In my opinion, keep $400 in your pocket and buy a MTD 2 stage machine. They come with an electric start Tecumseh 4 cycle motor, multiple forward and two backward gears, and an extra large impeller which helps when you have very deep snow.

Don't go smaller than 5.5 HP, or buy a single stage. I live in the northern snow belt, and my current MTD (which is beat like a rented car) has lasted for years, most of which I had a gravel driveway. The motor is the heart of the machine....buy a good one. Everything else is easily repaired.

There's a cold wind blowing tonight...I might go out and splash a little paint on the rust spots this weekend. She'll be 13 in a few months.