I wouldn't junk out the old ones unless they had what I consider a fatal problem. Massive oil consumption, bad transmission or some other expensive repair imminent. The Cub Cadet sounds like it was an good model and maybe needs a new spark plug, air filter, and maintenance more often to keep it in top shape. The Troy-Bilt is probably decent as are the John Deere models at Lowe's. Home Depot has Cub Cadet with what looks like imported engines from China and they still have some Toros. The Cubs have good features but who knows about their longevity. Stay away from Sears Craftsman walk behinds like they were a plague. A spark plug and air filter with good fresh gas is a cheap test to see if your Cub Cadet can make it. Good luck.

Thanks. New filter helped it a bit last week. It just has troubles re-starting when its warmed up.
Im pretty sure though Ive had it with the cheap rider. That base B&S engine in there is for the birds. LOUD and nothing but trouble. Got a new air and fuel filter last night to see if I can improve upon it. Or at least make it run better to a buyer.
I like the aluminum deck of my CC but that Troy Bilt is what I am looking for feature wise. Though cheaper to fix and keep my CC.

My urgeto sell, at least the rider, was confirmed tonight. I bought a new plug, fuel and air filter, and the thing is just coughing and missing and popping and surging and backfiring all over the stinking place. Honestly I have never seen such garbage.
I realize it's Briggs bottom line motor but my goodness this thing has been nothing but trouble. The transmission, cutting system, etc have all been trouble free. It has been all engine related issues since midway through the first season. NEVER again for me. It could very well be a "minor" carb adjustment or timing (?) thing but I am through messing with this thing.