Ok you guys got me thinking and more concerned with what happened so here is the email I sent to the dealer. As you know you recently delivered a 2007 Z425 and were going to charge me MSRP of a 2008 machine. I sent it back due to this and the fact that the tow rating was much lower than our discussions. I have discussed this with some people and the more I think about it I find it strange that you would not know what you are selling and delivering to a customer as stated. You must have inventory lists with the particulars on them. I have shopped for a few years now and other dealers/manufactures usually had "left over" model year mowers at a discount. You offered me 10% off only after I informed you that you sent me a year old machine without the newer specs. This leads me to think there was an attempt to take advantage of me. I have had good experiences with purchasing my LT 155 and Stihl backpack blower. I also referred my father-in-law, who also purchased an LT155 shortly after asking me about mine and trying mine. Due to this most recent experience IÂm not feeling that warm & fuzzy anymore. I am considering canceling my order for the X324 and going to a different dealer pending your response to this email. I know IÂm not buying $20,000 dollar machines and that my business is not going to make or break you but you should care about your reputation as local business. I really prefer to support local businesses, not big box stores but this situation really sours me. I also have concerns about the pricing. Hopefully your explanation to this situation and a discount off MSRP on top of waving the $95 prep fee could prevent me from purchasing elsewhere. I have been reading several online John Deere forums and many customers post that their dealers gave discounts off MSRP. Your dealership seems to be very insistent that you canÂt discount MSRP. Hopefully in this case you give can give me reasonable explanation and will reconsider a discount of MSRP and we can continue a relationship for years to come. I really prefer to continue to work with your dealership now and in the future and not go to another dealer. Please pass my concerns on and respond asap. Thanks,

Thanks for all the insights, guys. Much appreciated. I'm considering a ZTR because driving in and through my spruce trees on one, with all the low-hanging branches, doesn't sound like much fun. Plus (and please correct me if I'm wrong), my options for uses beyond mowing are extremely limited . I had a chance to stop by my local JD dealer today. He had an X534 they were prepping for sale outside, and I was able to drive it (around a very small parking lot). I've got to say it was a bit weird at first, turning the wheel & feeling the rear end rotate out from behind you. I've only heard of the AWS uneven cut complaints from a couple of people - everyone else I've heard from that actually owns an X534 really loves it. I wish I could've done a direct comparison with the X534 by driving an X500 or X540, but they didn't have any outside the showroom (the midwest this ain't). I wish my dealer had a used tractor inventory, as I'd have no problem buying used from him, but they don't sell used equipment or take trade-ins, so, based on my budget, I'll only buy new from him if it's the X500. I'd LOVE if they'd consider brining two machines out to my property to test ride on my own conditions, and I'm sure they would if they had an inventory of slightly used recent models, but they only carry new machines. It might also be different if I were going to buy from him no matter what model it is that I decide on - but I can't honestly say that. Although I asked, the dealer apparently can't explain the seemingly contradictory spec that shows the X534 having a larger turning radius than the other X500 series tractors (albeit leaving a smaller circle of uncut grass). I did get the sense that the AWS, with a 48" deck would come in plenty handy with all the things I mow around in my yard, though - so at this point it probably comes down to cost (x500) vs. manueverability (X534) vs. longevity (liquid cooled) and flexibility (X540, or X335). I still wish there were a better option than the PowerFlow bagger, but I do have to say that the newer Power Flow units I saw had a very simple bar guard mounted on the deck - really just an "L-shaped" piece of rod - but the rod takes the bulk of punishment from trees instead of the bagger housing. Pretty primitive, but probably effective. The PowerFlow manual for my Scotts doesn't make any mention of a guard. Should've thought of that one myself. I'll likely talk to a couple of the used tractor dealers over the next couple of days, and then make a decision.

There are several threads on this issue, a search for LA120 or LA130 will bring up a wealth of information. As to the LA130/LA140 not being recommended, maybe JD knows something about their tractors. There have been a few instances of reported problems with the belts and deck drives on the large decks for the LA series tractors. See " My new LA130 won't run". Also Consumer Reports notes that although the LA110 with a 42" deck is a very good mower, the larger decks do not cut nearly as well. They recommend the JD with a 42" deck, but the Husqvarna/Craftsman clones with a 46" or 54" deck. At a given price point, you can't beat a Craftsman/Husq. Where the JD excels is in frequency of repairs, and resale value. A $2000 Craftsman will be better equipt than a $2000 JD., but in 5 years the JD will be worth nearly twice as much as a Craftsman, in ten years it will be worth 4 times as much as the Craftsman and will have spent much less time in the shop. At least that's my take on it. steve

ervie, RE: Benefits of the liquid cooled vs. air cooled engines What I have learned with the liquid cooled engine is it maintains a more consistent running temp vs. the air cooled engine. Benefits are running in summer and winters. When you run a liquid cooled engine it stays with in a givne temp range for longer period of time vs. the air cooled engine. The benefit in the winter is... when you shut down for break or what ever the case may be, then start up again, engine temp is still up and you wont do the same damange to the internal engine parts that occurs with cold starts. With air cooled engine, over time with winter use, air cooled engines can get engine cracks or gasket failures with the snow/slush coming into contact with the hot engine. Just what I have learned. If I get the x520, time will tell if the extra $ was worth it.