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?

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.

aa335 wrote:
I was looking at the Deluxe 24 model.  I thought that if I paid for all the features that are included in the Platnum 24 that I would be getting within shouting distance of purchasing the Honda.  I believe that I can buy the Deluxe 24 for @$900.  Thanks.

Paul7 wrote:

I paid $2,537 for a 928TAS.  They gave me $150 off on the electric start which I didn't want but wanted a unit so $50 more ok. So my Toro 1028 was $1,699.99 The Honda 928TAS had tracks that adds to the cost of any unit and well worth it for me. Makes it $837 premium over the Toro. I figure the tracks are pretty expensive so no way to compare to Toro and another Ariens dealer I spoke with said Ariens didn't make good tracks. I have no idea, but he didn't sell Honda but suggested Honda if I wanted tracks.

I'm new to all this but I'd head down to a local dealer you trust and take a few of these out for a spin and see which one you like. If the Honda isn't worth an extra $800 then maybe a Simplicity or Toro or Ariens. I have to admit if I wanted wheels the Toro Skid steer is well worth trying out it's works so well that I can't see the others working as well for turning on a dime. The Honda does not turn as well as the Toro 1028 with skid steer on both wheels. Simplicity has just one wheel that locks as does some Ariens and the Ariens Limited slip on their high end models seemed useless when my wife and I tried it. YMMV, try them out that's what the dealer is for. I only wish I had tried the Honda instead of putting it off because of the price.
Buy what you like and what works for you.

Steve,

You did pretty good on the pricing of that 928TAS.  That's funny that  your wife wants in on the snowblowing action as well.  Don't worry about the 928 being wimpy compared to the 1132.  There are rare occasions when snow is deep and heavy enough for the 1132 beast to outshine the 928.

MetalKing wrote:
If you are looking for a Ariens Deluxe 24, the price differential is too great to cross shop a Honda 724.  May I interest you to consider the Ariens Deluxe Platinum 24" AND a singe stage Toro 221Q for about the same $$$ to one Honda HS724?  It may sound ludicrous, but it will become quite reasonable and smart decision later on.

The Platinum 24" at about $1300 is a good deal, all features considered.  It is quite feature loaded.  The 24", $1300 snowblower category is quite competitive so I think you are getting the best value here.  The Toro 221Q is $619, best performing single stage snowblower, IMO.