Ideally I'd have mower and backhoe, which makes the only choice an R series. Would rather have the manual trans, and for the cost difference I could buy a 3D and a zero turn for the cost of an R. My current zero turn mower is 16 years old, so it makes sense to have the option of adding a mower, and I feel I would be best suited with a MMM. I hate how certain option choices are limited. I also prefer overkill - the R has more lilt capacity and available horsepower. Just hate the price.