I bought this Honda lawn mower seven years ago to replace another make of petrol mower, that took literally hours to start at times. You know, the one with the little priming bulb that you have to squeeze and all that stuff. Anyway, the Honda cost about 450 pounds but what a revelation! Start of the Summer, pull it out of the garage, turn on the fuel, pull the handle...and it's off. It's never given any trouble in seven years. I change the oil every year, and the spark plug every so often. The controls are easy to use and you don't need to stop the engine when emptying the grass box. As with most things, you get what you pay for, and quality costs. As with all four stroke engines of this type, when using it for the last time in the Autumn turn off the fuel tap and allow the engine to run the carburettor dry, to stop any chance of the jet getting blocked with deposits. It makes mowing the lawn a pleasure....almost!