So let me ask ... What is wrong with the lawn chief - is it something(s) that is simply going to be cost prohibitive to fix ? Compared to laying down $2,$3,$4k down on a new tractor with a blade (or snow blower attachment). After all - you already have the blade (or snow blower attachment). Thats not going to be cheap to replace with a new ride. You may also wish to factor in, with regards to buying used there is a 50/50% chance that your going to be repairing someone else's problem(s) on an already expensive purchase. Even if its the motor that's non-repairable - with a little hunting you could still easily replace the motor somewhere around $300-$700 ... Plus fix a few other things that might be broken or near worn out ? If yours is fixable at good price (compared to the $4k new option) then why not fix it? Some (a lot) of the box store units are not going to survive your routine (at least like your lawn chief did). Fix the lawn chief ? Whats wrong with it ? either way - good luck to you.

Let me get this straight. The FMZ-50 is a $5000.00 machine but it has so many bugs in it that MTD stopped making them but you'd be happy to buy one anyway?????? One of those bugs is that the deck stops turning whenever you cause the deck to tip up more than 7 degrees as you start to ascend a slope. They have to put a switch in there to disconnect power to the PTO clutch or you'll smoke a very expensive drive belt due to lack of tension on it. That's some engineering. MTD isn't known for building great machinery. Most people feel that they totally screwed the Cub Cadet name into the ground. If you want a decent ZTR, then your budget is a tad light. My suggestion is that you go look at a Deere EZ-track Z425. It will run circles around the CC when it comes to ground speed. You get a 54" deck and instead of that silly twin, totally enclosed hydro drive system that MTD uses, the Deere has Parker Hannifin wheel motors driven by a Kanzaki pump. And, you have two less tires to worry about along with all the moving parts it takes to have those rear tires there. I can assure you that in years to come, you'll be happy that you did not choose the CC FMZ50 because there's all kinds of linkage rods and rod ends that tie the rear steering to the hydro's and all those items will begin to wear, get sloppy and then cause erratic operation. When that happens, the cost of repairs is likely going to be a major factor. The Deere system is proven to work and it is simple. Simple is always better. You need to look at this for what it is.... a long-term investment. Since the day that MTD introduced this whole I-series concept, I've been totally unimpressed due to the complexity of it. But don't take my word. Instead, go to the CC dealer you've been talking to. Go to his parts counter and get the parts guy to price the following. Deck drive belt Hydro unit for either side Linkage rods between the rear wheels and the hydros and the steering wheel

You're right Justalurker. Not long ago I started a thread here about wanting to buy a Deere riding mower. I said then that I always wanted a Deere even though I have been happy with other brands in the past, including my present Craftsman, which still runs good and has given me no problems during the past five years. I commented that I have saved up around $3000 and can now afford a John Deere. Some posters to that thread thought I was trying to "impress" my neighbors which could not be further than the truth. I can get by with any mower really because my yard is flat and less than an acre. I have no garden and no snow here in Texas. I just cut grass. I have always wanted a Deere for personal pride and to say that once in my life I owned one. It would go a long way in making my grass cutting "chore" much more enjoyable than it is now just to be on top of a John Deere. At least that is what I thought. I went to two dealers right after Thanksgiving to start pricing a 300. I was not impressed with either one. One showroom was messy with crap everywhere (even with old parts). The yard in the back looked worse and like a "you-pull-it" car junk area. The salesman seemed okay and a good guy but I did not like the looks of the place. The second dealer was much better appearance wise but it was obvious this dealership was far more concerned with big equipment and serving ranchers and farmers than a guy looking for a lawn mower. Make a long story short, I finished the day rethinking my John Deere position. Then a great sale ("friends and family") took place at Sears. They had the Sears 42" Professional model with specs to match and beat the John Deere at what appeared to be an all time low plus extra percentage off for this special sale. On top of that, I could get 10% cash back by using my Discover card and buying it on-line. It was a steal! Half of what the Deere would have cost although I must admit, it only has half the warranty period too. Well, it was too good to pass up, especially after my less than satisfactory experience shopping at the Deere dealerships. That John Deere value is down, as the OP suggested a couple years ago, is as true now as it was then.

I didn't see a link. Is it this one? Looks beautiful. http://www.sunspeedfloors.com.cn/product/60026661428-221350494/Hallmark_12_3mm_acacia_light_handscraped_laminate_flooring.html It's interesting. I posted a similar question on the house buying and selling board, and the response to the idea of laminate was more positive there. While some realtors made the point that laminate doesn't add as much intrinsic value as wood, they did say the appearance counted for a lot when it comes to resale. Some other New Mexico residents said it holds up better to the evaporative cooling systems we use here, and others said it wasn't worth investing so much in floors here unless you were staying a long time since the market here is so bad.