lawn mower

Hi,

Any opinions on brand/model of lawn mowers?

I'm a new home owner, and have about 5,000sqft to cut. I'm looking for a self-propelled, rear drive, 3in1 style mower.

I've heard good things about Honda Mowers. Anyone have any preferences?

From what I see there are:
Craftman, Honda, MTD, Toro, Briggs&Stratton Engines that are the good brands?

Thanks

I don't know your circumstances, but are you sure you couldn't handle a "human-powered" mower?  I push a reel-type mower once a week over an expanse of lawn totalling about the same square-footage as what you have and I look forward to the two hours of exercise I get.  Mother Earth will thank you too:  even a modern lawn mower engine spews 10 times the amount of smog-causing gases into the air as a car -- the figures are much worse for older or improperly tuned engines ( http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/archive/2003/November/29/local/stories/10local.htm ).

I would seriously look at Toro personal pace.  For the money, I think it is the best deal out there.

I think the first step is to have less yard.  A garden maybe?  Some trees that are mulched?

Next, I'm sick of the gas mowers.  They are loud and they stink.  I'm tired of trying to start them.  If not a manual mower, at least consider an electric mower.