Purchase of 2014 with some rust issues

[randee]

Not sure how much rust you are seeing, but if there is any chance it was sitting out in salt air near the ocean or some similar exposure that might corrode some of the electronics, it might not be worth it even if cheaper.

Good point, I don't really care about the cosmetics. Just want to make sure condition does not effect it's performance.

Seems like I have had equal responses. Half saying, it'll be rusty anyway in months. The other half saying, it will seriously effect the performance of the tractor and steer clear from it no matter what the cost.

So, I guess I am going to have to use this tractor for several years. I better get off on the right foot.

Thanks for the input!

 

[randee]

Hard to tell how bad it is without pics. But it probably wouldn't bother me much. That said, the exhaust on my 2011 L3800 has no rust on it yet...

Hmm... no rust on your 2011 muffler. What's your secret, or are they just made with different materials?

 

[randee]

The rust would bother me, because for the money being paid, I would want to start out with a rust-free tractor. It will get rust over time, but I would be willing to bet that MY tractor wouldn't have that much (making assumptions based on your description). I keep my tractor stored inside, and my 25 year old B7100 doesn't have as bunch of rust on it (as I am imagining, and what I have seen on some tractors that have set on the lot for a year or two).
I have seen tractors as you are describing- they had sat out in the elements for a good bit of time. THAT would bother me more than the rust itself, and your dealer really can't tell you how long it has been out since he doesn't know himself. A tractor with rust, possible moisture in the fuel, oil, electronics, drivetrain- who knows what you may run in to in the future with a tractor that has been exposed to the elements like that. It may never pose an issue- you need to decide if you can be happy with it- but I, myself, would keep looking before I would pay full price for a less than 100% tractor.
Everyone looks at it differently, which has been reflected in this thread. This is my opinion, and I'm not trying to say that someone who feels differently is wrong. I'm simply stating my thought process if I were looking at the tractor. It would have to have an enticing discount to consider buying it.

Wow, what a nice opinion. I think that speaks to whats going on in my head.
I really appreciate your thoughts and it's nice that someone sees it the same way. Just didn't know if I was being too picky (which I am) or how others would feel about the condition.

Trying to contact other dealers in the area. Nobody ever responds to an email in this area. Why even post a darn email if you aren't going to check it or respond.

Can anyone recommend a dealer in the eastern IA, western IL, southern WI area?

 

[randee]

I sure do and he is actually twice as far away as my nearest dealer, I have one 18 miles from me, but go 40 to mine as they've been in business since the 50's and are family owned.

I wouldn't worry about year of manufacture, just condition as some "store" their crated machines on the back lot and some in a warehouse. Look for a high volume dealer where machines don't set too long. My dealer took over a second location a few years ago and is in the process of doubling the size of his display room and shop. For the past year he has had a steady stream of trucks filling in low spots and drop offs to make more room.

The other dealer may have the same tractor on the lot for two years due to low volume.

We own tractors made in the 50s, 60s and up, rust not on critical components is not a reliability issue on any of them though some look pretty rough. For years we could only afford used tractors and my brother still uses them regularly.

Good point on finding a high volume dealer.
I was thinking that Barlows would be considered a high volume dealer. Looks like they go through them pretty regularly. I imagine they wouldn't be sitting around too long, but you never know.

 

[TripleR]

Good point on finding a high volume dealer.
I was thinking that Barlows would be considered a high volume dealer. Looks like they go through them pretty regularly. I imagine they wouldn't be sitting around too long, but you never know.

I'm sure they sell a lot of tractors and I contacted them on a sale, but their price wasn't a whole lot better than local and as it turned out I had two warranty issues which really ngated any money I would of saved. I've had five Kubotas and still own four of them with warranty issues on only on, so it may or may not be an issue. My brother bought a new Kioti out of state at a savings, but has had to trailer it back to the dealer twice and Kioti makes really good equipment.

Buying a new tractor sure involves a lot and many of us have taken months to get the one we want in the right condition.

I lucked out on my last one as I went to my dealer for filters and such for our other tractors and a new L5740HSTC had just been assembled and put on the lot. A week and a half later all my accessories had been added and delivered. The one before that took almost six months and I changed my mind several times.

 

[Bluegill]

Hmm... no rust on your 2011 muffler. What's your secret, or are they just made with different materials?

The muffler is painted on mine. Figured they all were?

 

[CaveCreekRay]

My 2012 L3800 sat outside for 9 mos thanks to the previous owner and had only a very small amount of rust, usually associated with a "ding" here or there on a sharp edge like the front guard or the 3pt hitch. My muffler is painted and still looks new. It lives inside 24/7 now. After an hour of "clean-up" before its last visit to the dealer, the dealer remarked it was the "cleanest example of that model they had seen in a long while." I figure they see quite a few.

If you are only getting $500 off a new one, I'd go with the new one simply for the warranty. I just bought the 3-year extended for mine and it ran $1300. You get the warranty AND a pristine example. If it was $1500-2000 off, I'd jump at the used model.

