I'm thinking about buying a scooter, can somebody answer some questions for me?

Question

Might sell my car and get a Honda PCX. I'm doing some research, and I just want to know:

1- How often does oil need to be added to keep a four-stroke 125cc engine from seizing up?
2- What kind of APR can I expect to get with new/short credit history (Like, 3 months) and about $1500-$2000 down on a $3399 scooter? If need be, I think I can manage to put more down.
3- How much do they usually run in upkeep (Maintenance, parts, etc) with about 350-400 miles being put on each month?

8675309 · Accepted Answer

1 - oil needs to be added as needed. oil is cheap and easy to check and add. i am not familiar with the service intervals of this particular scooter so far as oil changes are concerned, but most scooters of this size cc will have them done every 1500 to 2500 miles, respectively. this should also be inexpensive, and on most scooters is a "do it yourself" job done with some inexpensive tools. heck i do my own and am not mechanically inclined at all. it should be just as simple on a PCX if Honda has good sense. otherwise, the cost at a dealer should be minimal

2- motorbike interest rates tend to run higher for all except those with top tier credit. if you have a low score expect anywhere from 12.99% and up. just how far up, who knows?

3 - scooters are usually inexpensive to maintain, especially during the warranty period. a reliable brand even less so. i am not familiar with the Honda brand or dealer rates, but most scooter places charge between $65 to $80 an hour for labor, plus parts. overall servicing and repairing a scooter is less expensive then a car, but service intervals are more frequent. but again, changing things like engine oil, gear oil, spark plugs, filters, and the transmission belt (basic maintenance, in other words) are things you can learn to do even on the internet. as said, i am not mechanically inclined or particularly confident about such things, but even i can do it. if this Honda is just as simple as most scooters, you should be able to also. or servicing at a dealer or other qualified shop should not be terribly expensive.  and don't be afraid to ask the dealer "how often and how much is servicing." and  if they try to sell you a service contact ask about what is left out as much about what it includes

so far as those extra fees, don't pay them. or at least most of them.  if you are financing and have new / bad credit the dealer will try to stick it to you, as they have the upper hand. but stick to your guns. its a buyers market even with Honda, so offer MSRP+tax+ license and walk away. leave your number and tell them to call you when they are ready take your offer. if you need gear, offer to buy some from them if reasonably priced, and remind them they will also get your servicing and repair business. but do not pay outrageous freight, document, and prep fees. period. they need to sell scooters and you're the customer. you're doing them a favor, not the other way around

great alternatives with better warranties and great reliability at a better price and discounts at this time of year:

SYM HD125. its an especially strong 125cc that will go nearly 70mph and priced at $2,700. you can probably get it for that much, or less, "out the door"

http://www.sym-usa.com/line%20up/hd125/line_up_hd125.html

and the SYM HD200. freeway legal, 170cc, and can be found at incredible deals right now. some are getting these for $3,000 or MSRP "out the door"

http://www.sym-usa.com/line%20up/hd200/line_up_hd200.html

thats one of the best scooters in its class and compares more then favorably with the much more expensive Honda SH150. everyone who owns one loves it. 

if you have a SYM dealer nearby i suggest you at least check 'em out and if interested make a LOW offer. you may be surprised at what you can get for $2,500 give or take, total price

SYM does not have the dealer network of Kymco, however. so you may have a Kymco dealer around, if not a SYM. 

check out the People 150

http://www.kymcousa.com/showroom/scooters/people150/index.html

People S200

http://www.kymcousa.com/showroom/scooters/peopleS200/index.html

Yager 200i

http://www.kymcousa.com/showroom/scooters/yager200i/index.html

and perhaps a discounted People 250

http://www.kymcousa.com/showroom/scooters/peopleS250/index.html


even if not interested in these scooters you can make the Honda dealer sweat a little by mentioning them, as it will force them to deal. also, Kymco works freight and dealer prep into the price of their scooters already, so even if the dealer is asking more then MSRP you can make a low(er) offer they may gladly accept. or you can tell Honda "why would i pay $4,400 for a marked up PCX when i can get a Kymco People 250 for less money and a better warranty?"  its been a terrible year for scooter sales, and dealers are blowing them out right now. 

yeah, who has the upper hand now! lol

good luck, hope you get the scooter you want at a price you can live with :)

Deckard2020 · Answer

shop around a bit. The PCX is $3600. There are a lot of good used vulcan 500s and vstar 650s for the same price.

Anonymous · Answer

Not sure about the particulars, but I bought mine on this site and have been really happy with it. It is informative and lists scooters for sale in most major cities, and has a section for replacement parts. 
http://scooters-sale-usa.com/

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I'm thinking about buying a scooter, can somebody answer some questions for me?

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