Happy but somewhat Disgruntled New Ferris owner

rjohnson82 · Apr 26, 2012

Hey guys,
After months of research and test drives, my new Ferris is2000Z was delivered this morning!!!!! I chose the 61" deck with 27 hp kawasaki. What an awesome machine. Dealer was very accommodating and gave me what I thought was a pretty fair deal. HOWEVER......He informed me that all machines he was selling were 2012 models, all 2011's were gone. I just got in from loookin it all over in my barn and I got to looking at the engine and noticed a sticker on the back side that says MANUFACTURE DATE: 0309.......I assume that means March 2009???? I have no doubt that the mower itself, minus engine, is a 2012 model but why would they put a "over 3 year old" engine on it??? The engine is new but....old. Kinda like NOS (new old stock)......NOE(new old engine)???? Is this common????? Its had 3 years to corrode inside, seals to age, etc.
It makes sense now because in the brochure for this model, it does not mention availability of a 27 hp Kaw, only a 26 and I believe a 34.
I'm tryin to decide how to handle this, if I should just let it go and accept it with a 3 year old engine or should I raise some ****?? I feel kinda misled and that i got something thats already 3 years old! At the price I paid for this thing I would expect a top of the line, newest and greatest product!!
Kinda frustrating!
Let me know your thoughts and if this is common or do I have the right to be mad!

Bird · Apr 26, 2012

Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. That situation is not really too unusual and your warranty began when you bought it. It's also a common situation with RVs (motorhomes). Motorhome manufacturers buy up chassis and engines and may be a year or two before they get around to building the rest of the motorhome. And some RVers get upset when they learn about it, just as you have with your ZTR. I once bought a new 1992 motorhome, but knew at the time that it had a 1991 engine in it. Sometimes they're even more that one year old, just as your engine possibly is. Just not a big deal to me.

brin · Apr 26, 2012

I take a different view..rjohnson, I know it would bother me...You paid a good deal for that machine and you are entitled to have a new machine...the chassis the engine...all of it should be 2012....You are right...those seals and gaskets etc. are now 3 yrs. old...Why not ask them to extend you warranty on the engine by 3 yrs. or else I would request a new machine...But that is just me.

beppington · Apr 26, 2012

Opposite direction: I bought a "2006" boat, but when it came in the title said "2007". I was talking to the manufacturer about something else & asked about that. He said their company has a fiscal year (understood), & if a boat hull is cast after whatever month/day during a year, their bean counters require that they title it as the next model year. Yay, free money ... in a boat?! :confused2: I don't think so. Anyway, I got one of the last 5 of this model, all 5 being titled 2007 even though their corporate data shows the model was only made until 2006. Kinda weird.

Sideline there -- Anyway, maybe that's the reason you got what you think (thought??!) was a "pretty fair deal". Would be irritating to me. I guess we now have to ask, "Is the entire unit brand new?" .. oh but also define "brand new". Oh and probably "entire unit". And maybe even "is" and "the".

greasemonkeyok · Apr 26, 2012

First question, are you certain about the manufacture date of the engine, or is this just speculation?

How many hours a year will you put on the mower? If you are not going to be using it a lot, then three years may be significant in the long term life of the seals. If you are going to wear it out in three or four years, it won't matter.

A decade ago I purchased a new PU that had been sitting on the dealer's lot for 12 months. The price was outstanding, but I was worried about the length of time and considered an extended warranty. I didn't purchase the warranty. Now at 10 years and 200k+ miles with NO repairs, I'm glad I didn't spend any money on an extended warranty.

Bird · Apr 26, 2012

I bought a "2006" boat, but when it came in the title said "2007". I was talking to the manufacturer about something else & asked about that. He said their company has a fiscal year (understood), & if a boat hull is cast after whatever month/day during a year, their bean counters require that they title it as the next model year.

Don't all the car manufacturers put out "next year's" models before the beginning of next year?:laughing: In other words, you could buy a new 2012 model long before 2012.

beppington · Apr 26, 2012

Bird said:
Don't all the car manufacturers put out "next year's" models before the beginning of next year?:laughing: In other words, you could buy a new 2012 model long before 2012.

Yes, but I don't think you get the pleasant surprise when you agree to buy a 2011 F150, then a 2012 comes in that's yours & they're not looking for extra $ :thumbsup:

rjohnson82 · Apr 26, 2012

just called Ferris and got no where. They basically told me its not uncommon for engines to be a year or two old before they're put on mowers. But this one is 3 years old! Guy was basically useless and told me its common practice. I"m just a bit upset because I spent $9500 on theyre mower with a left over engine from 3 years ago. GRRR

Bird · Apr 26, 2012

Guy was basically useless and told me its common practice

I think he told you right. I guess it would be nice if everyone were aware of it, but I imagine they expect most people to be like me. It just doesn't matter.