Whats a good value in a used skid steer CAT or CASE

I've been searching the internet for skid steers for the last couple of months now and thier do seem to be some better deals out there than a couple of years ago.
I want some thing that has a rated lift capacity of atleast 1750 or more with aux hyd and of cource it has to be diesel. And is common so geting used parts down the road is not a problem.
My neighbor has late model cat 236B and tells me thats the only way to go because of the pilot controlls, I have run it too and it is nice with the presision controlls but I don't think they can turn quite as good as the 2 stick types were you can actually spin one side one way and the othier side the othier way.
The othier thing I don't like about it is all the electronics, they had the cab up and holy cow theirs ALOT of wiring under thier, down the road when that thing gets up in hours (like the one I will soon buy will be) I think they will be in for some real frustration.
Cases older models seem more simply built with out all the electronic nonsence and also I like that they have the cummins engine which I think are the toughest out there. Cats Perkapilliar engine doesn't seem quite as sound to me, My neighbors little turbo 4 for instance has around 1400 hours on it and even in the summertime when its warm, it leaves a light blue trail of smoke where ever it goes and it just sounds chincy to me.
I have found a 1845C for $6,500 that a dealer has just painted (the painting thing makes me wounder if he is hiding something) it has 60% tires and 2,500 hrs.
Also found one on ebay, a 2000 model 75XT for around $8,000 and up, it has just over 2000 hrs with new tires, it has case controls too but they look more refined than the 1845C has. It also has more capacity and power, but is it as tough and proven as the 1845C is?
So in my price range of a round $10,000 whats the best value now and in the future to keep running? Othier makes/models comparison are welcome too.
Thanks for your thoughts

First question is which has better dealer support....location, parts inventory....ect. Then add in personal preference. I'm partial to Case but have a buddy that swears by Cat. The electronics scare me as the machine ages. That and the Cummins and my dealer being 5 mins away.

If the newer Case Skidsteers are like my old
1845, I would buy Case. We have beat the thing
for over 20 years if I remember right. The
only things that we have changed are tires,
new bucket, repacked one ram, and one bearing
and seal kit on left rear drive. Tach broke at
7800 hours. It is still ticking, but I am
looking to upgrade.
Tried to help my neighbor work on his new Bobcat
and I think you need a degree in Electrcal
Engineering before you can fix anything.

If you get a Cat, keep that machine clean, clean, clean. We have burned down 2 at work, from oily debris in the engine compartment. One guy barely got out (couldnt open the door because the boom was in the way)and the fire caused his controls to fail.

It don't matter which one you buy, they are all computer controlled now. Both are very good machines, I think you should buy the Case because that's your avorite.
Remember, if you buy ten of anything, one will be the best and one will be nothing but a heaDAche.
If you buy a cat and it turns out to be a trouble maker, You'll really hate yourself and your friend for not getting what you originally wanted!
I've had both and currently use an old Cat 236 for my clean up...snow and horses. Was in the excavating business for a lot of years.

I also wanted to add that I can turn my 236 360 deg with one side going forward and the other backward. If your neighbors machine wont do that, it has a problem.
Keep in mind that some of these machines really have a hard life. If you get one from a concrete outfit, more than likly it has never seen a grease gun or been serviced very often. So a 1500 hour machine from them could be nothing but problems.

We have a 236 CAT, not a bad machine, just, in my opinion, not as good as an older case. like the 2 lever controls of 1840/45"s. Cat will get stuck if you spit on ground.Can"t make wheels go in different directions. We had a coupler break on CAT pretty few hours.

I don't think you should limit your choices to only 2 brands. The Cummins are good engines but also a little more thirsty than some others. 1845C's will tip on their back easier. The Cat will spin turn but I think you have better control with 2 levers. $6500 for a 2500 hour, repainted 1845C seems too low. I'd be leary of that one. A good paint job can cost $1000. Try out what ever you're considering. Do you want a long wheelbase or not? What will you mostly be using it for? There should be quite a few available in the $10,000 range. I agree that all the electronic stuff on some machines can be a nightmare. Dave

My neighbor does claim he can get the wheels to go in different directions too, but I could never do it, maybe he has double jointed wrists,lol.

