BX24 buying advice

SrChf · Apr 23, 2011

I have decided to get a SCUT TBL w/ MMM.

My two options seem to be:

1) A brand new 2010/2011 23hP BX24 TBL, w/60" MMM and Box scraper for a 'best price' of $20,555 (out the door [tax, delivery, everything]) financed at 0% for 60 months through Kubota. (a $342.58 payment for 60 payments)

2) Used 2010 (100 hrs) JD2305 TBL, 24HP w/54" MMM (no box scraper) from a friend of a friend who listed it on his lot for 18,900 but will sell it to me for $16,500. Best interest rate I have been able to find is 8.5% from Navy Federal Credit Union, which, for 60 months, would be a payment of $338 for 60 payments ($4 less/mo than the brand new BX)

At a whopping total of $240 savings over 5 years to get the used unit, seems like a no brainer to go new and get the BX, but I wanted to bounce this off all you experienced folks just to make sure I wasn't missing something.

Are the JD2305 and BX24 the closest equivalents to eachother?

What other brand/model numbers (that you know has comparable financing to Kabota's current 0%/60M deal) should I consider? (New Holland, Massey Ferguson, etc)

I gotta admit, I really do prefer the color green and yellow over construction orange...silly I know, but I cant get that out of my head (and this is truly over color and not brand - I dont have a brand pref. If the 'bota came in the JD color scheme of green and yellow, then that problem would be solved)

Last quesiton: I am willing to wait some in order to save some cash...so what nationwide dealers should I check with to compare against my local offer?

This will be for a 5 acre wooded plot in Edgewater MD that has 1 acre cleared but needs a lot of grading, drainage improvement, firewood management, garden and lawn maintenance, etc.

Thanks All!

TripleR · Apr 23, 2011

We own a BX2660 and John Deere 2305. We bought the 2660 after the 2305 if that tells you anything. The 2305 is being discontinued and while its replacement looks nice there have been setbacks and won't be delivered until June and you are then dealing with first production year issues.

This year, in this size, I would go with a Kubota, but next year it will probably favor the new Deere.

ayelvington · Apr 23, 2011

If you're getting a BX24, then you're getting a backhoe in the deal, and that adds a lot of value. I don't know what comes with the JD, but the JD specs sheet doesn't mention a backhoe.

Speaking from experience, that backhoe will certainly come in handy for drainage projects. The same goes for the box grader for doing its job.

My regrets to your friend, but I see the Kubota being a better value to you. Green paint is just too spendy.

(I used to evaluate proposals, and this would be a no-brainer for a govt purchase.)

SrChf · Apr 23, 2011

TripleR said:
We own a BX2660 and John Deere 2305. We bought the 2660 after the 2305 if that tells you anything. The 2305 is being discontinued and while its replacement looks nice there have been setbacks and won't be delivered until June and you are then dealing with first production year issues.

This year, in this size, I would go with a Kubota, but next year it will probably favor the new Deere.

Thanks TripleR, that's very helpful! My local JD dealer told me about the production issues of the replacement for the 2305. If it is as nice as you say it will be I would consider waiting for the new 2305 IF they could match the Kubota financing! Big If. Those of you that have been around awhile...has JD ever offered 0% for 60months (or better?)

Tompet · Apr 23, 2011

You may want to check out the Massey 2410 and 2610 TLB setup's. 0% up to 72 mo. available along with some other promotional variations. They have been around awhile and are solid units.

TripleR · Apr 23, 2011

SrChf said:
Thanks TripleR, that's very helpful! My local JD dealer told me about the production issues of the replacement for the 2305. If it is as nice as you say it will be I would consider waiting for the new 2305 IF they could match the Kubota financing! Big If. Those of you that have been around awhile...has JD ever offered 0% for 60months (or better?)

I believe the model number on the the replacement for the 2305 is 1023 and 1026R. The forum JD has some threads on it. Things I like are the position control 3-point, quick attach deck and back hoe, FEL and no exposed HST fan; sure there are others, but that is all I can think of.

