VERY low mileage 2008 - Value?

[chenceza]

Hi everyone,

There is a gentleman nearby selling a 2008 with less than 700 miles. CL listed for $5999. Sounds like he used to ride a lot, but was in an accident with another bike recently that caused him not to want to ride anymore. 600 mile service not done yet. He says otherwise cosmetically perfect, never downed. He got it checked out by a reputable shop in the area and they said everything is fine.

What do you think would be a fair offer from me to him? Keep in mind I'm in California, and it's sunny for the next 6 months...apparently rides are more expensive out here.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

Thanks!

 

[CHEMIKER]

I'm horrible with this kind of stuff, so I always consult the interweb:

$4390 retail
$3015 trade-in

With 700 miles and pristine condition, as a buyer I might pay closer to the retail, but I'd have a hard time going above that.

Also, how long is left on the factory warranty? If it's expired, he can't expect you to pay a "new" price even if it is in awesome condition. Did he buy the extended YES warranty? Does it come with any extras like gear or mods?

Good luck!

 

[Lefty]

I'm horrible with this kind of stuff, so I always consult the interweb:

$4390 retail
$3015 trade-in

With 700 miles and pristine condition, as a buyer I might pay closer to the retail, but I'd have a hard time going above that.

Also, how long is left on the factory warranty? If it's expired, he can't expect you to pay a "new" price even if it is in awesome condition. Did he buy the extended YES warranty? Does it come with any extras like gear or mods?

Good luck!

I'm with Travis on this one. Personally I'd be o.k. paying $4300/4400 for it. Unfortunately the current owner probably sees it as his "brand new" bike and not a bike that's already 3 years old and has depreciated even though it's "like new". I think you should figure out what you're comfortable paying and make an offer. :thumbup: Just my .02

 

[armstrong89z]

Well I bought my 2008 from a guy for 4,000. It had 206 miles on it but that was also in March when it was 20 degrees in NY. I wouldn't go over the 4400 for the bike.

 

[Bates121]

Way too much for a used bike that's like sticker price for a new 09 from the dealer

 

[chenceza]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the quick replies.

The only add-on were frame sliders. He bought a 4-year extended warranty, good until July 2012. (so only about a year left). The 600 mile service hasn't been done yet (is that about $200-$300?)

He knows KBB value, but is keeping his price higher based on:
-new tires (only 700 miles)
-extended warranty
-what a local dealer suggested (which was not to sell too low)

As of now he is willing to go to $5K.

I am going to go see it tomorrow...any more thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lefty]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the quick replies.

The only add-on were frame sliders. He bought a 4-year extended warranty, good until July 2012. (so only about a year left). The 600 mile service hasn't been done yet (is that about $200-$300?)

He knows KBB value, but is keeping his price higher based on:
-new tires (only 700 miles)
-extended warranty
-what a local dealer suggested (which was not to sell too low)

As of now he is willing to go to $5K.

I am going to go see it tomorrow...any more thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance!

Well it's up to you but none of his reasons make sense to me.
-New tires? I'd replace those immediately since they're at least three years old even with the low miles, tires get old with age.
- Extended warranty? - Realistically you're getting a 12 month warranty which is o.k. but I don't know what would go wrong with so low miles.
- Dealer suggestion? - If I was a dealer I'd say the same thing, that way you'd be more apt to come see me and look at dealership prices.

I'm not trying to be a wet blanket I just know from experience that it may take some time for the right bike and deal to come along. It took me almost 4 months of looking until I found the right bike. It was tough to pass up some of bikes I looked at.

 

[CHEMIKER]

new tires (only 700 miles)

Not to completely tear this guy apart, but I don't get the new tires part either. Are there 700 miles on just the tires, or on the whole bike? Is he saying that he replaced the OEM tires at 0 miles, or is he just looking for more "selling points"?

 

[chenceza]

Sorry, was unclear on that.

He said because there are only 700 miles, the tires are new, and that I should get a good 5000 miles on them.

He mentioned it would take $600 or so to get new tires, so that's something to consider when I see other bikes for sale that have 4K+ miles on it.

 

[dxh24]

ALL factory ties are new :spank: i wouldn't even go look at the bike if it were me, i plan on getting one in the 3000-4000 range with a couple thousand miles on it, think about it, if it has 2k miles on it it isnt even broken in yet.... if it takes 3 grand off the price why not? I agree with the others... max i'd pay for that bike would be 4200 i think. Although like i said, i wouldn't even go look at it myself due to the guys unrealistic bike value idea. but hey, i'lll get there in time and you'll prolly see a few posts like this from me soon enough, start my job monday, hopeto have a bike in the driveway by end of june :thumbup: Let us know what you do though! :thumbup: and when you get something, PICS!!!!

Edit: not sure why he's got new tires for it, he shouldn't have worn the factory ones out in 700 miles unless he was say, beating on it and doing burnouts (both VERY bad when breaking in ANY vehicle)..... just something to consider, i'd get the whole story on the tire deal...

 

[The Dude]

Sorry, was unclear on that.

