terrier

Well, AA335 and Borat
In an attempt to get things back where they belong, namely, talking about snowblowers, here goes. Some years ago, I bought a Sears (MTD) 8/26 snowblower. Used it for about 10 years, then sold it, excellent troublefree machine. A couple of years later, I bought the Honda 928(tracks). Doesn't snow a huge amount here, usually, so I kept the Honda for 5 years or so, even though I didn't like it. Bought an Ariens 7524 (small 2stage). Too small when we did get big snow so traded it back to dealer after a few years for 926LE (no diff, no freewheel). Back got worse so I couldn't use it easily. Traded it back to dealer, bought 9526DLE (differential). Got back good dollars for slightly used Ariens from dealer so stayed with Ariens. Used snowblowers are often hard to sell here for a decent dollar because they usually only get used a few times most winters. I looked at Simplicity but couldn't get as much on trade, obviously, because not an Ariens dealer. The Ariens dealer here is excellent so I guess you could say I bought the dealer as much as a snowblower. I intend to keep the 9526DLE for the foreseeable future. I tried to avoid making the above too long and boring. Enjoyed this forum for a few years before posting and will continue to do so in the future.

AA355 seems very concerned about factual accuracy so I can't help pointing out that rabbits aren't rodents, as stated in his post. They are Lagomorphs, a different group altogether. AA335 will probably say I've never really seen a rabbit and don't what I'm talking about.

NHMatt has a sense of humour. His last post was actually pretty good.

AA335 seems to unable to resist commenting on matters he knows nothing about. Send me $50 for my trouble and I'll email you a copy of the retail receipt for my Honda 928 whatever. It is pretty obvious that the only person on the continent who cares what you think about anything is Borat. Why do you assume your opinions make the slightest difference to anyone, anywhere? If you can't really afford a Honda, just buy something else, like a 12 year old MTD. Nobody will think any less of you than they already do.

Borat seems like a pleasant but silly older man. Lots of opinions but no real information to back them up, and totally unwilling or unable to do the necessary investigation to prove his theories. Just classics like, "I told my friend to buy a Tacoma and he thinks it's real good."

Borat and AA335, just let it go. Quit writing your ever so witty and nasty posts at night, in the dark, wearing your bunny pajamas with bunny ears and a trap door in the back you probably don't know how to open. You left wing guys are really annoying, sending all your money to Japan.

NHMatt:
My two year old Ariens 9526 DLE simply has not had ANY of the problems or issues you you are so keen to describe at length. I buy new snowblowers every few years because it pleases me to do so. The last three have been Ariens of various sizes and horsepower, kept on average three years. Essentially no problems with any of them. Obviously your experience has been different. I truly hated my Honda 928 for five years until I couldn't stand it any more. COMPLETE AND ABSOLUTE PIECE OF CRAP, JUNK WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT. Different people buy different snowblowers based on their perceived need. You obviously have a real, meaningful relationship with your Honda. Whatever turns you on. My Honda 928 didn't do all the remarkable things yours does. It was simply NOT a good machine, tool, whatever you want to call it. You seem to really enjoy, appreciate, like your Honda snowblower. That's good. If you're into machinery, it's good to own and use a machine that does the job for you. Like you, I totally don't care about the brand of snowblower that I own/use. Maybe next time I'll try a differnt brand, who knows?

You would seem to imply that I may be some type of representative for one of the domestic car manufacturers. I'm not. I do however own several businesses that have no relation at all to automobiles. I notice that you were totally unable to respond logically to my comments regarding toyota recalls and rusted out 1995 to 2000 pickups. You don't seem to be interested in verifying any of your prejudices or in discovering that the body of your pickup may fall off the frame. Numerous instances of this happening. Toyota admits these trucks are so dangerous that toyota will buy them back if necessary. In toyota's favour, this is an extremely responsible course of action for them to take. You might try selling your potentially dangerous pickup back to toyota.
My Ariens 9526DLE is still working flawlessly, during it's second season. I did have an issue with the machine spitting snow forward on occasion. Phoned the dealer, I was supplied with a baffle that simply bolted on in about a minute. There was no charge from either the dealer or Ariens for this. Dealer got baffle to me in about 3 days. Excellent company, excellent dealer.

Borat; I don't really see what your views on japanese vs domestic automobiles has to do with snowblowers, but whatever. You may have driven japanese cars since 1979 but you don't seem to be aware of the issues they have. Are you aware there is a recall for your year toyota pickup because the frames rust out and the bodies fall off on occasion. Happened to my brother in law. There was also a class action suit against toyota/lexus because their v6 engines were sludging up due to inadequate oil channels in the engine block. The engines would simply seize up and have to be replace at a cost of thousands. The issue with leaky transmissions on both lexus and toyota. The transmissions on 2004 and newer highlander transmissions that won't shift gears. The list goes on. Look up toyota problems on the internet. Lots of toyota/lexus problems listed on lots of sites. Incidentally, JDPower evaluates many other factors besides initial quality. Look it up. Many other sites will also verify that many domestic cars are the equal to, or in some cases better than their japanese competition. Look them up so I don't have to list them all for you. Like you, I have extensive mechanical experience. I don't want or have to rebuild my own engines anymore, but I probably still could if I had to.
You mention propaganda put out by the domestic manufacturers. I see a lot of crap from toyota that I would certainly classify as propaganda, no different from the domestics.
The new Malibu would seem to be the equal of any toyota, according to the numerous road tests I have read. You may not agree that the new Malibu is a good car but you are simply uninformed and would seem not to be privy to much new information regarding the changing automotive world. Some Korean cars are now excellent cars, Hyundai comes to mind.
The average male person thinks he knows everything there is to know about cars. tv's, stereos and appliances. Unfortunately, the ones I talk to daily in my business don't seem to know much about anything. Lots of opinions, but not much actual knowledge. I think that Honda cars are much superior to toyota cars but this is an emotional reaction.
REMEMBER, this whole dialogue started because I am of the opinion that MY particular Honda 928 snowblower was a piece of crap, and that for me the Ariens 9526DLE is plain and simple, a better machine. People who own snowblowers that are more expensive (ie Hondas) feel compelled to justify their choice. Everything I read on this forum is just personal experience and preference. All brands have produced examples that are great and ones that don't work as their new owners hoped. I realize now that you just need to be right and that nothing anyone says will change your somewhat exalted view of all things japanese. Do us both a favour and let this be the last exchange on this subject. I come to this forum to read about snowblowers and nothing else.