Help me to not get buyers remorse

[liftfilms]

Long story short; I have narrowed my mower search down to 3 mowers that I've found nearby with discounted prices. Help ease my mind about which one to pull the trigger on. Or should I hold off until later in October to find a better deal? I'm currently borrowing my dad's mower but the season is almost over so I can continue to do that until the grass stops growing. That will buy me some time. I'd appreciate any feedback you've got. Maybe you think of something I haven't. Thanks.

1) Gravely ZT 52 HD $4500 out the door
Pros
-price (demo model with only 1.5 hours on it)
-gravely name and customer service
-10 gauge deck
-3100 trans
-kawasaki engine
Cons
-smaller tires
-heavier
-1800 blade speed
-1 hour from my house (but plenty of service dealers nearby)

2) Dixon Ultra 52 $4500 out the door
Pros
-price (discounted price due to dixon being discontinued)
-good looking machine
-comfortable seat
-3100 trans
-1900 blade speed
-wider/larger tires
-zero hours
Cons
-Kohler courage pro
-dixon name being discontinued
-11 gauge deck

3) Dixon Ultra 52 SE approx $5,000 out the door ( i haven't negotiated a price yet)
Pros
-best looking machine (special edition) (black rims/chrome lettering)
-3400 transmission (commercial grade trans)
-1900 blade speed
-zero hours
-kawasaki engine
Cons
-1 hour from my house
-dixon being discontinued

 

[GreenCamo]

Check out the Deere Z600 Series - kind of a light duty commercial machine. Uses the old design 7-Iron commercial deck with slightly lighter steel. 4 year warranty and I think they went back to Kawi engines this year. Lists around 6K should be able to buy around $5,500 the most this time of year.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Of the 3 you listed I have no experience with Dixon...
But I do have some experience with Gravely...
We have a local Gravely dealership here in my area that has been in business for over 30 years...
They have sold a lot of mowers over the years and do a really nice job with service...
Gravely makes a very good products on par with other manufacturers...
I don't know what market Dixon has in your area but I would try to find some folks that have those models and talk to them...
I am sure that the dealers of both brands would point you to some of their satisfied customers...
Then just go with the dealer and product you feel most comfortable with...

 

[liftfilms]

Of the 3 you listed I have no experience with Dixon...
But I do have some experience with Gravely...
We have a local Gravely dealership here in my area that has been in business for over 30 years...
They have sold a lot of mowers over the years and do a really nice job with service...
Gravely makes a very good products on par with other manufacturers...
I don't know what market Dixon has in your area but I would try to find some folks that have those models and talk to them...
I am sure that the dealers of both brands would point you to some of their satisfied customers...
Then just go with the dealer and product you feel most comfortable with...

I don't have any experience with Dixon either. I just know they look like solid machines. Plus they're just plain good looking. I know that shouldn't be a top priority but its hard not to factor that in. Plus that Dixon Ultra 52 SE has the Kawasaki engine and 3400 transaxels. Do you think the 3400's are a big upgrade from the 3100's that are on the Gravely ZT HD ? Would I notice an improvement in handling or is it more about longevity with the heavier-duty transaxels?

thanks for your help.

 

[Garycw]

Not sure if this helps, but I'd get the Dixon SE. Parts won't be a problem. Gravely are diffinetly good too.
My reasoning on the SE is they're discontinuing them because the cost to produce them won't dupport the market. It seems the newer the machine the cheaper they're made, cutting corners to up the profit margin. For $500 difference, get the one you seem to like the best. Otherwise you may get the dreaded buyers remorse you speak of.

 

[liftfilms]

Not sure if this helps, but I'd get the Dixon SE. Parts won't be a problem. Gravely are diffinetly good too.
My reasoning on the SE is they're discontinuing them because the cost to produce them won't dupport the market. It seems the newer the machine the cheaper they're made, cutting corners to up the profit margin. For $500 difference, get the one you seem to like the best. Otherwise you may get the dreaded buyers remorse you speak of.

thanks for the feedback, Gary. Like you said, they're telling me that parts and service wont be a problem with the Dixon although its still tough to commit to a brand that isn't being made anymore. At the same time, I kind of like it more for that reason too. If its a good machine, I'll have it for a long time and no one else will have one like it. I know thats a dumb reason to want it more but I can't help it. haha.