Considering buying this X300 - Opinions?

[wavinwayne]

I'm considering buying this John Deere X300 for sale near me. I asked the seller and he said the hours counter is 547.3, not 5,473. Based only on what you can tell from the pictures, does this machine look like it's worth $1100? I can handle any repairs/maintenance it needs short of an engine rebuild. If it looks like a decent deal, I will probably go look at it on Monday.

 

[GMBoy]

Looks good - I think they run almost 4,000 new so looks like a good deal.

 

[walterjay]

That machine would sell for more than that in my area.

 

[Tdbo]

I have the same exact machine.
It certainly merits consideration.
The hood and the seat cushions are the two weak links body wise. Both appear solid.
If it presents as mechanically solid after inspection, go for it. That is a more than reasonable price.

 

[skyactiv]

I'm guessing he priced it at $1100 expecting to sell at $1000. It's not worth trying to insult him with less and doing the meet in the middle routine.

 

[fantastic]

Not a terrible deal for sure. The only hesitation is if it has the K46 transaxle. I have one in my Craftsman. I have little to no complaints about it but I've scoured the internet over the years & see that it's great for around that many hours but not much more can be expected. It does look like it was garaged? Rebuilding an engine isn't the hard part for me it's the transaxle repairs I don't want to get into. Are there any older 425's or 445's for another $1000-$2000 more? I'm all for squeezing life out of a well used machine & buying a good candidate to begin with is the idea. Of course you do what you think is best for your dollar.

 

[Rand]

That is a decent deal. Its not a tank like a 318 or 400 series but for a lawn mower its light years ahead of box store tractors.

 

[wavinwayne]

Not a terrible deal for sure. The only hesitation is if it has the K46 transaxle.

The X300 has that one. If it failed, are we talking slowly degrading performance type failure or will it just crap the bed one day?

 

[Brian123]

Based only on what you can tell from the pictures, does this machine look like it's worth $1100?

NO, it is worth maybe $500.00 maybe less, never hose off a John Deere Riding Mower or any Riding Mower!

I asked the seller and he said the hours counter is 547.3,

Is he the original owner? If he is does he have a receipt from where he bought it from. How old is this John Deere X300, looks like from what I am seeing from the pictures it looks like a small yard. 547 hours is a lot of hours, and this is a base John Deere riding mower that you can buy from a dealer. If this is guy is not the original owner, I would be asking some questions about who owned the mower before, and if you do not like the sellers' answers then just walk away.

 

[Tdbo]

The X300 has that one. If it failed, are we talking slowly degrading performance type failure or will it just crap the bed one day?

When you go view it, take a look at the owners residence.
Ask him about the terrain that the tractor has serviced.
If the property is relatively flat with minimum hills, it will probably be fine.
If there are severe hills, take a pass.
Ask him if he has pulled anything with it. If he has, see if you can get a handle on what.
If he admits to pulling heavy things with it, take a pass.
The K46 is decent, as long as it is used within its means.
The X300 is a Lawn tractor, NOT a garden tractor.

 

[jeepman3071]

Those sell for more in my area. The Kawasaki engine is bullet proof, and the X series machines are quite a step up above the 100 series. I wouldn't worry about the K46 transmission. I very rarely see them fail, and usually it is from the owner towing quite a bit more than they should be. I'm not sure when the K46 transmission started being used in Deere lawn tractors, but a customer of mine has an LT150 Deere with a K46 and tows a yard cart and mows a hilly yard. That machine is over 20 years old and still runs great, to my knowledge the fluid has never been changed. If it runs, drives, and mows good I'd say it is worth it. Looks like it has a mulching deck too which is nice.

 

[fantastic]

The X300 has that one. If it failed, are we talking slowly degrading performance type failure or will it just crap the bed one day?

I had a 1998 LT155 within the last 6 years. Bought it used and one day the transmission just wouldn't do anything. It was like a TT K51? Didn't have an hour meter but it had plenty of use. The 08' Craftsman is at 190 hours and the transaxle is kind of loud. It has lost speed from when I first bought it with 60 hours on it. Not terrible by any means but this one seems to be aging gradually. I do push through thick grass so it probably won't last 500 hours. I expect maybe 250-350 maybe ? I don't tow anything & only have one big hill I use it on. It will be interesting how it quits b/c I have no interest in selling it & bought it on 08-06-2014. I'd take a guess & say they fail under both symptoms? If one is just a gradual aging then great but as the K51 went was one day it was working & not the next.

 

[wavinwayne]

Thanks for all the info. If the guy's yard is relatively flat, he's the original owner, and it hasnt been used to haul boulders, I'll feel comfortable pulling the trigger on it. My old 2007 LA110 also has the K46, has been abused over the years and just refuses to quit. My FIL uses it to haul stuff around his property and the transaxle never complains.

 

[fantastic]

Thanks for all the info. If the guy's yard is relatively flat, he's the original owner, and it hasnt been used to haul boulders, I'll feel comfortable pulling the trigger on it. My old 2007 LA110 also has the K46, has been abused over the years and just refuses to quit. My FIL uses it to haul stuff around his property and the transaxle never complains.

Based on the updated information you've provided it's certainly added real value to the buy being a one owner & that you can speak to him before the exchange. Update the thread every couple years.

 

[wavinwayne]

Based on the updated information you've provided it's certainly added real value to the buy being a one owner & that you can speak to him before the exchange. Update the thread every couple years.

I may have been unclear. I was trying to say "if he is the original owner". I will create a new thread to document its journey if I buy it.

 

[fantastic]

I may have been unclear. I was trying to say "if he is the original owner". I will create a new thread to document its journey if I buy it.

You're right, I re-read what you stated after I posted it earlier. Woops!

 

[wavinwayne]

Passed on the mower. Seller was much farther away than the Marketplace ad indicated. Oh well, no biggie. My lawn guy does a great job.

 

[fantastic]

Passed on the mower. Seller was much farther away than the Marketplace ad indicated. Oh well, no biggie. My lawn guy does a great job.

End of that idea.
So, not really interested in purchasing another used mower?

 

[wavinwayne]

End of that idea.
So, not really interested in purchasing another used mower?

It all boiled down to logistics on this particular unit. I will likely/maybe/possibly buy something this year or next when the right deal comes along. I'm sure the off-season will see some good deals hit Marketplace.

I need to join wishy-washers anonymous.

 

[fantastic]

It all boiled down to logistics on this particular unit. I will likely/maybe/possibly buy something this year or next when the right deal comes along. I'm sure the off-season will see some good deals hit Marketplace.

I need to join wishy-washers anonymous.

Understandable and you have the right idea to buy in off season. Like my plan to purchase firewood soon when it's been warm.

I will say that I usually see a deal or two pop up in off season with a good deal on box store riders with low hours. I've had to rebuild my 42" Craftsman mower deck once already but like I mentioned earlier it's still mowing and a hydrostatic transmission is still moving.

Interesting side story was that it was sold to me as a 2012 year & $1200 bucks but after buying it realized it was actually a 2008. The guy sent me $400 back making it an $800 buy.