Buy new combine . . .or go with a late-model, low-hour combine with an extended warranty

[dmowitz]

There is a large inventory of 1- and 2-year-old combines at dealers lot, many if not all of which have been inspected, repaired and upgraded under manufacturer's new certified pre-owned programs. The thing is, a certified pre-owned combine combine comes with at least an additional year of warranty coverage. 

Like-new combines with like-new warranties.

And they are selling for 50% or less the cost of a new combines.

So what would you do . . .buy new or a certified pre-owned 1- to 3-year-old combine with low hours and a like new warranty?

[Jim Meade / Iowa City]

Dave,

I am not in this market, but if I were, I would almost certainly buy the pre-owned combine.  In today's economy, I'd expect to keep it quite a while.  Thus, the warranty is good to have but I'd know up front I was not going to trade every year to keep in warranty, rather, I'd be doing some maintenance on it.  Thus, the bigt price discount up front would go toward the maintenance bill and it would surely go a long way.

[buckfarmer]

I Think I have a pretty good feel for the main contributors on this site. My guess not many are buying a new or even a one year old model.

[r3020]

1-2 year old combines for half the price of new? Are you sure about that?

[ECIN]

For years  and years - there was 2 pieces of equipment that dad and I bought new - 1. A planter and 2 a combine -

One year - the dealer stopped by and had a 2 year machine coming in and needed to find it a home - had 350 hours on it - Dad sent me over to inspect it - top of the line machine - well maintained  - very well maintained - We traded the next day for it - great savings doing that deal - since - I have never traded for a new one - One thing is that with only 2-3 hundred hours - all the bugs have been worked out - no adjusting belts , chains - they all ready to go - It helps to know where it comes from - I have seen some of them 1 - 2 years and out machines rode hard and put away wet = misused BAD .