Private Party vs. Stealership

[The_Majestq]

Hi Guys,

Got my funds ready for a Busa (Finally!) now, I'm caught between a rock and a hard place..... Should I go with a Dealer/stealership or a private party? I'm looking to buy used either way, and of course the better deal is going hold heavy weight on my decision, but has anyone had any/better luck with either choice??? Much help is appreciated...

Thanks..

 

[dudewizr]

with some of the factory incentives right now, why buy used?

 

[Nijinsky3]

BUY NEW!!!

If you must go used, try a private party...dealers will screw you like they screwed the dummy who traded in the bike in the first place. dealers typically buy cars for $3000 or more LESS THAN low blue book. They also often get them at auctions, so there is no way of knowing the history of the vehicle. Not to mention auctions are full of repo's (read: probably not taken care of well since they couldn't make the payments) and police impounds (read: probably taken from a guy who ran from them = abused!) I am sure it is the same with bikes.

Atleast with a private party you can see whatever records they have on the bike/vehicle and hear it run, maybe even follow them as they ride it so you can see it and hear it shift, etc.

If you do go with a private party, ask them if they would let you take it to a mechanic to be checked out. They may want to take it themselves, but the two of you should agree on a mechanic. Maybe a local dealership shop. Also ask them for phone numbers of anyone who has worked on it so you can call those shops and see if the bike has ever been brought in with things needing to be fixed that may have been the result of abuse (blown fork seals, etc).

Also, try to get about 10-15 other riders to go with you...nothing like a little intimidation!

Besides, 10-15 pairs of eyes will not miss something that one pair may!

Good luck!

 

[FJRider]

I suggest buying new. You might save $2K buying used, but could be buying a bucket of headaches that might end up costing you well over $2K to get right - not to mention your time. To me, unless you know the previous owner well and how the bike was taken care of, buying a used Busa can be like buying a used Corvette - you can almost bet it's been driven good and hard. (Who buys a Busa and drives it like a 250cc scooter?)

Here's my suggestion; order your Busa from Calmes Suzuki in Louisana (www.buyoutofstate.com), and have it shipped right to your front door in a crate. You'll save $$$, don't have to worry about stealership untrained techs messing with (or test driving) your new machine, and finally, it's kinda fun to put your baby together yourself. It takes about 1 hour to uncrate it, install the windscreen, handles, battery, and mirrors - then just put gas in it and ride away! Full 1 year warranty too. My .02.

 

[Wag]

One word: Extendedwarranties!

--Wag--

 

[greeneinc]

I too suggest new because there are alot of badly beat bikes out there are passed off as good. If you do come across a used bike be careful. Very Careful!!

 

[Mr Brown]

You can find a good clean used bike if you look. Be cautious, I would buy one from a member here if I were you, unless you knowsomeone in real life that's selling one. Just cuz the bike has been run hard doesn't mean that it has been abused, do your homework and save some cash.

 

[The_Majestq]

You can find a good clean used bike if you look. Be cautious, I would buy one from a member here if I were you, unless you knowsomeone in real life that's selling one. Just cuz the bike has been run hard doesn't mean that it has been abused, do your homework and save some cash.

I agree with finding someone from this site to purchase a bike from, but unfortunately, everyone is a country away from me. I found a few that I am interested in, and I'll be checking one out in a bit with my buddy "busahaya".... he's a bit more knowledgable on Busa's than myself... but that will soon change...

 

[pure_ego]

there isn't anybody selling a busa in the greater los angelos area?

you gotta be kidding me...

 

[busahaya]

there isn't anybody selling a busa in the greater los angelos area?

you gotta be kidding me...

 

[The_Majestq]

there isn't anybody selling a busa in the greater los angelos area?

you gotta be kidding me...

Nope, not on here.... Check the "For Sale" section.... PM me if you see anything...

 

[grabntwist]

Well, the easiest answer would be don't be in a rush and go with where you find the better deal. Be sure to look for signs of abuse.

 

[The_Majestq]

Well, the easiest answer would be don't be in a rush and go with where you find the better deal. Be sure to look for signs of abuse.

Exactly, I'm giving myself at least a few weeks to comb through various ads and bikes. I have one lead thus far that I'm going to follow up on today.

When it all boils down to it we're @ the mercy of whomever we purchase anything from. The only real security that we have when purchasing from a dealer is the fact of having a paper trail and the law on our side is possibly scammed. But who knows if the bikes were assembled correctly etc....

