Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hi All , I am about to buy a new Lawnmower.  I live in Canada and narrowed it down to 2 Sears Craftsmen models.  They are the same push type mowers with only one difference....the engines!  I have my choice of a 5.5HP Honda Engine for a price of $349  ($80 off this week!) or a 6.75HP Briggs and Stratton engine for a price of $299 ( this is the Sears value price so it is always on special)

Not that there is much difference and I am sure both are good machines, but I am wondering what you guys think is the better machine/deal/value?  Which engine is better?  The Briggs has more HP...is that key? 

Also, very important to me is which machine/engine is more reliable and requires less maintenance and will last the longest?

Is it a coin toss or is one clearly the better choice?.....All opinions are welcomed and thxs!

Scotiaman

My opinion: Start them both up (do it outside) and see which one is quieter. One thing I still don't do is mow when I WANT TO. I'm always worried about waking up the neighbors children (someone is always having another baby). If I had a quieter lawnmower (and that's relative - they're all loud), but one that was more tolerable, I wouldn't feel bad on a summer's night mowing the lawn at 8pm.

--SnowRemover