I need a low end gas powered string trimmer that hopefully will last a few years.

 What brand works for you?  

Ryobi, Poulan, Craftsman, Homelite....?..?

a manly man reaches for a stihl!

i have an old mccullach (sp) that's has lasted for 8 years...but i think the company may be out of business.

gotta say homelite, based on their excellent, cheap chainsaws. i have a homelite saw that's gotta be over 20 years old, and it still cuts as well as my stihl.

I have an Echo, it's been working great for 4 years.

I have a Stihl chainsaw and it is awesome.
I had a Stihl cordless trimmer and it was a POS. Had it into the dealer several times.

I really dont know about what is best for the $$.

What about Eager Beaver? Gotta like the name.

When you buy power tools spend the extra money and get a good one that will last.  I highly recommend a Echo or a Husqvarna.  I have had the same Echo for over 9 years and haven't had one problem.  My father has a Husky and loves it, but buy a big one, becasue the little ones are built by Poulan aka JUNK.  

Do not buy a box store brand. Echo or Stihl are both very good products. Whatever you buy, make sure there is a servicing dealer in your area. Having something you have to send off to have worked on just to save a few $$ isn't woth the bother. Echo has a one or two year warranty against materials and workmanship. I would imagine Stihl has a similar one.

If you purchase one, be sure to run it enough to make it worth your while. My worst customer is a homeowner with piece of two cycle equipment.

One thing I think helps a lot with 2 strokes is to use fresh gas, measure your oil accurately, and make sure it's mixed before you pour into the tool.  Also, if it looks like it will be more than a week before you use the tool again, drain the fuel back into the jug & run the tool until it dies from lack of fuel.

I have an Echo chainsaw, 26 years old, and she starts on the 2nd pull every time.  Air filters, plugs, bars and chains, and maybe an occasional sprocket are all she's needed.

I've used Echo and Stihl weed wackers and brush cutters, and I'd recommend either.  Choice boils down to dealer support level (NOT a big box dealer) in your neck of the woods.

-hanko

^

I posted the same topic about a month ago and Echo came up as being a good choice.

In my case, the problem is the closest dealer is 75 mile away!

I'm probably buy a Sears or some crap like that because they're close.