DH just got a new one last month, a Weed Eater, from K-Mart, I think it was $89. It replaced his ten year old one, also a Weed Eater. In FL, lawn care is every 4-5 days from April thru Oct., and he does a lake edge. His old one still worked (10 years) but the cord broke. It always started for him on the first pull, the new one does too.
We did buy new cord and he repaired the old one, so he has a spare if need be. I checked the papers on our Toro mower recently as it's self propelled and when it's wet and dewy in the morning, doesn't work so well. Got it in Dec. 1993.
I suppose the drive belt has seen better days. Don't you think it should last longer than 17 years? :-)