Hi,
I'm thinking of buying a Honda Izy 16 inch self-propelled lawnmower, but my
local mower shop is rubbishing it, saying it is a cheap supermarket special
and the engine is not worth repairing if anything goes wrong. By a
coincidence he doesn't stock Hondas.
It comes with a 2 year warranty and BBC Gardeners World Magazine voted it
Best Petrol Mower so it can't be too bad can it?
Does anyone have any experience of the Izy? I'd be very pleased to hear
other people's opinions.

Thanks,
Derek.

Hi Derek,

I'm new to these forums but I am a mechanic and will say this much...

Honda is, like many Japanese manufacturers, renowned for reliabilty. They have been producing engines of all types for some years now and in cars & motorbikes, and always come in high for reliabilty. I guess that as your local dealer doesn't stock them, they are bound to try and push you toward one of their own franchised products.

Look at it this way: If you had read reviews about a used Toyota car, and then went to a BMW dealer to buy a used Toyota, you can bet your bottom dollar they would try and sell you a BMW. There's no reason the BMW wouldn't be reliable - but then there's no reason the Toyota wouldn't be either. The fact that the dealer would get a good commision from the BMW sale would sway them that way.

If you feel after reading user reviews that the Honda is right for you, then go for it. You will get a 12 month warranty anyway, and the mower will probably last for years and years afterwards. We live in a "throw away" society with hourly labout charges often being worth more to repair than replace.

I had a look thorugh the www for reviews on the Izy but couldn't find many at all, so guess it's a new product? Therefore, I also guess your dealer can't really judge this product just yet. Maybe (if you can wait), give it a month and see what reviews are posted?

I know this doesn't really help, but I'm trying to play Devils Advocate here.

Every Honda motor I have been around is outstanding. I noticed around
here the Amish buy Honda everything.


From Mel & Donnie in Bluebird Valley





http://community.webtv.net/MelKelly/TheKids

"DiddyS" wrote in message
...
Hi,
I'm thinking of buying a Honda Izy 16 inch self-propelled lawnmower, but
my local mower shop is rubbishing it, saying it is a cheap supermarket
special and the engine is not worth repairing if anything goes wrong. By a
coincidence he doesn't stock Hondas.
It comes with a 2 year warranty and BBC Gardeners World Magazine voted it
Best Petrol Mower so it can't be too bad can it?
Does anyone have any experience of the Izy? I'd be very pleased to hear
other people's opinions.

Thanks,
Derek.
Honda self-propelled lawnmower is rated the best lawnmower on the consumer
reports. Ijust read up on it. Everything honda makes is good.

I don't have this model, but I have a Honda 21 in 6 hp bought back in
1996. It was a one pull start back then and ten years later is a 3 pull
start. Run's strong and all I have done is change oil as required.

Yep. Ditto.

Hi,
Thanks for your input. You have confirmed my view that Honda wouldn't put
their name to anything that's rubbish and I intend to order one in the next
few days.
Many thanks,
Derek.

DiddyS wrote:

Hi,
I'm thinking of buying a Honda Izy 16 inch self-propelled lawnmower, but my
local mower shop is rubbishing it, saying it is a cheap supermarket special
and the engine is not worth repairing if anything goes wrong. By a
coincidence he doesn't stock Hondas.
It comes with a 2 year warranty and BBC Gardeners World Magazine voted it
Best Petrol Mower so it can't be too bad can it?
Does anyone have any experience of the Izy? I'd be very pleased to hear
other people's opinions.


I haven't heard of the Izy but I suspect it uses the Honda GC series
engines. While not the same quality as the GX series, they are still
pretty good for the money. When the GC engines first appeared on economy
mowers many decided they were "throw away" engines. Six years later most
are still running like the day they were built. I am beginning to think
that Honda could not build a crappy engine if they tried.

--
Art