how often do you plan on replacing your mower. If you spend 5 k on a good zero turn that lasts you 5 years (depending on how much grass you cut, and yearly basic costs, blades and oil change) you can usually get a service to do it for the cost of the mower over 5 years. I stopped cutting grass, have a service, in SC northern its 8 months of cutting (we have 2 acres) for 150 a month. works out to a new zero turn every 5 years and i never have to do it