Trust in God and all things are possible....

 

[MN72Busa]

you can get some good deals from a dealer if you dont go in there acting like your $$$ is burning a hole in your pocket. Picked up my 05 LE from the dealer for 10K....tax, title, license, prep, service fees, included...not bad for a new bike.

One thing nice about used, is most guys have added a few mods, which could save you some coin if thats what your planning to do to the Busa.

 

[frisbee]

New!

 

[POR15 dist]

I must be lucky because I bought one from a member with only pics to look at. It was shipped from Maine to Mississisppi and I am really happy with it. It's an '03 LE which is my favorite busa color. If you are not picky about color, I will bet it only takes you a few weeks to find one. There is a very clean '03 here for sale for 7,900.00 with 3000 miles on it. Black and silver.

 

[Mr Brown]

You can find a good clean used bike if you look. Be cautious, I would buy one from a member here if I were you, unless you knowsomeone in real life that's selling one. Just cuz the bike has been run hard doesn't mean that it has been abused, do your homework and save some cash.

I agree with finding someone from this site to purchase a bike from, but unfortunately, everyone is a country away from me. I found a few that I am interested in, and I'll be checking one out in a bit with my buddy "busahaya".... he's a bit more knowledgable on Busa's than myself... but that will soon change...

Just look around the site, strike a deal with a trusted member, and then worry about shipping. I will guarantee that if you want to go look at a bike that's far away, even drive a truck to go get it, you will find members all over the country willing to help you out with a home cooked meal and a thermos of coffee if nothing else. If you got a decent co-driver, you can make it from LA to the midwest and back in a long weekend........
Or fly in, look at the bike, make the deal and have it shipped back, prolly won't cost you much more than $500. Hate to see ya get ripped off or waste money.
Always remember, if it seems to good to be true, (Busa for $4k) it prolly is.

 

[The_Majestq]

You can find a good clean used bike if you look. Be cautious, I would buy one from a member here if I were you, unless you knowsomeone in real life that's selling one. Just cuz the bike has been run hard doesn't mean that it has been abused, do your homework and save some cash.

I agree with finding someone from this site to purchase a bike from, but unfortunately, everyone is a country away from me. I found a few that I am interested in, and I'll be checking one out in a bit with my buddy "busahaya".... he's a bit more knowledgable on Busa's than myself... but that will soon change...

Just look around the site, strike a deal with a trusted member, and then worry about shipping. I will guarantee that if you want to go look at a bike that's far away, even drive a truck to go get it, you will find members all over the country willing to help you out with a home cooked meal and a thermos of coffee if nothing else. If you got a decent co-driver, you can make it from LA to the midwest and back in a long weekend........
Or fly in, look at the bike, make the deal and have it shipped back, prolly won't cost you much more than $500. Hate to see ya get ripped off or waste money.
Always remember, if it seems to good to be true, (Busa for $4k) it prolly is.

Thanks Mr Brown, I checked a shipper's rate for a move from Portland Oregon, down here to Los Angeles, and they are looking to charge close to 2 grand. For that price, I can just pick one up locally.

One thing that I am having a slight issue with, is finding a private party that is willing to accept a check. A bank/loan check @ that.

I am not going to make a purchase like that with cash, just in case the unmentionable happens, I have a papertrail to back me up in court....

And the terms of my loan agreement state that the they (the bank) must have a copy of the seller's driver's license, have the bill of sale notarized and so forth. The bank wants to make sure that the purchase is legit, and from what I've experienced lately, no one is willing to give up that info.

I may simply make the purchase from the dealer, used or not... At least I can miss the hassle and not run into too many potential scams/headaches... and of course, I'll have someone to sue in case something goes foul... I love Los Angeles!!!!

 

[Aughtsix]

-- I am not going to make a purchase like that with cash, just in case the unmentionable happens, I have a papertrail to back me up in court....

-- I may simply make the purchase from the dealer, used or not... At least I can miss the hassle and not run into too many potential scams/headaches... and of course, I'll have someone to sue in case something goes foul...

You do realize, don't you, that the cost of suing a business would more than likely begin at around six or seven grand and could very easily skyrocket from there...

Just, in case you weren't aware.

 

[shenoyp]

Buy a new bike... IMO it saves you lots of trouble!!

A couple of thousand more dollars, worth the peace of mind