Like it or not we as consumers are to blame for the ''Cheap" stuff made today, manufactures will make what they are forced into with the EPA regulations hence (Non adjustable carbs) and will then make and cater to what the average consumer wants (Cheap as possible equipment)
Any of these manufactures could bust out a classic garden tractor again but who is going to buy it when it costs $7,000 dollars, The average consumer dosent even want to pay $600 for a lowes special, dont forget with inflation our beloved Bolens were just as expensive as a car was back in the 60's, it was an investment you made and something you were proud of and took care of , today the average consumer considers owning a mower a nuisance and will put little to no money in the machine until it breaks and they buy a new one, most push mowers never get their oil changed! In the small engine world parts will always add up to more than what a whole engine costs its just a fact, any engine you buy would cost more to buy it piece by piece instead of whole its just they way it is.
Having a lousy economy dosent help much either but thats all I'll say about that
My .02