This is my first snow thrower and it has been a good experience. It starts first time every time with the hand-pull---I've not had to use the electric start. I used it the first time on our first 9" NE Ohio snow fall and it cleaned mostly down to the blacktop with no trouble and threw the wet snow probably15 feet. I had to "nudge" it a little to go up my incline but it cleaned my 80 ft drive in 35 minutes with no problems. I would buy another one.
Craftsman 179cc 4 cycle Single Stage Snow Thrower with Electric Start is recommended by EvenStephen