He said because there are only 700 miles, the tires are new, and that I should get a good 5000 miles on them.

He mentioned it would take $600 or so to get new tires, so that's something to consider when I see other bikes for sale that have 4K+ miles on it.

Tire life is dependent on the specific tire and how you ride. Many of us get a lot more than 5,000 mi out of a set of tires. And you should not be spending $600 for tires. Figure closer to half that, plus installation. The FZ6 uses the most common size tire for sport oriented bikes, so availability is good and specials can be had.

If they're OEM tires, my concern would be their age, not their wear. I know the rubber ages... but I couldn't give you a good answer as to tire shelf life. I ride 10-12K/yr, so I've never worried about that. Maybe someone else can chime in about the likelihood of dry rot after sitting so much, or how much longer those tires will be last (aside from wear) before needing to be replaced.

Sounds like the seller either doesn't know what he's talking about, or is blowing smoke. I guess that would explain the asking price.

 

[The Dude]

You post made me think of a similar bike in my area:
2007 Yamaha FZ6

Funny thing is, I remember seeing this exact same posting a year ago when I was in the market for my FZ6. It could be a scammer, but I suspect it's the same guy still trying to sell the bike at close to 50% above its value. Some people just refuse to accept that their vehicle is not worth what they believe it to be.

 

[dxh24]

I find it funny that a local dealer told him to sell it for 6k .....he prolly figures somone will come into his stealership and buy a new one before they buy a used one for that price :spank:

 

[Goop]

I just traded my '08 FZ6 with 30,654 miles on it, they gave me $3k for it. Not sure if this helps, but just a figure to throw out there.

 

[Jblk9695]

Walk away, the guy thinks he has more than he does and is out of touch with reality. You can probably get just as good a deal on a brand new FZ6 or find a much better deal on a used one with actual new tires (as far as age goes) and new tires can be had in the $200-300 range.
I'm with everyone else on this one, keep looking and you're sure to find a bike for a much better price:thumbup:

Jerry

 

[ohgood]

Sorry, was unclear on that.

He said because there are only 700 miles, the tires are new, and that I should get a good 5000 miles on them.

He mentioned it would take $600 or so to get new tires, so that's something to consider when I see other bikes for sale that have 4K+ miles on it.

nothing on that bike is 'new', or like 'new'. it's used. period. sure, it has very few miles, but there is no reason to trust that one more than a bike that has 35,000 miles on it. in fact, there is reason to DISTRUST that lower milage bike as it's unproven yet, and hasn't seen one single service. could have water in the oil for all you know.

now then, the owner is out and out lying to you about new tire prices. that alone i would walk on.

there are two kinds of people i loathe: liars and thieves

personally, i'd put that USED bike in the $3250 to $3500 range, with an owner that can call it used.

good luck !

 

[iSteve]

I think $5000 is a good price. If you don't think so walk away. They're not making them anymore and the left overs are drying up. Getting harder to find unmolested FZ6 with low miles and no scratches.

 

[chenceza]

Wow isteve...bold to come out and be the contrarian!

Thanks again everyone for the awesome feedback. I was going to go see it tomorrow, but I think I'm going to call and cancel. I might go see and get all emotional about it.

To me seems like if he will take 4500 for it I would be happy. Seems in Norcal there is nothing else around for that kind of price, unless pre-07.

 

[iSteve]

Well I feel you only live once if you want something, better to buy it then always think I should have. It's only money. My local dealer is still getting 6200 for 09's I bought my 08 a little over a year ago for $5100 I think it had 1800 miles and owned by a 62 year old guy with OCD.

If the FZ6 isn't that important you should be able to find SV 650 real cheap. Not as nice (IMO) as a FZ but a nice bike fun to ride and cheap.

 

[Evitzee]

Guys, let's settle down a bit and face reality and stop the trash talk. There is always a market for good used bikes with low miles and in perfect condition. Take a walk in any dealer today and look at their used bike selection, it sucks. You see either heavily modified bikes or crashed bikes, you see very few unmodified 'standards'. I just traded my 2009 FZ6 (one year newer than OP's bike) with 3,200 miles in perfect showroom conditon (not a mark on it) and the dealer wanted it for his used bike selection. He gave me $4,770 due to it's condition and said he'd put it on the lot for about $5,400, the KBB retail was only $5,050. He'd probably dicker on his price and end up selling it for the KBB price, but he knows his market better than I do.

All markets are local and Northern California is not the same as the Midwest or Northeast. I would suggest you go on CycleTrader.com and do a search for used 2008 FZ6's which will give you a feel for what the true value is. Then you can decide if the price is in the ballpark. Only the OP and the owner are in the equation, if the OP isn't happy with the price he can walk away. But don't dismiss the product out of hand without doing some research.

You can do the 600 mi service yourself, it's just changing oil and filter and looking over the bike for any 'problems', I would not take it to dealer for that but you may be able to use it as a bargaining chip to try to get the price down. And the tire issue is bogus, they are fine and don't need replacement because of their age.