I bought the basic HD pos Arians with the non hydro drive. $1k.
I might get 10 years out of it. At 6 years now and it's already a rattle trap.
I figure $100 a year is about the best I can hope for.
i did the same thing with a "troybuilt" when i bought this house 22 years ago. got 9 or 10 out of it. last 3-4 it was held together with all-thread and gorilla tape. it cost me 2k plus a couple hundred trying to keep it going. i got a simplicity after that and at 12 y/o it is still functional but pretty beat. it was 3k-ish. just bought a used 2002 Scotts branded JD with the briggs and it seems to be a better mower than either of them. its going to camp.
