There was a recent thread on this site where a Boradmoor was purchased for $3600 (see link below). That's a little more than I paid last year (for a 2044 after rebate). I don't know if she bought last years model or if she just drove a hard bargain. When I compared last year, the snapper did not have the rear rollers on the deck. This was important to me.

Here is a link that might be useful: Recent Broadmoor link

We're going to look at these again tomorrow. But I believe the Snapper 2044 is a 20 HP, 44" deck at $2450. The 2 Broadmoors we looked at were $3699, might be the 44"cut, and the 50" cut was $3999.

I just wonder if it's worth the extra money. What are the important differences?

>the snapper did not have the rear rollers on the deck. This was important to me.

Why was this important to you?

I'm not familiar with all the snapper models, but the snapper you are looking at may be comparable to the simplicity Regent. The aft rollers on the deck, allow the deck to traverse the turf somewhat independently of the mower. I have a fairly rough fescue lawn and as the tractor pitches and rolls over the clumpy fescue, the rollers keep the deck level, providing an incredibly scalp free cut. The deck is suspended at the front of the mower and then it rests on the aft rollers. Since the rollers span the lenght of the deck, they keep the deck level. Anti-scalp wheels do not work near as well, at least in my case. The rollers also allow the yard to be striped (the patterns you see on baseball fields), this is something that comes with the rollers on the deck, but if you do this, it takes more time to mow, although it is something different to do. I would look closely at the decks on both mowers. You may not have the need for the rollers. I would also check to make sure you are comparing similar models. At that kind of price difference, if they are the same with a slightly different deck, the Snapper would be a no brainer as long as it gave you the cut you wanted.

The Snapper LT300 is the model comparable to the Broadmoor , not the 200 series . Briggs Intek vs. Vanguard , 12 gauge frame vs. 10 gauge , K46 trans vs. K57 trans with traction control are just a few of the differences on the spec sheets as well as the bigger physical size of the Broadmoor and LT300 when compared to the Regent and Snapper 200 series .

The Broadmoor will do everything you want and need. Buy it and don't look back.