[gcbailey]

I've got an '09 GT2544, a true cub GT (shaft driven, cast iron rear, kohler command). While it's true they are not an IH Cub, I would put them up against anything currently offered as far as production GTs goes. JD doesn't even make a shaft driven GT under $8K. I have the electric sleeve hitch for mine and snow blade and I clear 9 driveways in the winter and plow 2 gardens in the summer. For the price I believe they are the best value out there.

Even as far as the big box LTs goes, I would put the quality of the CC up against any other LT out there, and that's just not because of the name. You just really need to remember to compare apples to apples and LT to LT and GT to GT. I have a '07 LT 1045 from HD and it's been an excellent LT and serves its purposes excellently. CC LTs also use a heavier frame than other LTs, as do the GTs.

CC has just "re-furbed" their GTs for 2011. There is no more GT25XX series or 3000 series. It's back to a 2000 series. They are offering power steering, and electric lifts (deck) on some model GTs. You can still get the hydraulic tiller, snow blade, and other attachments that work with the 25XX series. The JD x500 series is what you could compare against and their starting price vs. a GT25XX series is over $1500 more and that's without a true shaft driven engine or cast iron rear.

Some of the GT 25XX series had issues with the hoods where the plastic bolt mounts would break off, mine did at .07 hours.... the dealer was quick about fixing it (new hood, w/re-enforced mounts). The did change the design and added bracing for 2010. So if you are looking at that, then you may be able to get a '10 leftover from a dealer. You can tell if you raise the hood and see a metal support bracket running up the center. The plastic hood is the only negative I would count against the 25XX series. Does it affect the performance, no. It's just a cosmetic thing, but truthfully what new GT do you get a metal hood with?

I've got 156 hours on my GT2544 and I have had no issues. I would buy another one if I was looking at a new GT. If you wanted hydraulics then you need to look at the 3000 series. They have a shaft driven deck and you can get front, mid, rear hydro ports for things such as tiller, blade, power angle.... You can also get a locking rear differental. The 3000 is rather pricey and for a couple thousand more you'd be looking at a SCUT. But they are an excellent GT.