Thats right, I was actualy the 2nd buyer, the first lowballed him because of the busted up hood. I got it for $60 more than that guy lowballed it for and even got the other engine. The guy is moving to an appartment and needed it gone. He also has a brand new LA165 with 3 hours use on it that he was selling $500 under what he paid for it. As a mechanic, I dont care for all the twin cylinder machines that dont need to have a twin. Just that much more cost on overhaul/replacement and maintance. Most is to make up for the loss of torque from running lean to meet EPA ratings. Mowers will have catalytic converters built into the mufflers in the next couple of years thanks to big brother!! I saw the email from MTD on it, will add around $15 to the cost of each tractor. Some of my fellow tractor guys talk down on these vertical shaft tractors, calling them rubber band drive since its all belts, but I find it does everything I need and more, just stay within the design limits. I replaced a 1964 Cub Cadet model 70, which while built like a tank, its getting hard to buy parts for. Most things are going NLA now which is driving up the cost of the exhisting parts. Very little other than common parts are left now. Atleast parts avaiblity is good on the GT275, much newer, more comfortable and she will look nice again soon. Just need to deal with the wallet pain on that hood. Just over $400 for that hood from an online source, thats for a brand new one. Cheers Mike
