Price Check Used 2100 and 2400 price, or a new B7500?

[bryk]

I am seriously scratching my head, wondering what to do.
For the past few months, I've been planning to purchase
a new B7500 (60"MMM, 302 FEL). I have 5 acres, 3 of which
need mowing (lots of trees). I'll do some FEL work periodically, but 95% of the hours will be spent mowing.

Local dealer quoted $14,492 (without tax) on a new B7500. Since we don't get heavy snow around here (Virginia) all
that often, I don't really "need" a new tractor until the spring.

I dropped by the local dealer today, to see if he might knock
off some $$$ from his earlier quote. No luck :-( He did say
he had two similar used tractors on his lot:
- B2100 (302 FEL, 60" MMM, 100 hours) for $11k. Dealer
says the guy who owned it didn't have time to cut the
grass anymore, and hired someone to do it.
- B2400 (351 FEL, brand new 60" MMM, 75 hours) for $11.5k.
Dealer says the guy who owned it before traded up for
a bigger tractor. He also said something about this tractor
being used with a backhoe (hmm...doesn't sound good).

Dealer said both tractors were 3-4 years old, but that seems
strange with the low hours.

I had my 15-month old with me, so I wasn't able to look
at the tractors in detail. Saving $3 - 3.5K is appealing,
definitely, if the tractor is in good shape. The B2400 looks
more appealing, as it is larger and would seem likely to
hold value down the road. (Oh, it has a Kubota top on it, not
sure I need that, though).

In searching the Discussion archives here, I believe the B2400
price is very good. Having a brand new MMM is also
appealing. (The tractor on his lot doesn't have a MMM, but the dealer knows I want one so the $11.7k quote includes a new MMM). I'll need to take a long look at it to see if indeed
it is in good shape. If it did have a backhoe on it, what
kinds of questions should I ask to make sure something
bad didn't happen? What should I look for?

I'm still debating whether to go with the new B7500 or go
with a used model and save some clams. I wanted to put
all the scratches on the tractor myself, but for $3k, I don't
mind have the unit pre-scratched ;-)

I guess I'll have to mull over this tonight in my sleep. Is the 2400 price so good that it is not likely to be on the lot long?

Anyone have any thoughts/advice/guidance on these used tractors?

Thanks for any assistance!

bill
----

 

[bigpete]

I haven't spent a lot of time looking at Kubotas because there is only one Kubota dealer withing 60 miles of me and four JD dealers within the same radius. However, I do know that the B7800 is coming into showrooms soon, if its not there already. This might mean that: a) you'll find the dealer more willing to deal on the 7500 after the 7800 arrives; or b) that there will be some high-quality, high-value trade-ins from Kubota owners who have been waiting for the 7800; or c) you'll fall in love with the 7800 and forget about price, etc and bite the bullet and get what you really want.

I know there's a lot of great deals to be had on well-maintained used equipment, but my preference has alway been to buy new, whether it is equipment or cars. I always know who to go to if I have a problem and I know I'm not inheriting somebody elses' problems with a machine. Also, the cost of borrowing money is so low right now that you can probably get into the new unit of your choice without much pain or interest expense.

Sorry I can't help you with the specifics of the models you are looking at. I will say that if you are sold on Kubota that you sound like a candidate for a BX based on what you said about your % of mowing time and your trees. Lot's of guys say it is the best mower of all of the small/mid-sized frame Kubotas.

Good luck.

 

[TIMCOM]

Bryk,
75 hours on a b2400 is almost new if you ask me. On a diesel thats just getting broken in. I have a b2400 that i bought with 300 hours that was in great shape and i dont regret not buying new at all with the money I saved. If you got it spend it but I dont.
The price seems very good and if it is as clean and well maintained as mine it will serve you well. The extra h.p. is also handy at times. I live in the snow belt so plowing and blowing are
almost daily chores. Sounds like something worth considering

Tim

 

[TresCrows]

You realize of course that the 7800 is not a 7500 with a bigger engine but instead is closer to a stripped down B2910 in size and weight and power. If someone were really interested in a 7500 they may not want a 7800. I wonder how the 7800 prices against the 2710 which has the deluxe features and real position control. I might prefer the B2710 Deluxe over the 7800. I guess it depends on features vs price vs engine size vs need but I certainly have come to enjoy position control. Heck, does the 7800 has the same three point control that the 7500 has (actually does not have) or is it something more controled like the Deluxe B series with the numbered lever? The 75 hours on the 2410 is nothing. If the unit has been kepty inside and is clean get it. If it has been out in the weather for 5 years that is not a plus. Sometimes low use is not a good thing. Machines like to be used regularly--they last longer when that is the case. If the machine is neglected looking then I go with Bigpete, get a new one with warranty unless they can show the machine is up to snuff mechanically and the price is reflective of the neglect. J

 

[bigpete]

J.: Yup. Even with my limited Kubota knowledge, I knew the 7800 was not an enhanced 7500. I do read and hear lot's of chatter about the model so my point was that many Kubota owners might trade up this spring, and understanding biggertractoritis, it's always possible that our inquirer could be lured to the bigger tractor. Of course I will defer to your extensive product line expertise on the comparison between a 2710 and a 7800, (or whatever) which I disclaimed in my reply. My opinion on buying new versus used is just that--an opinion.

Just trying to contirbute in a foreign land.

 

[TresCrows]

Bigpete, no expert here. I would like to see the new 7800 myself. Could it be time for a new machine? I just got the feeling from several previous posts, not so much yours, that some guys thought the 7800 was a 7500 size tractor with a bigger engine. I don't think that is the case. Knowing nothing much about the price I just wonder if I might prefer the 2710 over the 7800? Position control is not a giant deal with many folks but I sure have come to enjoy having it on the 2410. If the 2410 is the deluxe version of the 7500 then I guess the 2910 is the deluxe version of the 7800.
Snowed like crazy here yesterday, hope everyone had a great Christmas. J

 

[frank_f15]

BILL: welcome to the forum. i have a b2400 (1998) that i bought 2 years ago with 74 hrs on it. for me with was a great machine with a great price. i have 9 acreas that i use it on, cutig grass, moving lots of snow, moving dirt and working in the woods.not pushing the 2400 only wanted to give u my opinon. but if it was me i think i would go for the used 2400, even if it was used with a bh , how much could it have been used? just use your common sense.

 

[AZMike]

Bill, sounds like you have any number of possibilities. I have a B7500 with a 60 inch rear mower. I mow most of 5 acres with a lot of small trees in one part. The smaller tractor allows me to move in close and easily between the trees and keeps soil compaction to a minimum. A bigger tractor would make this more difficult. However when I get into moving dirt, bigger would be nicer. Since 90% of what I do is mow, I feel the B7500 was an excellent choice for me. I think you might want to consider how much you need power vs size/weight and what you will do with this tractor.

 

[bryk]

Thanks for the replies. I now have the B2400 (with bi-speed
turn, LA351 FEL with toothbar, 60" MMM, Woods RB72 rear blade, and canopy). Picture attached.

I'm digging through the archives looking at snow removal
techniques, adding lights, tips on shed design, etc. (the FAQs).
Looking forward to conversing with other B2400 owners (e.g.,
Frank, Tim), as well as everyone else.