I have however made it a policy to never buy in the first year of production and it saved me on the 2007 Tundra.

Just my:2cents:

SrChf · Apr 23, 2011

TripleR said:
I believe the model number on the the replacement for the 2305 is 1023 and 1026R. The forum JD has some threads on it. Things I like are the position control 3-point, quick attach deck and back hoe, FEL and no exposed HST fan; sure there are others, but that is all I can think of.

I have however made it a policy to never buy in the first year of production and it saved me on the 2007 Tundra.

Just my:2cents:

Thanks, I'll look those up.

Great point on the 1st year model principle. The fact they are having 'issues' makes it even more of a concern I think.

SrChf · Apr 23, 2011

ayelvington said:
If you're getting a BX24, then you're getting a backhoe in the deal, and that adds a lot of value. I don't know what comes with the JD, but the JD specs sheet doesn't mention a backhoe...
(I used to evaluate proposals, and this would be a no-brainer for a govt purchase.)

The JD offer I was given includes a BH which, as you prolly know, is a 7k value new.

SrChf · Apr 23, 2011

Tompet said:
You may want to check out the Massey 2410 and 2610 TLB setup's. 0% up to 72 mo. available along with some other promotional variations. They have been around awhile and are solid units.

Now that is some useful info. Didnt know MF was offering that. I will certainly check it out!

As you maybe can tell, I dont have 20k to drop on a SCUT so I am forced to use financing - so my options seem to be limited to those companies offering smoking financing deals right now (as late model/low hours used SCUTS at an 8.5% interest really fades out of the picture for me when you compare the two - which is pretty cool, I mean, who dont like new stuff? This would be a first for me. I always buy big ticket items used...

radioman · Apr 23, 2011

are you sure its a bx24? not a bx25 ? I barely paid that much for my bx24 4 years ago for everything . TLB, 60 MMM, and tiller. The massey gc and kubota BX is pretty much the same thing. Both are good values. Only thing right now is the parking brake issue on the GC model. If you go with BX25, nearly all issues is resolved compared to bx24.

TripleR · Apr 23, 2011

SrChf said:
Now that is some useful info. Didnt know MF was offering that. I will certainly check it out!

As you maybe can tell, I dont have 20k to drop on a SCUT so I am forced to use financing - so my options seem to be limited to those companies offering smoking financing deals right now (as late model/low hours used SCUTS at an 8.5% interest really fades out of the picture for me when you compare the two - which is pretty cool, I mean, who dont like new stuff? This would be a first for me. I always buy big ticket items used...

And here I keep hearing all government employees are rich.:laughing:

My son was on the VBSS unit off the USS Carney.

SrChf · Apr 23, 2011

Alright guys...it gets more interesting!

I just got email responses from two folks in the mix on this.

The JD2305 that this friend of a friend is offering me is a 2007!! not a 2010. And the FEL is a 200x not a 200cx. I'm all about quick disconnect. so, this pretty much takes this JD2305 out of the picture.

now check out the second email I got.

I did an online 'make your own offer' with Barlows, a big online dealer in the south, and made the following online offer:

a BX25 TLB (not a BX24) with 60" MMM, BH, FEL and, get this, non-corrosive liquid filled tires, backhoe thumb (basically maxxed out the options they ask if you want) and offered him $20,000 OTD (Out The Door, to include shipping).The only thing the local BX24 has that this mail order BartonsBX25 one wont have is the $600 box blade.

He just emailed me back and said he would accept the offer. (while mentioning i get charged $17/mo for 'financing insurance' - whats that all about?) anyway...

I now feel like the guy that thinks...'woah - that was almost too fast...did I offer too much'? aaaahhggh. I'd feel like a total tool to go back and say...did I say 20k? I meant 19k...or some crap.

Thankfully I have you's guys to help me know if this is an amazing deal or...

standing by, anxiously, for your thoughts.

