If the MS230 and MCV51 were almost the same price, then no question I would take the MCV51 for a 1 and done, occasional use saw.
So the MCV51 is $329 there, how much is a new Stihl MS250?
$299 US plus tax.
I am in Canada so my opinion may not be relevant to your question. I paid $299cdn for my Stihl MS230, and $499cdn for my Maruyama MCV51. If almost everything you are cutting is 10" or smaller, I wouldn't hesitate to buy the smaller/cheaper Stihl. I have cut a ton of small stuff with my MS230 and I really like that saw. It is very light and maneuverable with a 16" bar, great on fuel, and has plenty of power for it's size. Did I mention I really like it? However, once you get into larger wood, I greatly prefer the Maruyama. It's a little bigger and heavier, but it doesn't lack for beans when cutting 18" logs. Neither saw is going to wear you out. If the MS230 and MCV51 were almost the same price, then no question I would take the MCV51 for a 1 and done, occasional use saw.
I am in Belleville, Ontario. There is a Maruyama dealer in Roblin - north of Napanee. They are just a small husband/wife team with an outdoor power equip. business - nice people. I have posted a link here to their website before but they aren't sponsors here so I will call it "one and done" for the free advertising lol. If you do a google search of Maruyama Belleville Ontario you will likely find my dealer on FB or Kijiji.
A friend of mine has an MS170. He brought it a couple times for firewood cutting sessions, but after that it stayed in the truck lol. They might be great for light trimming but other than that...
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