Brand New B2150; Good Deal?

[Kelvin]

The situation that I am about to describe is like finding a brand new 1998 automobile or truck on the lot in late 2001; how much of a price reduction would make it a good deal? Note that this discussion is mainly for academic purposes only; I already have a B2150 and wouldn’t mind upgrading my B7100, but I am not actively looking to trade right now (unless a really good deal came along). The advantage for me to upgrade the B7100 to a B2150 (whenever I do upgrade) is that they could share the existing FEL, and I wouldn’t have to teach the wife how to use the new tractor.

Here is the story. I was out of town the other day and drove past a Kubota dealer. Then of course, I turned around and stopped to look around.

I noticed a B2150 (4wd, hydrostatic, 60" mid-mower) setting next to a B2910 in the "New" tractor section. That caught my eye, so I went over and checked it out and was surprised to see that it had about 1.4 hours on it.

B2150 Information: Last produced in the 1998-1999 time frame (I don't know the exact end-of-production time frame). It was the top-of-line B-series Kubota until the B2710 and B2910 came along; it has a 4-cylinder 24hp engine. Supposedly, the B2400 (flat-deck, 24hp 3-cylinder) tractor was originally supposed to replace it but the 4-cylinder B2150 continued to be a good selling tractor.

The asking price for the B2150 with mid-mower and the B2910 w/o mower were the same (mid 13K price range). Now, that would be an excellent price for the B2150 if it were 1998 when I was getting quotes of 12.5K for a new one without the mid-mower. The good side is that it would still have the new warranty (I didn’t ask but I assume this); unfortunately though, as soon as you drive it off the lot it still becomes a 2 or 3 year old used tractor with low hours. Now, if you paid the same price for the B2910, I figure that when you drove it off the lot it would be worth more as a “newer” used tractor than the B2150 would be. Is that proper reasoning logic or have I left some important thought out?

Kelvin

 

[DarinRay]

I think you have thought this out very well and I agree with your logic. I would much rather have a 2910 used with low hours than the 98 2150 with low hours. I think other would feel the same unless they had the same setup as you and would be able to interchange all the implements with a twin brother or sister. Hmmmmm...Boy now I'm not sure what I would suggest. Ah what the hay you don't need a twin get yourself a 2910 w/ loader and midmount. Of course that sounds good until you have to pay for it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. Well goodluck with what ever you do and I too look forward to hear what others think.

Darin

 

[Muhammad]

Remember though, that tractors are different than cars, in that the B2150 could be a 1993 model brand new and that wouldn't change what it's worth today so long as it was comparable to the 1998... warranty or no warranty, same options, etc. With tractors, there's more stock put in hour usage and condition than age in years, while automobiles see much more depreciation based on age.

But what does change what it's worth is the fact that the B2710 and B2910 exist... those two tractors make the purchase of a B2150 less logical... I was recommending people buy the B2150 in 1998 since in my opinion, at the time, the B2150 was simply a better tractor than the similarly priced B2400 for what most people were going to use it for... Production ended sometime in 1998. My records say that Kubota warehouses had 26 in stock as of January 22, 1999, but up to 400 more were floating around at dealers. B2710 was introduced in the fall of 1998.

 

[frank_f15]

lets see! a basicly 4 year old tractor(24hp) for the same price of a new b2910. in my mind there is no doubt, u go for the 2910,if u were going to buy one. don't really see the advantage of twin tractors or than being able to use the same implements.

 

[Charliebrn]

Another thing to throw out there.... I remember a good mechanic telling me that a car that is in new shape cosmetically after sitting, say, in a barn for 4 years, basically untouched can have HUGE problems waiting. His argument was that the seals and things that need oil on them regularly dry up. Now maybe diesels don't have this problem, but his logic sounds good to me. Course, I could be wrong....

 

[Anonymous Poster]

It has been said many times, mostly by dealers, that the year of the tractor does not matter only the condition and hours. I don't believe it. The price a tractor will sell for is based on what the buyers are willing pay. I had a compact for sale in the spring and got 30 to 40 calls. Almost every one of those calls asked what year the tractor was. In my experience, for most of the buying public this is important. Maybe all those buyers don't know what the are talking about, but they are the ones with the money.

Andy