Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge I'm buying aTBA but I need your help.

I'd like to thank everyone who responded to my previous posting last Feb.
I've found an 04 TBA with just under 6k miles with a solo seat, summer screen and a seat rack. My problem is this, the dealer wants $5999. In your opinion(s) is this a fair price? I'm think it sound a touch high. Thanks to any and All responces

I would offer him 4500 and then see if you two can meet in the middle somewhere.

Soren

Sounds just a little high to me. I bet they didn't pay more than $3800 when they took it in. $4500 to $5000 would be about right unless there is something exceptional about it.

Book value is $5445. IMHO, and in my experience, accessories don't add that much...

$4,600 according to my banker (NADA).

Sounds a little high to me. But, you might want to think about it this way. With 6 K on it, it is still pretty darn near new for an engine that will get at least 50 K or more on it. Sometimes getting a good price is not as important as getting what you want. I'm sure that through the years I've not always gotten the best deals, but I always had a lot of fun with what I got!

If you like it and have the cash you could do much worse. I think it is a little high so offer less than he is asking and see what you can do, maybe ask him to throw some stuff in with it. In the end if it's what you want and have no plans to try and make money on it then do it. That bike should go 100,000+ from all that I have seen and heard if properly maintained so it is worth the money from that perspective. If resale value is the way you want to look at it I would offer $4500 and try and settle for less than $5500 with some sort of warrenty even if it's like 30 to 90 days to be sure everything is working right.

Where are you? I might consider looking elsewhere if he is really set on that price. A decently maintained TBA will give you LOTS of miles so if he doesn't move on the price you might consider a somewhat higher mileage bike elsewhere. I have an 03 that I've put almost 35,000 on and it's just properly broken in.

Don't let him keep the price up by him pushing all the extras.Just like a car with fancy wheels you can say you prefer the stock pieces.Oh yeah what about all the stock parts? I would like the stock parts also.NO? Well I will not give you what you are asking then,because I have to change a few items.Just a thought.Seems if they know you want it bad,they will not budge on the price(sales people).

Some things to think about....
Has all the scheduled maintenance been done? Should have had 2/3 oil and filter changes.
According to the schedule, the brake fluid should be changed every 2 years, the brake hoses are to be changed every 4 years... no mention of mileage on those, just time.
What are the brake pads like? The rotors? Chain and sprockets?
Any rips, tears, scratches? Rust on the bottom of the pipes? Stains where the pipes meet the headers? Rust on the wheels?
Tires ok?

All of these things are bargaining points. He wants top dollar, and if any of these need to be addressed, you will be spending even more money very soon. And if you don't do the work yourself, having a dealer do all of the above will put you right near the price of a new bike....

Antthing extra added to the bike after it left the factroy only holds value to the one who had it or put it on. I buy and sell bikes pretty regulary. I go based of the black book when selling them. I only offer cash for the wholesale amount. I bet you the store did not pay much more then that. And if they did then the added cost was put into the loan on the new bike. But also keep in mind that the store is there ot make money. Lets say I buy a bike for 3500, I will ask 5500, but not go below 4000.00 on the bike. No matter what. If the custoemr wount pay that amount, then I do not do business with them. I find I usualy sell somewhere in the middle.

I might add I usualy tack on 150 dollars ot the pirce for paper work, and tags. It cost me my time to stand in the line of the DMV and my time to do up the paper work. Taxes in my county are sent to the customers home by the county after the sale.