Used prices-might as well buy new?

[Elkins45]

This is my first post, and my ignorance of tractors is exceeded only by my confusion about them. I have used exactly two tractors in my entire 46 year life, a 1953 Farmall Super C (crank start, no starter) and a 2002 Massey Ferguson 243 2WD with a shuttle transmission.

I live on 7 acres and recently purchased 65 more. My neighbor cuts the hay, so all I want is a compact tractor that can run a 4 or 5 foot cutter and turn a 70" cultivator. It didn't make sense to me to buy new for what little use I would give a tractor...until I started trying to find one on the used market! It seems that tractors (at least according to the people selling them) don't seem to depreciate at all here in northern KY. Everything I've found is either dripping oil and has 5000 hours on it or is priced almost the same as new.

As an example: a New Holland dealer has priced a t1520 hydro and 5 foot mower at $15000. A different dealer priced a Kubota L3400 gear and mower at $14400 or a L2800 gear and mower at $13000. The closest used equivalent I can find is a Kubota L2900 with 950 hours (and it looks like it has been swallowed by a T-rex) at $10K.

For the $3K difference between the used 2900 and the new 2800 I get a three year warranty and a new tractor with 0 hours. Am I dumb to think that the new tractor is actually a better deal in this case?

I welcome any comments or suggestions.

 

[cspot]

Right now with the economy, dealers and manufacturers are running some really good deals that make buying new very attractive. I found out the same thing you did about the used market and ended up buying new. You might want to look a little bigger tractor if you plan on owning it for a long time and owning the land for a long time. The neighbor might not always farm it and you might have to maintain more of it.

 

[2458n]

A good small tractor can often be found at an estate auction. People often wait their entire life to retire and buy a place in the country. Next thing you know the widow has a tractor. Get on Auction Zip and see what is available. Putting a simple ad in a country advertizer often brings good results. I agree with the idea of looking down the road and going with a bit bigger tractor.

 

[Interlaux]

I too was put off by high used "premium" tractor prices. Went for a high hour -1440 - "old" 2001 JD 4610 for $13,500. Some have told me - "its an auction tractor"- another suggested a "x rental". Its been a year and the hour meter is over 1700 now but its been flawless - I would think with a fairly large land addition you might want something with a little more oomff. Right now there is a 4610 on tractorhouse thats similar to mine listed for 19k:laughing: - I'm thinking if you have cash and can find a tractor that needs to be sold.... Good luck and hang in there

 

[buck12]

I found that dealers wanted a premium for used small tractors and lawn mowers. However I felt I got a good deal on my used lawnmower and tractor by buying from individuals. Also when I bought my tractor I bought everything - tractor, trailer, several implements - and good a deal from someone that was in a cash flow squeeze.

 

[flusher]

This is my first post, and my ignorance of tractors is exceeded only by my confusion about them. I have used exactly two tractors in my entire 46 year life, a 1953 Farmall Super C (crank start, no starter) and a 2002 Massey Ferguson 243 2WD with a shuttle transmission.

I live on 7 acres and recently purchased 65 more. My neighbor cuts the hay, so all I want is a compact tractor that can run a 4 or 5 foot cutter and turn a 70" cultivator. It didn't make sense to me to buy new for what little use I would give a tractor...until I started trying to find one on the used market! It seems that tractors (at least according to the people selling them) don't seem to depreciate at all here in northern KY. Everything I've found is either dripping oil and has 5000 hours on it or is priced almost the same as new.

As an example: a New Holland dealer has priced a t1520 hydro and 5 foot mower at $15000. A different dealer priced a Kubota L3400 gear and mower at $14400 or a L2800 gear and mower at $13000. The closest used equivalent I can find is a Kubota L2900 with 950 hours (and it looks like it has been swallowed by a T-rex) at $10K.

For the $3K difference between the used 2900 and the new 2800 I get a three year warranty and a new tractor with 0 hours. Am I dumb to think that the new tractor is actually a better deal in this case?

I welcome any comments or suggestions.

So, what is your budget?
Do you want (or need) an FEL?
If you're thinking used, how handy are with wrenches?
And what types of cutter and cultivator are we talking about here?

 

[mjncad]

I went new because used commanded a premium price with little cost savings over new. Plus, we don't have anywhere near the selection of used stuff you guys back east and in the mid-west have.

Also, with new, I get to be the first one to frak it up.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I bought used gray market the first time because I could get lots more HP for the least money. I am now about 3 years into ownership and am looking at a new MF 1648. 0% interest is nice or a free FEL with 5.99% interest is attractive. So far I havent had any repairs other than flat tires with the greymarket but the comfort level is minimal, Now I want a cab with AC.

 

[GaryCrowell]

Four years ago when I bought my tractor I came to the same conclusion as you---new was a better value. Any used tractor that was desirable was priced almost as much as new, without the benefit of a warranty. I didn't see a price advantage until you started looking at 7-8 year old tractors with 1000+ hours on them, and I wasn't interested in those.

 

[Gary Fowler]

The financing is the key. Used tractors with 200-500 hours are usually withing a thousand or two of new. Warranty is gone or going and you have to pay premium % rate for a financing option. New wont guarantee that you wont have problems, but at least the fix is free. Newbys might want to be advised that many dealers if not all will charge you for pickup and delivery of your tractor to their shop even under warranty issues. This isnt cheap if you have to have that done a few times for a malingering problem that the dealer cant fix. Just another one of those things a tractor owner has to face. Frank discussion with the dealer on this in advance of buying will maybe solve the problem.