Are you dead set on new? The residential Snapper's from 10-20 yrs. ago can be found for cheap. I bought one from a guy for $120 just last month. It was built in 1998 and the 6hp B&S still starts on the first pull and the deck and hardware is rugged enough for yours and the neighbors yards. Does a really nice job mulching the fescue and bermuda found here. It has the same differential as their new commercial line and is the best handling self propelled mower made imo. I like the new Honda engines too and it may be better suited to the grasses found in FL but can't see spending that kind of money on one. Even an $800 mower can break so you might want to pick up a used mower just in case.

I have a Hi-Vac with a Kawasaki engine for 7 or 8 years, and an HRX217VKA new this season.

In my limited experience the Honda starts much easier and gives a much better cut when mulching. I've never even put the bag on the Honda.

If I had to pick only one it would be the Honda, no contest. More power, better cut, better mulching, easier starting, and I can cut the same grass in half the time.

But I'm keeping them both.

No, new isn't a necessity, but used Snappers are few and far between - at least for what I've seen. I'd love to have one. I currently have a 4 year old commercial Honda mower that in my opinion doesn't cut well. I feel it leaves far too many single uncut blades of grass behind. You actually see more the day after mowing. It looks as if they are being blown over instead of drawn up into the blades. I've tried different wheel heights, a gator type blade by Oregon with a spacer provided by Honda, and even using only the lower vac blade without the upper blade - all with the same results. I'm stumped, and constantly reminded of the poor cut quality along with how much I paid for it. My 16 year old Honda that my inlaws are using leaves a perfect cut behind, so I'm looking to sell or trade in this one. Honda denies any problems.