Pressure Washer price differences

Bill C.

New member
Why are cold water belt drive pressure washers priced so differently for machines with similar specs. I see 5.5 gpm machines from $1,800 to $3,500. They all have similar specs and name brand pumps (CAT, General, Comet, Giant) Does it just come down to a higher end model for the same pump? I would like to upgrade from my 4gpm 3500 PSI belt drive (Giant P316 pump, Honda engine) to a 5.5 gpm machine. I would like some advice and opinions .
 
My buddy bought a 5.0 gpm belt drive for $1,500 from a distributor in MD. Has honda engine and Comet pump. How much better can a General pump be? For a $1,000 difference. I must be missing something. I don't want to buy an expensive machine thinking its better just cause it costs more. I also don't want a piece of junk.
 
Stick to a Cat/General pump and a kohler/honda setup. Vendors on here are good with prices, if there price is a little higher they will make it up in service. Keep in mind, many vendors charge less for the product, but kill you in shipping to make up for the difference.
 
My buddy bought a 5.0 gpm belt drive for $1,500 from a distributor in MD. Has honda engine and Comet pump. How much better can a General pump be? For a $1,000 difference. I must be missing something. I don't want to buy an expensive machine thinking its better just cause it costs more. I also don't want a piece of junk.


Your missing the HP, 20 HP is better the 13 hp
 
Thanks.
So the price difference is usually because the of vendor and not the machine (for machines with same pump and engine).
 
My buddy bought a 5.0 gpm belt drive for $1,500 from a distributor in MD. Has honda engine and Comet pump. How much better can a General pump be? For a $1,000 difference. I must be missing something. I don't want to buy an expensive machine thinking its better just cause it costs more. I also don't want a piece of junk.

Unless Comet has changed their design and or quality......I wouldn't touch one.

Again Honda motor, General pump.......The "Pressure Pro" cold water machines are the best bang for the buck.....we've got 4 of them. Make that 6 with Honda/General combo.
 
Like Guy said, avoid the Comet. Stick with General or the larger ARs and you'll be good for a long time.
 
I have owned two comet pumps in my life and they are both long since deceased. All the general pumps I have owned are either sold or still in my storage garage ready for use. Vendors are usually within a couple hundred dollars apart. If there is a drastic difference you have to look closely at the unit. Could have an electric start, stuff like that. You get what you pay for, and $3500 in the scheme of things is peanuts, since that machine can probably make that in a week or less.
 
Thanks. Do you guys recommend electric start or pull start. I've only used pull start. Seems like less things to break.
 
There are many things that affect the price, make sure you are comparing apples to apples as there are different psi ratings, different gpm's, different brands of engines, pumps, steel frames or aluminum frames, frames with wheels or just a metal frame to boltdown, electric start,pull start or both, some come with hose and some do not, some come with nozzle holders, some do not, etc.....

You cannot just say that one vendor cost more than another as there are many, many variables involved.

Do some reading on each and then compare apples to apples.

I also would stick with the vendors that post here as they all have great customer service before, during and after the sale.
 
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