Buying a used SCAG tomorrow- is it a good deal

[Amish Mafia]

Going out tomorrow to purchase a used 2005 Scag Wildcat with 25hp Kawi. Has 1300 hours and the machine is in great condition. Previous owner had all records and traded it in at a Scag dealer. They have gone over the complete machine and only had to do minor things to get it ready for sale. I have seen lots of pictures but nothing in person yet. Will cost me $3700.00. Is it worth it, want to make sure I'm buying the right thing. Has a light kit installed as well. Tires look to be in great shape.

[dougcaskey]

Lawn care business tips

It's basically just like buying a used car, Most guys that buy new mowers will trade them after they get to 1000 - 1500 hours on them...I have bought used before and as the hours climb so do the repairs....There are good used mowers out there just be careful....

[Sprinkler Buddy]

I think you could find a better deal buying used from an independent seller. Sounds high for hours and year to me but it is priced by a dealer. Keep in mind, you buy as is, no warranty basically on used equipment even when bought at a local dealer.

[wandfsmall]

Originally Posted by Sprinkler Buddy

I think you could find a better deal buying used from an independent seller. Sounds high for hours and year to me but it is priced by a dealer. Keep in mind, you buy as is, no warranty basically on used equipment even when bought at a local dealer.

I am a dealer and for the most part I agree with Sprinkler Buddy. We are not physic and in most cases on commercial cutters we do not know how it was treated or serviced. But as for price I would say in my market you get it for about the same price from a dealer as an independent seller so that depends on the local dealers.

[djlandscaping06]

Originally Posted by Amish Mafia

Going out tomorrow to purchase a used 2005 Scag Wildcat with 25hp Kawi. Has 1300 hours and the machine is in great condition. Previous owner had all records and traded it in at a Scag dealer. They have gone over the complete machine and only had to do minor things to get it ready for sale. I have seen lots of pictures but nothing in person yet. Will cost me $3700.00. Is it worth it, want to make sure I'm buying the right thing. Has a light kit installed as well. Tires look to be in great shape.

Sounds good and have always heard good things about scags, although year before last I bought a used tiger cub that cost me $2000.00. Sorry to say had nothing but trouble from it from the get go. Was in the shop more than in a yard mowing. Broke down on me constantly and is now at the house still broke down. Was told needs new motor! When it run it run like a scalded dog, just would not run long before something would break down on it. Probably just bought a lemon. I think on a whole scag is probably a good product. Hope you the best!

Donnie/DJ Landscaping

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by djlandscaping06

Sounds good and have always heard good things about scags, although year before last I bought a used tiger cub that cost me $2000.00. Sorry to say had nothing but trouble from it from the get go. Was in the shop more than in a yard mowing. Broke down on me constantly and is now at the house still broke down. Was told needs new motor! When it run it run like a scalded dog, just would not run long before something would break down on it. Probably just bought a lemon. I think on a whole scag is probably a good product. Hope you the best!

Donnie/DJ Landscaping

whenever I buy a mower I account for a new motor in the price. I have yet had to replace one. So If a mower is $2000 and I know I can get a mower for $1500. I say to myself is $3500 worth it for this mower?

You could rebuild your scag for cheaper then this newer mower. A zero hour motor does sound good. Its worth it unless the hydros and drive motors are gone too.

[Amish Mafia]

Well I showed up at the location to purchase the Wildcat, and I'm glad that I called the day before. There was another guy there wanting to look at it, but they took me by name as I had made an appt when they opened up. It was a nice balmy 21 degrees this morning and looking over the mower it was in exceptional shape for the hours. I was able to go over the machine, look for leaks, check the spindles, belts, lines, fluids. Took it out for a 15 minute warm up run around their property as well. The only issue I found was the seat bottom was worn out. Not to the degree of the exterior as that was in great shape just all the "padding" was gone. Not sure how to fix that, any suggestions? Maybe foam padding under the seat cushion? Anyways I asked the dealer for full service records and to my surprise they had every service on record, and the guy that owned it before traded it on a new Cheetah. It had a full service done 2 weeks ago when he purchased the other mower and the only major component that was replaced was the seat bottom adjustment. It came with a full light kit, striper, flat free front casters and rops. I got a folder full of records of yearly service, oil changes, the couple installs on the above as well as the last "sale" service they just did. They filled the tanks and added some stabilizer and loaded it in my trailer.

[Steve]

whenever I buy a mower I account for a new motor in the price. I have yet had to replace one. So If a mower is $2000 and I know I can get a mower for $1500. I say to myself is $3500 worth it for this mower?

Was there a typo in this? Maybe a mower was meant to be motor? I am trying to understand this.

Not to the degree of the exterior as that was in great shape just all the "padding" was gone. Not sure how to fix that, any suggestions?

You could get a new seat and possibly upgrade it to one with better suspension if you wanted. Possibly an air ride



Or you could just tape it.



Keep us posted on how it works out for you.

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by Steve

Was there a typo in this? Maybe a mower was meant to be motor? I am trying to understand this.

yep I screwed that up but the math is right.

[Steve]

Can you walk me through that again so I can get right what you were saying?

Is this right?

So If a mower is $2000 and I know I can get a motor for $1500. I say to myself is $3500 worth it for this mower?

When you do this, does it make sense to buy used or does it push you to buy new?