy Bilt Pony for $999.00. You are at $1500.00 and ready for anything. After July 4th, the prices on these things start to drop. A lot. But, the selection gets kind of thin, too.

 

You're only buying the Troy Bilt name. They sold out to MTD long ago. They (Troy bilt) made great tillers. When they went out of business things changed.... I'll stop there.

 

I'm gonna throw my 2 cents in :2cents:.... I owned an MTD Gold (the Troy Bilt XP sister) exact same specs per machine and for the 1 1/2 yr I owned mine I really didn't experience any major problems. That's not saying much, But between the 4 yards I mowed (that's including mine) it did a very good job. I maintained my engine and lawn mower keeping her clean. Here's a picture before I sold at almost 2 years old:







Needless to say for the cost of these machines and how they operate they're not all that bad. I heard a lot of the negative things about the Courage and that's part of the reason I got rid of it. Along with the carb failing after 1 season. (That was mainly me on lack of draining fuel during off season) Although I will say after all that's been said if I could go back I would probably get a Husqvarna. I've heard a countless number of good things about the brand and I repeatedly see them in use driving around the neighborhood and nearby cities. It's well built and better yet most incorporate the B&S engines. I'll never go back to a single cylinder after recently purchasing a v-twin. There is ample power for the job and never have that bog down feeling no matter what I'm tackling. Hope this helps with your decision. :2th:

 

Well said!