When it is time to purchase one, try to buy one that has had all of the upgrades done properly. When I bought mine, it barely started, had an oil pressure issue, and had all sorts of shady previous repairs done. It has cost thousands to get it right. In the Cub Cadet hobby, they are in a financial league of their own. That's why it is common to see them with asking prices north of $3k.

They were spendy out of the chute too. IIRC they were ~8500$ back in the 80's when new.



That's a whole lot of money even now.

I'll have to settle w/ the 1512 :D