I gave up on finding a good CCR2000 / CCR3000 with the Suzuki engine. I've heard good things about the Suzuki engine but the price people were asking for them was too high for my taste. There were rust, dents, scratches. The machines just look too worn for the price. I have no desire to restore a Toro single stage.
Went and bought the 421QE and very happy with the purchase, even with the potential fuel leak recall (or is it just a hoax). The newer model is just better designed with user friendly features. It is also a higher efficiency auger systems so even if the engine isn't as good as the revered Suzuki, I can live with that.
I think the price you got for a 221QR at $566.00 from a legitimate dealer is decent. I've heard people gotten it cheaper through Home Despot in Canada with stackable coupons and promotions for less, but those deals aren't available in my area.
There's a lot to like about single stage snowblower. Some people discover it, some don't. That's too bad. Some people expect too much performance from a rubber auger and 5-6 HP machine when compared to a 2 stage machine.
Bought a Toro 421QE with a 2-year warranty. The first winter of 2010 it leaked gasoline all over the driveway. It was a big snowstorm & I had to use it. It was serviced and came back working fine, because gas was included in the tank. I forgot to ask what gas they put in. Now this winter of 2011, it leaked again, though for both winters, I used Shell Gold, with no ethanol in it. My snowblower is still in their service department and it's been weeks now. They claim to be waiting for parts.
Perhaps I should ask for an extending of warranty. We are expecting another snowstorm coming up from the Ohio Valley, two days from now.
Carl.
