definitely 2-stage (the main rotating blower part, plus one that helps the snow up and out the chute) and electric start! most of them are made the same way, and most of them now are a 4-stroke so you don't premix the oil, just check that there is oil in the motor. Several folks I know have Hondas and swear by them, 2 have the "tracks" instead of wheels. I would think a 24" or a 26" wide machine would be comfortable for you to handle, if you had a big storm you'd have to go out mid-storm and do a clearing though. The smaller machines won't be able to handle what your big old beast did.

I believe mines an MTD about 15yrs old (was made here in Kitchener, but they're not any more), and its a 29". I find it wonderful, but it can get a bit heavy to turn, i tend to leave it in gear and let it turn for me. I have a fairly wide drive thats probably 60-65ft long, and It takes about 9 passes plus cleanup to do it all.