It's an OK consumer mower. Better than MTD and comparable with Sears.

You'll save about $100 or so buying from a big box, but ultimately a John Deere dealer will handle any warranty and service. The dealer shouldn't refuse to help you if you didn't buy from him, and Deere will smack him if they find him doing so; however, that doesn't mean you won't go to the end of the line during busy season.

In my opinion, bargain as hard as possible with the dealer, and then build up a regular relationship. Keep in mind you're only buying a $2K homeowner's machine, not a $10K CUT. You'll leave a few dollars on the table, but should be more satisfying long-run.

There is one other thing to remember when working with a John Deere Dealer. Unlike MTD, Sears, and other small tractor manufactures, the JD dealer may services everything from the JD push mowers to the huge JD tractors and combines that JD makes. So don't be upset if he can not get to you when the farmers are planting or harvesting and they have several pieces of farm equipment that is broke.

On the other hand they love our little tractors that they can put on the bench and work on them when things are slow like when the fields are covered by snow.

Buy a one or two year old entry level X3XX from the dealer. I picked up an '08 X300 (in '09) with 40 hors on it and paid $2300 from the dealer.

Just remember, you pay for what you get. If you opt to pay less, you will get less in quality. I went through this in 2006 when my wife & I bought our first home. granted, I have more to mow, and have some hills, but from what I understood, entry level John Deere lawn tractors are just that...entry level. You'll be getting an entry level product, with an entry level cut, and an entry level engine. It is not a tractor that will last a lifetime. I got the inside scoop because I live in Mayville, WI, which is the town right next to Horicon, WI, where the John Deere plant is. My neighbor has been working there for decades, and builds them. He basically told me that if I bought a higher series, in the X300's, that'd I'd be mowing with that tractor when I retire, which is nice because I was 26 at the time. I had a sales rep come and scope out my yard, to point me in the direction of the tractor that would suit my yard best. He recommended the X300, so I followed my "always go a step higher then designed" and got the X320. Sure, I payed more, but it was worth every penny, because I have a solid, high quality machine meant to last.

With that said, I agree with Wrager, you're better off with a used, high quality tractor, then a new, low quality one.

Joe

Stay away from the green ones entirely!!
I see just as many Deeres run through my shop as any other brand, but the parts and dealer only service will kill you. Green paint and fancy marketing don't make a good tractor.

Right you see a lot of them because , there is a lot of them , you get what you pay for. I always had Deere products and had great luck with them ,do they break,? yes do you have to go to a dealer for parts,?yes. I can say any other brand is the same...looked at other brands can not compare with John Deere.......
and purchasing a 1 series Deere compact utility soon.