If I were in your shoes, I would be looking at used mowers of a higher caliber. Something along the line of a John Deere 425, like I have. Last year mine was in for a simple repair and I had to borrow a cheapie to mow for a week. It was excruciating and I couldn't believe what a difference there is in performance. With all the rage in zero turn mowers, a guy can get a very good lawn tractor for his money and be light years ahead of the box store mowers.
This, alot of good JD 318's out there in the same price range. Motor makes the biggest impact. Kaw, Kohler and Onan