Thanks for the replys so far guys

Cat would be about the bottom of my list, but not because of the engine. Just seems like a helpless machine to me from what I've seen of them.
The engines are Shibura's, the same as NewHolland uses and nothign wrong with them other than they're high speed, low torque engines. Decent on fuel though if you don't run them too fast.
NewHolland would be my preference. LS170 or LS180 is about the class you're looking for.
Gehl probably my second choice...
Case... probably third. 75XT is a decent machine but I don't care for their hand controls.
Just look around for something that suits you. Try a bunch of them out. Check them all over for cracks and leaks along with slop in the wheel bearings and chains in the final drives. Get them hot and see if one wants to keep making heat... things like that.
Price on the 75XT seems lowish to me too but this is a down market. If the thing checks out and the title is clear, go for it.

Rod

The new holland is a better choice.The cats are very expensive to repair and have problems.The case is a 20 year old design and awkard to operate.The new holland is probaby the best on the market now and cheaper of the three.

Hey Paul,

After the horrible experience I had with Cats last year, I'd only take one if it were given to me. I push snow in Madison and the place I work for has contracts with Cat, so that's what we get. Both machines burst hydraulic lines on two different occasions. Fabco was pretty quick to get them fixed, but we refused to take 'em back this year. When two different machines with less than 50 hours have failures like that, I get leary.

Also, those joystick controls are not for me. I grew up on foot controls in a Bobcat 753 and got used to hand controls in a Case 1840 of the neighbors (both very good machines). I can do just about anything that can be done with hand or foot controls. My first experience with joystick controls was in those Cats. They offer no finesse. We're trying to backdrag several hundred driveways in a short period of time. It takes me a 1/3 longer to do it with joystick controls. I challenge someone to show me how to dig myself out with those controls. You cannot run the wheels, drop the arms, and flip the bucket with them to get you out of a hole. After 50 hours with joystick controls, I'm still no good at 'em.

I'm glad that my boss said he'd refuse to do the job if we got Cats or joystick controls this year. I'm running a Bobcat S185 and he's running an S250 with foot controls. We both have 100 inch buckets. We sure can move a lot of snow with the proper equipment.

Anyway, that's my experience with Cat skidsteers.

I farm, used to do construction work, and bought and sold a few hundred loaders the last few years so I think I have a clue. Bottom line is buy what you want

Forget the CAT, several a week show up on insurance sites that have caught fire, maybe one every other month of other brands. Cat loaders seem to have high issues of hydrostat, hydraulic, and wiring issues. I wouldn't be scared of the engine

Case loaders are decent, not perfect, pretty old design but works, I think they have higher than normal hydrostat failures. Cycle times on the case loaders seem slower on the older machines

Deere skidloaders are getting to be decent machines, stay away from the 200 series 1, series 2 are better, 300 series are mechinically good, but a pain to get in and out of and can't see out the sides the best when the boom arms are down. Deeres probably have the most engine power for the size of loader

New Hollands are not bad machines either, not overpowered, fairly reliable machines. Dated design. Hydraulics have issues with lower hours than most. I have tore into them, aluminum pumps and cheaper versions of valves are a lot of it. Engines are just OK, nothing to write home about and are not the best cold weather starters (20 and under)

Bobcat loaders are good machines. In years past, they account for about 47-48% of all machines sold new, I think that says something. I bought a new 205 in 08 and haven't had one single issue with it except the block heater quit working and they replaced it for no charge at all. I am not sure about the new 'm' series yet

I think the bobcat would stand out, but that is what I bought, buy what you want

I started with an 1816 B case then 1840 case the 1845 is clumsey and no real different then the 1840 now on a 60 xt bought new have 700 hrs on it now love the controls the 1840-45 you have to twist your wrists to raise and dump my dad could not do this so the neww ones you move your arms not wrists big difference use it every day also older bobcats are ok the newer ones will have Kioti motors (so I have been told) not sure what this will do.

Really like our New Holland L170. Has 2000 hours and no problems since new. Easy to get in and out of and has a comfortable cab. Have had a couple LX665, couple LS170, and now this one-never had a major issue with any of them. Wouldn't buy any other brand,especially the CAT, a nightmare to get in and out of-Jusy my 2 cents.