I think you can still buy a decent Echo in the $250 range. It's what I own and it's a great unit.

All the repair shops in this area have recently, all but refused, to work on anything considered cheap, namely $250 or less.

I've thrown in the towel myself. I tell the people to change out the gas and the spark plug and if it doesn't start, throw it away.

Coils rarely fail or atleast after the fuel system fails anyway. I would suggest you remove you spark plug, plug it back in, ground it out against the jug (head, or metal part around the spark plug hole) flip the switch to on, and pull the rope? you will either see a nice blue spark, no spark (providing you got it grounded out and the switch in the on position) or a orangish weak spark. Outside change your ingition switch or wiring may be bad.

Most likely the fuel lines are rotted, the gas tank is full of crud, filter is plugged up, carb. plugged up, carb. screws loose, jug screws, loose, crank case screws loose, or it's just worn out (no compression), But I would bet on the fuel system being gone.

I pulled them out of the trash as suggested above and all was wrong with them was neglect. Lets face it most people (95%) just put gas in what ever the own and when it breaks buy another one. Nothing wrong with that as along as you got good credit.

nothing wrong with MTDs if you know how to keep care of them. they will run just as long as the others, but, I wouldn't want to run one 8 hours a day, there not made for that, but for the above average homeowner that has some clue of pre-ventive maintenance they will last a long time

got 2 featherlites myself and one 33cc weedeater. only problems ive had when it became really hard to start was the fuel lines rot out and crack. i bought 2 feet of replacement fuel lines and it cost me 4 dollars. check the fuel lines as that is a common problem with weedeater brand.

I vote to buy a new one!!!

Lowes sell Husqvarna 125L 28cc for $199. It is a entry commercial/super duty home owner model. People use it for commercial with great success. It is powerful (28cc) and is a commercial brand.

Echo-SRM210 for $200. 5 year warranty(Stihl has 2)

I also own an Echo SRM210. I'm going on my third season with and it is worth the $200. The only thing I would say is to buy it from a dealer and not a big box store.
The dealer I bought mine from started it up to make sure it was running right, and he recorded the serial number to register it for the warranty, they aren't going to do that in the big box store. The dealer actually had a better price.
I took mine out for the first time yesterday, added mix (I empty the tank at the end of the season to keep the carb from gumming up) and it started on the second pull.

The SRM-210 has been discontinued and replaced by the SRM-225. They cost about $220. plus of course tax, if applicable. HD sells them, as well as, other dealers. I bought one last year at HD and can readily recommend it.
I took yungman's previous advice and bought at HD, because like he I have had less than good "service" with local dealers.
Regarding Husquavarna, I have read that their lower priced units are really just re-branded Poulan products (at least that is true for their low priced chainsaws). Correct me if I am wrong.

I think mine is the SRM-210 or one step above. I couldn't remember the exact price, but it apparently was about $200. Always starts, does the job and is very reliable.

He mentioned he worry about the power, and the fact he mention about 1/4 acre, that is the reason I did not mention SRM210. Yes I would put my bet on the SRM210 rather than the 125L. SRM210 IS a true commercial trimmer, not a high end consummer trimmer like the 125L. But you have to know the limit of the small 21cc engine.

I am glad to hear the new SRM225 is good too.

@yungman or anyone else so do you think i would notice a huge difference between a stihl that comes with a 27cc engine vs Echo 21cc engine? They are both commercial strength engines i would say so the stihl would have a lot more power?

Which model Stihl and which model Echo?

If you are only trimming grass, get the lighter model, if you need to do brush cutting I'd get the bigger trimmer with a solid shaft.

I don't buy new ones--i just use the ones that dumbos toss out! I've found one new one that had a bent shaft housing, and it had the tiller attachment, too. It runs well!
found a green one-never did figure out what was wrong with it, except somebody had tied the end of the plastic line around the bottom of the shaft, and then told dear old Dad it was locked up! 'Twas! I cut the string and now it runs great! Tricky off-spring,-had to watch TV, or Twitter! Sold it to a friend!

Echo don't post the hp of the 21cc. But it is a small engine compare to Stihl FS55 or the Husky 125L. You are talking about 30% size difference or more. Yes I am willing to bet the two bigger ones are a lot more powerful.

The Echo is a very good trimmer for it's purpose. But it is a small trimmer. There are very few cases I would not recommend the Echo, you are one of the few!!! Because you mentioned 1/4 acre of land. You need a big one, I did not even talk about the Shindaiwa HomePro because it is only 24cc. The Stihl FS55 is a good one too, I just forgot to mention. And also sounds like you are on a budge, 125L is only $149 in my area. NO one can beat this price. And for you, it is going to last forever. If you like the Stihl, go for it.

My bad, I quote the 125L wrong, it is $199. My mind wasn't working!!! Then you can choose Stihl if it is cheaper.

Don't go cheap and get a Craftsman etc. Stay with the brands we talked about and you won't go wrong. This is a once in a lift time buy, I would not let a little more money stop you from buying a good one. If I were you, I would even consider fitting a SpeedFeed head onto the trimmer. You'll thank me for that.

I have two fairly new 26cc Homelite Mighty Weed Trimmers. Both have less then two (2) hours of running time on them. On one the pull string wont return, it wont start the engine. I tried rewinding the spring and the string at least 8 times and I still canÂt get this thing to work right. I am an automotive machinist of over 40 years I work with the smallest to the largest engines all day. I had several other Top Machinists in the shop take a look at it as well. The string wont return back to its original position after a load is applied to the engine. After the second pull it jams again. The only other option I can think of is to replace the starter pulley. But the trimmer is new right????? I paid $120.00 for the thing new, and spent about $400.00 in time trying to fix it. The other trimmer the muffler fell off after the third (3) usage

Papa: Pleeease! Give it a Rest !!

The 200.00 straight shaft Echo has been the middle of the choices in my opinion and most recommended by landscapers and DIY homeowners. From my personal experiences using and servicing trimmers, you'll have to learn to use whatever you get. You can have problems with any brand/model. logger

Tend to agree with Loger ! I normally lean towards Stil Products (Chainsaws) but have heard numerous complaints with there middle of the road trimmers. The Commercial Grade Straight Shaft Units which are much more expensive seem to get a passing grade. However all the Echo Line appear to have better average comparative acceptance. If you where leaning toward 4-Cycle Honda is what I hear has the Best to Offer , but Probably over your Intended Budget . This of course coming from a Budget Minded Weed-Eater Homeowner Grade Trimmer who does not mind servicing what he owns lol . :)