I bought a used Exmark for $3k 5 years ago. The only issue I have had is self induced, hit a rock and shelled out a spindle. Mine is a 54" deck, my old house would take me close to 4 hours to mow with a 42" tractor style. With the zero turn I was just over an hour. Have since moved and don't have enough yard to justify the high dollar mower, but I will not get rid of it.
Only advice I can give, buy a zero turn, buy by the pound, the heaviest built one you can afford. Structural, welded decks obviously better than stamped sheet metal ones.
