Buy now or later? - Ducati.ms

ItalianRider · Oct 19th, 2011, 6:32 pm

I live in New Jersey and winter is coming ... I currently have a Ninja 250 ... but (as I mentioned in another post) I'm looking at the Monster and I'm pretty much sold on it in fact. To be honest I know that that's the bike I want at this point. So now the only decision I have to make is when to buy it. All things being equal I'd buy it tomorrow. I have no reason to.

Except winter. I have never gone through a winter with a bike. And at this point point the only thing that is holding me back is that I don't know if now would be the right time to buy it. Now or spring. The fact is that I sense that dealers (I want to buy new) are desperate to make a sale. A sales guy offered me a brand new Ninja 650R for 6000 ... 1k less than MSRP. The Duc guys tell me that they don't have leeway with Ducati to go under MSRP.
In other words, this feels like it's a buyer's time (lots for sale not a lot of people buying bike with winter coming) and spring ... things will turn the other way. Everybody looking for a bike and sales people not really willing to work on it.
But then, there's a reason why people would buy in spring and not fall: winter is coming.
Any opinions? buy now or wait for spring?

SMotU · Oct 29th, 2011, 1:15 pm

My (admittedly unscientific) observations lead me to believe the December is the time when the dealers are most willing to work a deal for you. For one, after the international motorcycle show in Milan next week where a lot of new bikes will be unveiled, people will be drooling over the latest models. Dealers will need to move the 2011 left-overs (which are every bit as awesome as they ever were, just not the latest thing anymore). Also, people just don't tend to buy bikes when it's snowing, so they have fewer customers then. The only downside is that you might not get pick of the litter since, by definition, you're selecting from what the dealer has left.

The other thing is that a salesperson is always going to say he can't make this deal or that. If he says that he doesn't have any wiggle room on the price of the bike, start negotiating on all the fees that they try to tack on (doc fee, set-up fee, etc.). A friend of mine just bought a 796, and they sold it to her for MSRP with none of those fees. Also, they can always cut a deal on gear and accessories. Truth is, they can always come down on the price. I'm not saying that the dealer doesn't deserve a fair price. They work for their money, too. You just don't want them to get more than their fair share.

Good luck with your new bike. Monsters are a ton of fun.

Cheers!
Steve

D2M · Oct 29th, 2011, 3:40 pm

definitely buy now, you will pay a lot more in the spring...

zvez · Oct 29th, 2011, 3:47 pm

If you're set on a monster, you could certainly buy now as it's unlikely anything radical on the horizon for next year's monster that would make you say "I shoulda waited".

Since dealers are paying floor plan money for the bikes they have, it'd stand to reason, they'd love to move it before Jan 1. Up north now the reasons you cite for not buying a bike are the same ones everyone else up there is saying right now.

So if you find the bike you like, start negotiating and see what you can do. When you buy the bike just be sure to put stabil in the gas tank and plug it up to a battery tender and you'll be good to go.

Chris

Desmo_Demon · Oct 29th, 2011, 4:23 pm

Buy a discounted 2011 model between now and February 1st. With 2012 models hitting the showroom floors, there is more motivation to unload last year's model. You want to buy prior to February because that is when people start getting tax refunds. Also, the first good, sunny, 60+ degree day in the spring makes the prices a little more inflexible. Lastly, purchasing on a rainy day seems to help, too....especially close to the end of the day....and on the last day of the month.

sofadriver · Oct 30th, 2011, 1:36 am

Assuming it's new.......
If you are paying cash buy it now. You'll have all winter to spend your dough on farkles and sit in the garage making vroom-vroom noises with your helmet on.

-or-

If financing - wait. You can save up your cash and let the dealer keep it all cozy and warm for the winter. No insurance or tabs to pay for. You can still visit during business hours.

Oh what the hell - just go buy it

ItalianRider · Oct 30th, 2011, 9:25 am

Thank you all for your responses.

I decided to wait, get through winter and spring, save up more money AND go for the 1100 sometime next year.

For only 2k more I might just as well go for the top of the line beast ...

MTScott2 · Oct 30th, 2011, 9:44 am

You will save on insurance by waiting and the warantee will be a few months longer too...

I hear that there is going to be a Price increase of 15% , or wait is that a decrease of 15%???

ItalianRider · Oct 30th, 2011, 9:50 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTScott2

You will save on insurance by waiting and the warantee will be a few months longer too...

I hear that there is going to be a Price increase of 15% , or wait is that a decrease of 15%???

LOL I seriously doubt that Ducati will decrease the price of ANYTHING ...

Regardless if you buy a Ducati you accept the fact that money is no object.

I'll buy a Monster no matter what ...

flynbulldog · Oct 30th, 2011, 7:02 pm

And take this into account - the guy that told you that he has no leeway with Ducati in regards to price - is lying to you.

Do you want to buy from a dealer or sales guy who lies to you?