The engine is one of the biggest things in mowers other than it being
self propelled.

Honda makes some real good engines (not all necessarily on honda decks
either)

Briggs has some decent stuff out now.

Tecumseh, I just hate them.

Decide if you are a mulcher or bagger. The larger the bag, the better.

As for self propelled? Bah dont need it, just something else that will
break down the road.