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

I was at a local Honda dealer yesterday and I was stunned by the prices on their snowblowers. In Canadian dollars, they were: 928 wheels: $3000 928 track: $3400 724 track: $3400 1132 track: $3500 I know they have tracks, hydro tranny, honda engines, etc. but they're at least $1000-1500 more than equivalent toro and ariens models. Is it gold, they re making?

You must be so lonely. 

Steve_Cebu wrote:
Steve, I agree!  I'd like to sit in a cab with the tunes playing and the heater running.  I could still listen to the purr of the engine in total comfort.

+1 agreed here too.  Any larger than 32" bucket and heavier than 400 lbs, I want to sit on it, not walk behind it.  Those sidewalk snowblowers with 6 foot tall chutes are awesome, accurate snow discharge placement.  Skid steer would be nice, tracks optional.  Lights, engine, action! 

Steve_Cebu wrote:
Congrats on your new snowblower.  The 928TAS was my first choice.  However, last year, I had to buy the next size up which is the 1132TAS because the dealer just sold the last 928 track model just an hour before I came to the store, to a municipality, of all customers.  I got free $70 delivery and a quart of Honda oil.  :)  You did good with $150 off. 

I was impatient and wanted to buy a Honda tracked snowblower in 2008 before a major snowstorm.  Looking back, I would gladly waited another year to get the 928TAS and give up the extra power and width of the 1132TAS for the quicker handling of 928TAS.

I am new to this site and have been following this discussion with interest.  I am considering a purchase of the Honda HS724WA (wheeled version).  My local dealer is selling them at a price of $1,809.  Does this change anyone's opinion (I know that the quoted Canadian price has been much higher.  I have about 200' of driveway to clear with several dead-ends, so I still like compactness and manuverability of the 24" unit.  If I don't buy the Honda (or a used one) I am probably looking at something like an Ariens Deluxe 24.  Thanks for the help..

Are you considering the Ariens Deluxe 24" or the Ariens Deluxe Platinum 24"?

I'm having trouble reconciling some of the prices noted throughout this thread.  I looked up the list MSRP for Honda, Simplicity, and Ariens commercial models and I'm not seeing where Honda is priced at twice what other are listed for.  For example:

Honda HS928WAS (28" wheels w/ electric start) listed at $2,679 US Dollars.
Simplicity Pro P1628E (28" wheels w/ electric start) listed at $2,250 US Dollars.  Difference is $429 or a 16% premium for the Honda.

Honda HS928TAS (28" tracks w/ electric start) listed at $2,799 US Dollars.
Ariens ST28DLET (28" tracks w/ electric start) listed at $2499 US Dollars.   Difference is $300 or a 11% premium for the Honda.

I compared the top of the line Pro-Commercial Simplicity and Pro model Ariens to the Commercial rated Honda's, which seems fair.  I know that one can claim that a lower end Simplicity or Ariens can do the same job as the Honda...but then one can also claim that a $10 shovel can do the same thing as any snow blower.  So to compare apples to apples I looked at the top of the line models for each brand.

The only thing I can think of is perhaps the Simplicity's and Ariens are deeply discounted off of the MSRP and the Honda's are not...which might make the Honda's cost twice what the other Pro-models cost but I'm not sure that's the case.

BTW...I'm an Ariens man.  Not sure how that will play out over time because I was also an Oldsmobile man and we all know how that worked out.

Paul7: Come on up and buy a Honda in Canada. Then pay 13% on top of the $3000.00 CDN dollars. Pricing in this country is ridiculous.

Paul,

Just stay where you are.  Soon after the healthcare bill passes in the US, you will be paying what Canadians pay.  :)

Borat,

Just imagine if Canada send troops all over the world, how much more would you pay for a snowblower?

In all seriousness, there is no discounting or very little on Honda snowblower in my part of the country.  I got free delivery and a quart of oil. 

aa335 wrote:

Thanks, I really wanted the 1132, but after a test drive of the unit it was too much for my wife to manage. I figured ok well maybe the 928 will be too wimpy. But after reading guys posts of different forums up in places like Canada I had no worries about the 928. The tracks were a must have. I did get $100 off sticker, free delivery, free pick up and drop off for maintainance and/or warranty repairs and $150 off the electric starter. I'm very happy with the deal. :-) Freedom Cycle in Concord, NH is a great place to buy from. (shameless plug)

Honestly as long as you can handle the 1132 it's a great machine. but if I can't get out to do the driveway for some reason my wife can and oh boy is she chomping at the bit to use it! LOL She wants to use it more than I do. It's snowing now and we should get 4 inches so she'll get her wish tonight. I'll help her get the hang of it and then we can fight over who gets to do the driveway.

The Toro 1028 I had was good but this Honda is miles better in so many ways for our uses. That said the Toro/Ariens/Simplicity Dealer; Still's in Manchester, NH was one of the most honest dealers I've ever worked with. The honda track system is just soooo nice. If I had wanted wheels the Toro would have been good as long as I didn't need to throw 2" of slush.