Are lawnmowers built worse than 20 years ago?

I just gave away one of the real old "zero turn" snappers. It had a 8 HP Briggs engine and ran fine when I parked it several years ago. Replaced it with a Cub Cadet 5' zero turn (skid steer) which has a nasty habit of eating the main drive belt. Had gone through two clutches (warranty) until I discovered that the main drive pulley in front was loose on the shaft (they don't use a keyway) which caused heat that failed the clutches. 26HP Kawasaki engine runs Ok but needs starting fluid on the first start, probably the fuel pump but who knows. I mow a bunch of acres with it - grass airstrip and big yard.

Why do they put the cup holder on the discharge side of riding mowers? Makes it useless.