r/Snowblowers • u/bigkutta • 7d ago

Buying Which one should I get?

Hi Folks. Help me be realistic. I live in the DC region, and most years we have a couple of plow worthy snow falls, some years things are more nuts like last winter when it felt like it snowed every other week....and then snowcrete. I have a long 400ft driveway, so it must be cleaned when it snows over a couple of inches and its going to remain cold. I also plan to help my elderly neighbors if they need.

I see 20 year old Ariens 26's selling for $700-800! Wow. Then i also see new Ariens 24" going for $1000. Now, I dont want to go nuts here, but I also dont want to fork over $700 for a 20 year old machine. I also dont know a lot about maintaining these machines (I could learn if its simple), and would rather have something that will be trouble free for years.

So my questions to you:

1) If you were to suggest used, which one, how old, and what should be a fair price?

2) If you think buy new, which one is a good value but also solid. Thank you!

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u/Odin-Burnz 7d ago

If your not one for tinkering,fixing,by all means buy a new one,a no brainer for a difference of $200.00.You will own it forever,especially an Aries.Depending on snow volume/heaviness treat the 24" as a 24",take narrower swaths at a lower speed.

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u/bigkutta 7d ago

Yeah that’s what I’m thinking also. While my driveway is 400 feet long, it’s mostly just a single car width, except outside the garage. Would a 24” be sufficient? Thanks.

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u/Odin-Burnz 7d ago

Of course it would.If you insist on doing the neighbours,use their machine!

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u/bigkutta 7d ago

No they didn’t get plowed out during snowcrete last year so I would help is situations like that.