Honda vs. Toro

[stick1432]

I am looking to hear from anyone who might have a Honda HRX mower. What are your likes/dislikes? Any problems with it? I'm looking to replace my personal-pace Toro. Not sure if I should get another Toro or give Honda a try.


2007 Pilot LX
2007 Accord EX-L V6

[andrec8513]

I have a 2 year old 217HRX, and it does not compare to a Toro. My Father-in-Law has a Toro (I have used this as well) and the 2 don't compare. Do yourself a favor and get the Honda!

[colorider]

Moved to OFF TOPIC.




(and I own a Snapper mower)

[LChisum]

I just bought a Lawn Boy (owned by Toro) this summer, and couldn't be more pleased with it. The "personal pace" system works like a charm. I replaced a top of the line Sears Craftsman mower that had a Honda engine. The engine was great, but there was a chronic problem with the rear wheel drive. I thought I had to have a blade clutch and a throttle control on any mower I owned, but the Lawn Boy has proven that I don't need them.

Larry

[N_Jay]

Originally posted by LChisum
I just bought a Lawn Boy (owned by Toro) this summer, and couldn't be more pleased with it. The "personal pace" system works like a charm. I replaced a top of the line Sears Craftsman mower that had a Honda engine. The engine was great, but there was a chronic problem with the rear wheel drive. I thought I had to have a blade clutch and a throttle control on any mower I owned, but the Lawn Boy has proven that I don't need them.

Larry

Craftsman are mid line mowers.
I have the "top of the line" Craftsman with the Honda engine.
The only reason I got it is because it was a on a great sale.
It is about the same as the MTD or any of the others mowers that have started using the Honda engine.

The engine is great, the rest is so-so.

Next time I will get a real Honda.

Oh wait, there will not be a next time because I only get a new mower when the engine dies, and I will be not mowing my own lawn by then . . . It's a Honda engine!

[jdeanski]

Originally posted by andrec8513
Do yourself a favor and get the Honda!

I'd rather put the extra $100 bucks or so in my pocket....buy the Toro.

[Caf2461]

Do yourself a favor and get a Toro.

Don't get a cheapened Home Depot model with the Tech motor. The real ones have cast liner Briggs and Stratton engines. Mine is the aluminum deck Personal Pace model. Starts first pull every time for 5 years now. It is the only mower in the neighboorhood that will mulch relatively tall wet grass. The personal pace feature is nice, a very light push and however fast you want to go it goes.

[jay]

I pay the landscaping company that does our HOA common area to cut mine while they're here. Best money I spend!

[scuba steve]

i had a honda HRX. it was worth the extra coin. never had a problem with it. it fired on the first pull everytime, even after the winter was over.

owned it when i lived in NC. grass there grows fast.

the deck is a little heavier, but it wasn't that bad.

i live in CA now, don't need a mower. i sold it to my friend in atlanta. he loves it too.

[rocky]

If the Honda wasn't available locally, check into the John Deere walk behinds with the Kawasaki engine. Another great engine manufacturer

[macphanatic]

My John Deere with a cast deck has served me well for 19 years. Biggest issue was the coil went last year - cost $120 to have it replaced.

[NJGuy]

If you need some help deciding...

Here are the results of CR's reliability survey.

[NJGuy]

Here's the first half of their model ratings list.

[NJGuy]

here's the second half of their model rating list.

[NJGuy]

I would have a tough time trying to decide between the Honda and Toro models when it comes time for me to buy a new mower.

When I first started cutting my parent's lawn in the late 80's, they had an early-mid 80's self-propelled Toro that was great. However it developed an oil leak that kept getting worse, even after it was repaired. It eventually lead to the mower's demise. The mower probably lasted us for about 12 years or so. I'm sure their product reliaibility has improved greatly since then.

The next mower we got (while we still had the Toro) was a push style Honda HR194. We got it from my aunt and uncle, so I don't know exactly what model year it was, ('92/93'?). I didn't like it as much because it wasn't self propelled and had a much smaller bag capacity, but it was much easier to start. I have very poorly maintained it over the years and yet it keeps on running. The only repair done to the mower was a replacement of the throttle & blade clutch cables which wore out and snapped because the cable sheathing was kinked during transport. And when I moved to my new home with my wife, I took the mower with me where I still use it today. Nowadays I try to give it a bit more TLC in an attempt to extend its life. It doesn't start up as easily or run as nicely as it used to but it still gets the job done. I've actually grown quite attached to this appliance.

Once the Honda no longer runs, I'd probably choose between a Honda and Toro for a replacement. I've heard from a Sears repairman that most of their small engine appliances (Briggs & Stratton, Tecumseh) usually last about 5-8 years, so my experience with my Honda's long life would lead me towards the HRX. However, I'm sure the Toro's reliability has improved. And at price about $100 less, it looks very attractive considering my other financial obligations and that I'd already be spending around $500+ on a single purchase.

If I were you, i'd also consider the proximity of Honda & Toro authorized repair centers, or any other factors that might come into play over the time you own it. Unless you have some crazy wicked lawn and yard, I bet there wouldn't be much of a performance difference between comparable models of the two brands.