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

Looking to buy my first snow blower after tons of snow (well over 3.5 feet) hit us this week in South Western Michigan. I have a concrete grass concrete driveway about 5 car lengths long and a walk about the same length. We do get a ton of snow here normally but I'm having a hard time justifying a big dual stage machine for such a flat and small area. I'd like to stay under the $500 price point and the following models have come to my attention during my search:
1.) Ariens 522 $475(speedwaysales.com free shipping)
2.) Husqvarna 521 SSE $500 (northerntool.com free shipping)
3.) Toro Powerlite 38172 $360 (speedwaysales.com free shipping)
Do any of you have experience with these models? Are there others I should be considering? Do you know of any vendors that would provide better pricing? Any and all assistance is greatly appreciated. A new baby just arrived so price and safety matter a lot. Thanks in advance!

If you just got 3.5 feet this week with more coming a single stage blower is too small unless you want to go outside during the storm a bunch of times to clear the snow. Even with a 2 stage unit 3.5 feet all in one go is going to be a tough slog. My only experience with smaller blowers is:

1. Electric ones are only good for 1-2", its faster, easier and lighter to use a shovel. No matter what the HP rating is that they claim the motors are all are desinged for a 15A 115V circuit and that translates to a maximum HP of about 1.5HP.
2. The single stage gas units seem to be able to handle slush and snow fairly well, I've only tried one once at a dealer's in a parking lot, seemed OK but I needed more power;

The big thing that I notice is that maneuverability is very important on short driveways where you spend most of your time turning. While I can understand the small area concern the powered traction system is still very handy when you are dealing with a lot of snow or a heavy machine. Personally I'd recommend getting a two stage unit with slightly more HP than you think reasonable, its much nicer to say "Man I got too much power, it clears the snow way too fast" than to say "This thing is too small, I wish I had something that was bigger".

Simplicity 7524 intermediate. 7.5hp Briggs OHV, 24" bucket, $849 dealer

A little over, but will clear EOD and is relatively compact.

I am awaiting the snow!

Well, the snow came, 4" of it. Very light due to 0-10F. On the driveway, threw the powder. At EOD and mailbox, chewed it up, spit it neighbor's.

Hoping for more snow.