Is this a good deal? I found a 2002 Prairie 650 with 69 (that's right, 69) miles on it, seller is asking $5500, but I have gotten him down to $5,000. What do you think? Is there anything specific I should ask?

 

I would give him no more than low retail which is about 4300

 

If it looks like new(which it should with only 69 miles) and it still is under warranty, then $5000 is a fair price. $4300 would better but not realistic.

 

Warranty ran out in October. How much should I take off for that?

 

If it only has 69 miles on it then its really up to you and how much you want it . Now i have seen 03 models for 5000 , even the dealers were selling them for 5500 when the 700's were on the showroom floor. I paid 5600 for mine in august of 02. so it being 2 years old its value is still going to be close to 4300 no matter how good condition its in. Id give him 4800 4850 tops. only becouse of its condition.Good luckBrent

 

I still believe it's worth $4750-$4800. And yes the condition does matter. I have a 02 650cc bought new in 09/03. It would have "Never" been bought it for $4300(low retail). I do know a dealer who has 3 650's for $4183 each 1200-2600miles plastics are worn and cracked, bumpers were bent, seats had small holes, so yes these were low retail machines.

 

Is this a better deal - 2003 Prairie 650, brand new with warranty - $5899 + $95 doc fee + sales tax. $6406 out the door.

 

Do you trust the guy? Who rode it? How old was he? Check the hours, see if he just putted around his yard. Did he keep it in out of the weather? Did he run it in the mud and get water in it and not take care of it? Why is he selling it?

If he answers right to these and similar questions, take it out and ride the hell out of it. If all is well, give him the money. Whats $100 - $200 if you like it, when you're going to spend a lot more than that just getting to fun places to use it. You buy a bike, you're just starting to spend money.

(Also, no sales tax is big)

 

I believe your dealer could do a little better than that. $6000 OTD would be good. If you can "wait" look around for a few weeks you can probably find a great almost new, under warranty, for around $5000.

 

Find a good dealer first, then buy the bike. The warranty is only as good as the dealer. That's the theme on all these forums.

If you can keep your first bike cost down (used bike), you can better option new in the next year or two. A dealer told me today that he keeps hearing fuel injection for the 05's.

Personally, I'm sticking with my '02P, a heck of a bike, until something real significant happens with the Prairies.

Good luck.