Those rubber coated wires are fairly cheap to replace. Ask the
salesmen if they often get returns on this specific model. [for anyone
else reading this ask your salesperson on ANY items you buy if a brand
is often returned!]
The cables can also sweat and rust out over time but gears will more
often freeze-up.

I've just gone trough the rigmarole's of shopping for a snow blower.
Its not easy.

Buy what you can afford, but don't overbuy. I got a long driveway
(about 7-10 cars could park) and i got a 318cc from Toro.

I was going to buy from Sears but since they had to order it and
couldn't guarentee a time i shopped elsewhere that day.

As some of the information that i found online mentioned was to go to
a dealer where they also service the machines.
Long story short, they could tell me which models where most often
returned, fixed, parts that broke most often... every shear pin
stories you could imagine. He explained it clearly and was honest. I
hope you can find a dealer like this one where you can trust the
person that sold you the machine, compared to someone that also sells
fertilizer, snow boots, and BBQ.

How long is your driveway? 358cc is great 9.5 is also good. Only set
back i see is the heated hand warmers.
I ask you this, where do you think the power to heat your hands is
comming from? Engine right! your loosing power to heat your hands! Not
a good option in my opinion but if its there just don't turn it on.

at 900$US I think its a good buy. Tecumseh is not a recommended engine
but you are just using it 6-12 times a year. Take care if it and it
should last you 10 years+++
cln