I'm like the other guys on here. The stuff made today is pretty much good for 5 years (maybe) and then you scrap it and repeat the process. All the people I work with and probably 98% of the people buying equipment today are that way also and just buy new every 5 years or so. I don't see a problem with that and the people I work with look at a lawn mower as a tool to mow the yard with and don't give a crap about shaft drive, rear lifts and ground engaging equipment. They mow the grass with it and put it up until next week. That is why there isn't a market for garden tractors anymore and why they are not built.
I would go to your local dealers (Deere & Cub) and look at what they have. I don't know if what they have will be in your budget but I think they could steer you in the right direction. Good luck and let us know what you end up getting. I like the looks of the new XT1 but don't know much about them.