I can tell you this: However he came into that tractor he didn't pay anything near what you say he is asking. I bet he stands to make $1500-2000 on it at the rpice he quoted you. May have got it from an estate sale. May have gotten it from a divorce. Either way, stuff like that sells for cheap. With rust, he'll have a hard time getting full price for it.

Tractors are not cheap. And they are not sports cars. Some of us have the time and patience to wash and wax them. Its more for us than for the tractor. Tractors need little care if operated thoughtfully.

I sense you will be one of "us."

Throw down a final offer and walk away. Your tractor will come in. Watch CraigsList. That is where I found mine. I have seen a couple great deals since then.

 

[randee]

I'm sure they sell a lot of tractors and I contacted them on a sale, but their price wasn't a whole lot better than local and as it turned out I had two warranty issues which really ngated any money I would of saved. I've had five Kubotas and still own four of them with warranty issues on only on, so it may or may not be an issue. My brother bought a new Kioti out of state at a savings, but has had to trailer it back to the dealer twice and Kioti makes really good equipment.

Buying a new tractor sure involves a lot and many of us have taken months to get the one we want in the right condition.

I lucked out on my last one as I went to my dealer for filters and such for our other tractors and a new L5740HSTC had just been assembled and put on the lot. A week and a half later all my accessories had been added and delivered. The one before that took almost six months and I changed my mind several times.

I understand that, it's taken me months, actually years when comparing tractors and deciding which make/model. What I didn't understand was the condition of a "new" tractor would vary so much.

I figured I could take the kubota to any dealer for service, even if I didn't buy from them. The manager at the dealership said, "ya, even if you bought from another dealer we still would do the warranty work, but if we had two tractors in the garage, you know who would get the work done first? the person who bought from us"

 

[randee]

My 2012 L3800 sat outside for 9 mos thanks to the previous owner and had only a very small amount of rust, usually associated with a "ding" here or there on a sharp edge like the front guard or the 3pt hitch. My muffler is painted and still looks new. It lives inside 24/7 now. After an hour of "clean-up" before its last visit to the dealer, the dealer remarked it was the "cleanest example of that model they had seen in a long while." I figure they see quite a few.

If you are only getting $500 off a new one, I'd go with the new one simply for the warranty. I just bought the 3-year extended for mine and it ran $1300. You get the warranty AND a pristine example. If it was $1500-2000 off, I'd jump at the used model.

I can tell you this: However he came into that tractor he didn't pay anything near what you say he is asking. I bet he stands to make $1500-2000 on it at the rpice he quoted you. May have got it from an estate sale. May have gotten it from a divorce. Either way, stuff like that sells for cheap. With rust, he'll have a hard time getting full price for it.

Tractors are not cheap. And they are not sports cars. Some of us have the time and patience to wash and wax them. Its more for us than for the tractor. Tractors need little care if operated thoughtfully.

I sense you will be one of "us."

Throw down a final offer and walk away. Your tractor will come in. Watch CraigsList. That is where I found mine. I have seen a couple great deals since then.

Actually it's a new tractor. Never left the dealer lot I am told. It just sat there for a year and rusted.. Also, I think people maybe test ran it and so on.

Ya, I have given up on that tractor now. I will do whatever it takes to get one in decent shape.

Thanks for your input!

 

[TripleR]

I understand that, it's taken me months, actually years when comparing tractors and deciding which make/model. What I didn't understand was the condition of a "new" tractor would vary so much.

I figured I could take the kubota to any dealer for service, even if I didn't buy from them. The manager at the dealership said, "ya, even if you bought from another dealer we still would do the warranty work, but if we had two tractors in the garage, you know who would get the work done first? the person who bought from us"

Yeah any good dealer will service it and the importance of a good dealer often can be a deal maker or breaker. I imagine the guy who bought the tractor there will have priority at least until he is viewed as a regular customer. I've gotten free pick up and delivery on warranty, discount or free upgrades etc. I wouldn't have gotten if I hadn't bought locally. It may be important to some and not another. My brother is a mechanic who regularly hauls equipment and does most of his own work, so it's not a big deal to him.

As to routine service, we do all our on on all our tractors including the bigger ones, very easy, so warranty work may never be an issues for you.

I doubt we'll ever get agreement on "acceptable" and really as has been pointed out by others, yours is the only interpretation that counts.

 

[RCW]

I'm with TripleR on this one.

I bought a new BX2360 2 years ago today, from a friend that's a salesman for a dealership.

The 2360 was a leftover - the new model was 2370, and I bought it sight unseen with a decent discount. I wanted the shorter, narrow ROPS on the '60, and not the tall, wide one of the '70 and BX25's.

I really had no concern about rust.

I was more concerned about internal moisture since it might have sat on a lot for a year or more - thus did an all-out service at 50 hours, instead of 200 that the manual now calls for (was 50 before).

Honestly, with use, that rust will be inconsequential.

My $0.02.

 

[D2Cat]

This statement, "and I bought it sight unseen with a decent discount" is the part randee is not receiving. He gets no discount, therefore the rust becomes consequential.

