John Deere

The r/BuyItForLife community draws a sharp line between old and new John Deere: vintage and dealer-purchased machines from the 1970s through early 2000s are praised as genuinely generational equipment, while modern John Deere has become something of a cautionary tale due to right-to-repair lockdowns, software DRM, production outsourcing, and quality decline. The brand's aggressive stance against owner repairability has driven many community members to recommend Kubota as the modern equivalent for anyone seeking a truly buy-it-for-life tractor.

Older and dealer-purchased John Deere equipment has a strong BIFL track record, but modern John Deere's DRM practices, quality decline, and production outsourcing make new purchases a significant gamble — used or vintage models and dealer-grade units are the only defensible BIFL choices.

Older John Deere equipment and dealer-sold models are consistently praised for exceptional longevity, with many machines running for decades with basic maintenance. Community members with vintage Deere equipment report near-legendary durability.

• Vintage 1970s–2000s models described as built to last generations
• Dealer-purchased units significantly better quality than big box store versions
• Simple engines on older models make DIY repair straightforward
• Used Deere tractors frequently cited as excellent value buys
• Models with Kawasaki engines specifically recommended for reliability
• X300 and X500 series noted as solid performers by dealer mechanics

Modern John Deere is widely criticized for software DRM that prevents owner and third-party repairs, production being moved to Mexico, parts delays exceeding 12 months, and big-box-store models that are considered inferior rebadged products. The right-to-repair controversy has caused many longtime Deere loyalists to permanently switch brands.

• Firmware locks prevent farmers from repairing their own equipment
• Big box store Deere mowers are lower-grade, not true John Deere quality
• Production reportedly shifting from Iowa to Mexico, raising quality concerns
• Parts delays of 12+ months reported on some models
• New plastic transaxles considered garbage compared to older metal units
• Annual software subscription fees draw strong community backlash

A longtime commenter whose father both farmed and sold John Deere for 40+ years acknowledged the brand isn't what it used to be, but conceded there's still longevity in much of their current lineup — a notably ambivalent endorsement from a lifelong devotee.

One commenter with direct dealership experience confirmed that new lawn tractors are constructed similarly to old ones, but flagged the new plastic transaxles and shorter-lived engines as genuine quality regressions.

A community member summarized the brand split clearly: old John Deere machines are true BIFL candidates, but the technology-locked, right-to-repair-denied modern versions come with a serious buyer-beware warning.

Multiple commenters independently arrived at the same conclusion — that Kubota is now what John Deere was for its first 70 years, effectively recommending Kubota as the spiritual successor for buyers who want durable, owner-repairable equipment.