Toto makes toilets and Toro makes lawn mowers.

Be sure to focus on the entire lawn mower, not just the brand name of the engine. Consider construction quality, ability to bag effectively and ease of using operator controls. MTD is probably best classified as a basic machine that will do a decent but not excellent job of cutting and bagging grass. More importantly it will begin to have non-engine problems much earlier than a well designed machine from Toro or Honda.

I would look closely at the Toro Super Recycler mowers. If you are willing to maintain the mower it will easily last 30 years and repay any small premium in price over an MTD, Sears or WalMart house brand mower.