I've got an eaglestar in the garage. Used it and an Exmark my first year. The eaglestar broke a drive sprocket and I never got around to fixing it, it just sits there now. It was a decent first mower I guess, cut was okay, price was really cheap, better than using a 21". I sucks compared to new hydros w/ floating decks though. But I'm sure the ZTR rider guys think these suck compared to their mowers. It just depends on where you are, and how much $$$ you have, and what size lawns you are doing.