Keep 2-cycle snowthrower?

I have a 15 year old toro 6.5 HP snowblower that has been meticulously maintained and works like a champ. I do not need a 2 stage since 90% of the snow is less than 10" of fluffy to medium weight stuff. I like the single stage unit for a multitude of reasons including they just clean the hard surface better. I don't have anything gravel.

Now getting parts is harder to find. even online, plus some of the new ones have lights, ice cutting teeth, and better chute turning designs (Simplicity brand comes to mind). My problem is that the government has all but eliminated the 2-cycle snowblowers. They are all 4-cycle now. I like the low maintenance in the winter of the 2-cycle. Good clean ethanol free gas with a little shot of Techron keeps it starting and running perfect. Run at 40:1 smokes a little more but I don't mind. Never had an issue with oil fouling.

My question is if I was to get a new 4-cycle machine with equivalent HP will I notice a loss in performance? Snowblowers need constant torque to chuck heavy snow and good horsepower to keep that torque going. Will a 4-cycle keep up? They have to be heavier which is a minus.

 

I have a Simplicity 24"..forget the model but if you want I can check tonight. BOught it 2 yrs ago and love it..spent about $800 if that helps. Not sure of the cycle off my head but it doesn't feel much different weightwise than my old one..

Came from an old Ariens 4HP which was a slug and never moved the stuff well. I have a small driveway so it's not even the size I have to clear that's an issue.

Mind you, look up how bad winter was in MA 2014-15. That's when I had this sucker. She never let me down or left me outside for long.

I take care of mine the same as you mentioned..Super Unleaded with stabilizer. I pulled it out of the shed last month and fired it on the first pull like it was just running the day before.