I have a 20 year old Husqvarna 55 Rancher that has been super-reliable and satisfying, but has gotten weird on me lately - loses power erratically while sawing, cold or hot. I'm not sure I want to install a new carb. for $90 (OEM). What I like about my Husq. is that the air filter literally never gets dirty, the chain oiler works well, it never vapor locks, and it reliably starts every time (on the 5th pull). Extremely predictable every time you use it. It has never failed until now. I have no sense of how much power it may have lost over the years.
I see horrid reviews on new Husq. stuff sold at Lowes (lots of chain wear issues, oiler issues, pull-cord problems), so I called my Stihl dealer. The MS-291 is $459 and the 311 is $520. The dealer said the 291 is still a professional grade saw (as opposed to the lower end stuff sold at chain stores). The current 450 Rancher (with bad reviews) is $430 at Lowes. A 455 Rancher is $500 at Big R., and seems to have great reviews.
Thoughts? I have other Stihl equipment and flog it mercilessly and it holds up. Should I just put a carb on my old saw, or treat myself to a new saw?