SrChf · Apr 23, 2011

TripleR said:
And here I keep hearing all government employees are rich.:laughing:

My son was on the VBSS unit off the USS Carney.

very cool. I did a VBSS stint on the USS Bunker Hill about a million years ago. I was the Security Team leader...which meant I was the first beady head that popped up the side of the ship to check if they were going to shoot at us or not. lovely job.

While I have never, ever complained that we dont get paid enough, it always seems to get spent regardless of what rank you are. We are, sadly, still living paycheck to paycheck - 22 years into this canoe club.

radioman · Apr 23, 2011

I think barlows deal is pretty good. The thumb is a very nice add on. Since you would be getting a bx25 with all the options, I think its a fair deal. Why not call up barlows and discuss it a bit more? Ask if he can throw in the boxblade deal for you?
Can anyone else comment on this?

SrChf · Apr 23, 2011

Im not trying to make this difficult, really I'm not, and I know this is a 'bota sub-forum here, so forgive the rabbit trail on this next point...but I gotta ask you all:

I just looked up the MF2610 as suggested by TOMPET, and now there is a third contender in this decision. (BTW, I like red, as a color goes, compared to punkin orange)

I just ran a 'build your own' on the MF website and got a $19,787 initial quote on a Massey 2610 TLB with the upgraded R4 tires, and street pads on the BH using the 0%/72M financing option (I'm sure cash gets you a break). This does not, of course, include MMM, Box Blade, Tax, Delivery, yadayada.

So...brothers...what should I offer Barlows for one-a-these-babys WITH a 60"MMM and BB? Lets hit bone on this one!

SrChf · Apr 23, 2011

radioman said:
I think barlows deal is pretty good. The thumb is a very nice add on. Since you would be getting a bx25 with all the options, I think its a fair deal. Why not call up barlows and discuss it a bit more? Ask if he can throw in the boxblade deal for you?
Can anyone else comment on this?

I will do that! Thanks!

CHDinCT · Apr 23, 2011

Make sure the BX25 deal from Barlow's (or the BX24 for that matter) includes the 3PH. They were standard on the BX24 and optional on the BX25. I paid $17,400 before tax for a BX25 here in CT with no deck (kept my old deck from my BX1860). That price included the 3PH, welded on bucket hooks, and delivery. Not a great deal but they offered me the best price on my trade in. They were asking $1,700 for the 54" deck new, so if I add that in plus 6% CT sales tax, plus some more for a box blade, thumb, and the incremental cost of a 60" deck over a 54" one, I'm somewhere north of $21K. Based on that, the Barlow's deal looks pretty good. While he might be able to do a little better, I would not feel cheated doing that deal.

JOHNTHOMAS · Apr 23, 2011

The BX24 hasn't been made in at least two maybe three years and it has a problem with an abrupt stop in reverse. I had a BX2350 (same series as BX24) and the stop was so bad for me that I traded it within a few months to a BX2660 which I kept for a year or two before trading it for a BX25 last year.
Deduct the thumb and add the BB and you'll be comparing same equipped tractors then add the thumb and see how much more adding it costs. I'd ask Barlows their price instead of making them an offer, that's what I've done with the 13 I've bought from them and they've always given me good prices. After you get a fair deal from them, then ask them to throw in a hat and tell them to schedule delivery. :thumbsup:

Don't think anyone will beat their price delivered.

TripleR · Apr 23, 2011

SrChf said:
very cool. I did a VBSS stint on the USS Bunker Hill about a million years ago. I was the Security Team leader...which meant I was the first beady head that popped up the side of the ship to check if they were going to shoot at us or not. lovely job.

While I have never, ever complained that we dont get paid enough, it always seems to get spent regardless of what rank you are. We are, sadly, still living paycheck to paycheck - 22 years into this canoe club. pathetic I know.

Yep, that is what my son did too and he liked it for some reason.

Agreed, the pay isn't too bad, but sure could be better for the sacrifices, thanks for your service.

Oh, I have found no matter how much a person makes (within reason), it is still pretty much paycheck to paycheck for most.