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Nuthin's movin! Classic cars, bikes, boats, rv's. I see a lot of muscle cars for sale. Everybody still thinks they have a gold mine on 4 wheels. Those days are over. For now anyway. Most cars I see have been for sale for around 6 months or so. Years back, the price would never drop.Now that everybody is scared about the recession, prices are dropping.Sellers are scared so they're dropping their asking price. Buyers are scared to. Nobody wants to part with their cash in this crazy climate.Christ, layoffs are everywhere, people are losing their homes and selling their toys just to make ends meet. Hang in there, you'll get whatever bike you want for the price you are more comfortable with. Moco dealers will wake up soon. The dealer near me still has 06's!
Gary D.
Scratch, I agree Louisiana hasn't suffered much yet, but I was addressing those who live elsewhere.....Louisiana never experienced the boom of the last 5-10 years either....There was growth, but not like the bubble in many other parts of the country.
But a point to consider....in my area we have 5 new subdivisions being constructed...and they are all offering new homes for RENT cause they can't sell them.
"HD is cutting production so if you don't buy now you'll probably miss out this year"
Believe it. Read Harley's business plan just released for yourself. They are going to cut production in '08. You are gonna have to pay to play.
He's right. HD's philosophy is that they want to be "the elite." They will cut production before they lower prices too far.
Part of what makes HD attractive to buyersis the resale value. If you drop the price and keep production high... the market floods and the value decreases.
They aren't willing to risk that. Long term they will be fine. They will accomodate a few bad years in order to keep the value of the brand high.
By the way... we are a looooong way from depression. Recession.... maybe. Depression....no way. Stop watching CNN & MSNBC.
You can get a good deal... but they won't be giving them away. MSRP -500, plus some accessories and service is about as good as you are going to get. Don't pay that freight and set-up crap. Walk in ready to make a deal and they will make one. You can get 1k below... but not with a lot of extras.
Don't worry, the Government will pass a bill and miraculously fix the economy. They'll pass out checks to everyone whether you work or not.....to "stimulate" the economy. They'll even fix Harleys possible demise. Trust the Government....they own everybody anyway.
i was just at a dealer by me, the one with 35% off saturdays. they have red tag sales with 1500.00 off. the dealer i bought my 07 gives either 250 or 500 in harley $ plus 5k maintenance and 5yr warranty with purchase. i also read in Thunder Press of a dealer giving employee discount pricing, though i am sceptical of that one. deals are out there but you have to look. another dealer near by gives nothing and that's why i dont buy from them anymore.
From: In the Pacific Northwest, a few hours east of Seattle.
RE: If HD sales are down
There IS another option, dude.
I bought a bike that was about a year and a half old. It had 623 miles on it. It was in likenew condition. The owner had purchased it with numerous add-ons and chrome for approximately $24,500. He'd put the 623 miles on it during the first three or four months.He never rode it again. A year and a half went by and he was eager togetout from underthe note. The bike had been listed for 8-9 months with no bites.
I got it at an excellent price.
There are more guys out there like that than you might imagine. They think its going to be one thing, and find out its another.
If you can Try Cash.
You decide how much you want to pay for the bike you want. Go to the dealership and ask to see the owner. If you can't get to the owner then see someone as high up as you can. Do not start with the salesman as you want to eliminate his commission. That alone will save you money.
Tell the person that you see that you have cash and want that bike right over there. Let him sneak a peek at the big fat envelope in you jacket pocket.
You will be taken into the office for a sit down. If you are a good negotiator you will walk away with a great deal.
Tell him you don't care how he writes the deal on the bill of saleso he can avoid taxes.
If this does not work at one dealership go to another.
You will eventually meet up with someone who will want theCASHin his pocket.
Times are tight and getting tighter, but HD dealers see their product as something so special thatit is recession proof.
Times will have to be this tight for a longer period before you see much taken off the MSRP.
My local dealer has 140 new bikes in stock, including 06's. They are not offering any special deals, but they have started putting tags on the bikes listing the price, which they had refused to do just 6 months ago. You had to talk to a salesperson to get a price.
Good deals are to be had on new bikes, but only if your willing to wait six months.
Motivation is what moves product, no matter what industry. Find the one that is motivated, This year the motivation will be with used bikes and owners looking for solvency.
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Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.