I have a 24 inch machine I bought at WalMart in Ellsworth back around 1996. I think it is an MTD brand. Terrific machine. Starts right away and eats deep snow very well. Still running great. I think the thing is they just don't get many hours on them. Only thing that brings it to its knees is deep and wet snow. Tough going. One thing I would recommend though is that you buy one with electric start. Mine has a 110 volt starter. You run a cord out from the garage and she starts right up. The thing has an 8 hp motor which is very difficult to pull start.