I understand exactly where he is coming from. I don't need/want to pay a premium price for a less then premium item, no matter what it is.

 

[RCW]

This statement, "and I bought it sight unseen with a decent discount" is the part randee is not receiving. He gets no discount, therefore the rust becomes consequential.

I understand exactly where he is coming from. I don't need/want to pay a premium price for a less then premium item, no matter what it is.

Point taken.

You see, my wife has told me ALL OF our 33 years together I'm not very smart, so I'm consistent...!..!..!..!.

I still think the rust is inconsequential to the tractor's operation, but I do see it now from your point of view.

 

[CaveCreekRay]

I am wondering about that tractor... I think I now why he is so hard on the price.

Dealers usually get really attractive financing from the manufacturer to put units on their lot. With cars and motorcycles, the dealer only has about 9 mos to finance a unit and then the financing "balloons" to a higher note payment. The aim there is to get the unit sold in the same model year. With tractors, model year is less important. But financing is still a way to lose money and fast.

I bet this 2014 was actually delivered the end of 2013. It ran out the financing clock and then the dealer decided to buy it out. He has a bunch of money in it and wants to get that money back. He figures someone will come by and take it off his hands, despite a little rust and weathering. He may have to wait awhile.

I got a heck of a deal on a GoldWing in '03 because the dealer was looking at huge balloon notes and wrote me a killer deal on the bike I was looking for. A couple hours of driving saved me $1500. That said, I don't know how dealers can stay in business today...

 

[TripleR]

Think about it from the dealer's viewpoint, he will probably be able to sell it to someone less concerned about cosmetics at the asking price and he has offered to sell a "new" tractor when they come in. No one is going to stay in business selling recently delivered tractors for the price he paid for the last shipment.

We all have a price point at which we are willing to walk away and the dealer has one at which he will let you.

 

[randee]

This statement, "and I bought it sight unseen with a decent discount" is the part randee is not receiving. He gets no discount, therefore the rust becomes consequential.

I understand exactly where he is coming from. I don't need/want to pay a premium price for a less then premium item, no matter what it is.

Exactly right, I was able to get the same tractor for $5 less (including $500 shipping) for a recently purchased assembled '15 from Barlow's. So something doesn't add up. If I would have picked it up in KY it would be $500 cheaper than the rusted up invoiced '14 model.

I wonder if it was more than a year old. The amount of rust seemed like more than a year, but who knows.

If he would have lowered his price $500 (same as Barlow's new model) I would have stayed local.

It all works out, I would have preferred to stay local. I think this was a weird deal. It was a transfer from another of their locations. Probably the one they keep transferring around, trying to sell.

 

[randee]

I am wondering about that tractor... I think I now why he is so hard on the price.

Dealers usually get really attractive financing from the manufacturer to put units on their lot. With cars and motorcycles, the dealer only has about 9 mos to finance a unit and then the financing "balloons" to a higher note payment. The aim there is to get the unit sold in the same model year. With tractors, model year is less important. But financing is still a way to lose money and fast.

I bet this 2014 was actually delivered the end of 2013. It ran out the financing clock and then the dealer decided to buy it out. He has a bunch of money in it and wants to get that money back. He figures someone will come by and take it off his hands, despite a little rust and weathering. He may have to wait awhile.

I got a heck of a deal on a GoldWing in '03 because the dealer was looking at huge balloon notes and wrote me a killer deal on the bike I was looking for. A couple hours of driving saved me $1500. That said, I don't know how dealers can stay in business today...

I'll bet you are right, seemed unwilling to come down, when he was already $500 more than other dealers.

Thanks for the input.

 

[jimjoe]

i almost bought a b2620 that is a leftover,it had some rust and faded paint. i mentioned it to the salesman he said ya that ones been out there for about a year. they are all lined up near the road and were buried in plowed snow this winter. they salt the roads so they were covered with dirty salty snow, not good. i told him i wanted a new b2601 still in the crate. got the first one they got in today.i didn't want to spend 25000 on something sitting like that.

 

[randee]

i almost bought a b2620 that is a leftover,it had some rust and faded paint. i mentioned it to the salesman he said ya that ones been out there for about a year. they are all lined up near the road and were buried in plowed snow this winter. they salt the roads so they were covered with dirty salty snow, not good. i told him i wanted a new b2601 still in the crate. got the first one they got in today.i didn't want to spend 25000 on something sitting like that.

Ya, I think this must have been in a similar situation. I would have been happy to wait for a new one, but I think they are waiting to sell this one before they get another one. That's why they could never give me an estimate when a newer one is coming it. I think he was upset I asked for $500 off so at the end he didn't even respond to me. I am happy I went with a different dealer for now. You spend $20,000 on a machine, got to try and keep it nice, at lease for a little while!

So now I got the "waitin' for Barlow's blues" until I get it delivered. Just emailed him asking if he had an ETA. Only placed the order last week and he said they were running 2 or 3 weeks out.

 

[Daren Todd]

Ever notice that you feel like a kid in the candy waiting for the new shipment of goodies and then you notice the clock starts moving backwards congrats on the new tractor