Went to visit Roaddog's Spyder yesterday at H.D.

[Smylinacha]

Went to the Harley Store yesterday - it's not the one near us as the one near us is losing major business. I'd bet our house the local one closes w/in a year. Saw everyone who hangs out at the local one up at this dealership. Not too far - about 45 minutes away.

As for the old dealership, another dealership bought it, closed up theirs in Stamford and moved everyone from Stamford to Bridgeport - laid off all staff but two original workers and put the Stamford people in there. They laid off some really good people and they are not the friendly dealership they used to be.

Anyway, this other dealer (where Roaddog got his Triglide) was having a customer appreciation day so we went. Got there a little late so we missed the burgers and dogs. But I saw Roaddog's Spyder there! LOTS of people looking at it. And I heard they sold it like 5 times - major problem - nobody can get financing for it. I guess if you were to go to a credit union like it did you might have a better chance. I don't get it, why are these things so difficult to finance? When I was buying mine, I couldn't get financing back then - well I got one but it was a silly interest rate so I went to the credit union instead. I have spotless credit too.

Seems like they've always been tough on financing. Maybe if they went with another financing company you might see more people buying these things, besides the ones who are lucky enough to afford them outright.

[mvengineer]

QUOTE]
How is roaddog liking his new ride?? Thanks

[Smylinacha]

He loves it! Hopefully he'll post a ride report. Roaddog - where are ya? You up yet????

QUOTE]
How is roaddog liking his new ride?? Thanks

[Tom in NM]

Maybe if they went with another financing company you might see more people buying these things, besides the ones who are lucky enough to afford them outright.

. . . . . and I paid for my Spyder in ca$h.

Kim, luck can play a part in having the money in hand, but so can hard work and discipline. I'm retired and don't have any cash flow, except for the cash that is flowing out. I saved and live on a budget - just so I can afford things like a Spyder. I go without a lot of things that other people would not consider giving up - just like I would not give up my Spyder.

But, I agree with you, if financing was easier, a lot more Spyders would get sold. Though, in the big picture, that is probably not a good thing - as our recent 'lessons' on Consumer Debt Levels has shown.

Tom

[bone crusher]

. . . . . and I paid for my Spyder in ca$h.

Kim, luck can play a part in having the money in hand, but so can hard work and discipline. I'm retired and don't have any cash flow, except for the cash that is flowing out. I saved and live on a budget - just so I can afford things like a Spyder. I go without a lot of things that other people would not consider giving up - just like I would not give up my Spyder.

But, I agree with you, if financing was easier, a lot more Spyders would get sold. Though, in the big picture, that is probably not a good thing - as our recent 'lessons' on Consumer Debt Levels has shown.

Tom

I'm with ya...finance as little as possible...darn interest kills ya over time!

[j45p3r]

. . . . . and I paid for my Spyder in ca$h.

Kim, luck can play a part in having the money in hand, but so can hard work and discipline. I'm retired and don't have any cash flow, except for the cash that is flowing out. I saved and live on a budget - just so I can afford things like a Spyder. I go without a lot of things that other people would not consider giving up - just like I would not give up my Spyder.

But, I agree with you, if financing was easier, a lot more Spyders would get sold. Though, in the big picture, that is probably not a good thing - as our recent 'lessons' on Consumer Debt Levels has shown.

Tom

I'd rather not wait until retirement to enjoy things like the Spyder and that means my Spyder is financed.

[Tom in NM]

I'd rather not wait until retirement to enjoy things like the Spyder and that means my Spyder is financed.

. . . . I would have bought a Spyder in a heartbeat if I was still working - though I still would have paid cash for it.

Tom

[Firefly]

. . . . . and I paid for my Spyder in ca$h.

Kim, luck can play a part in having the money in hand, but so can hard work and discipline. I'm retired and don't have any cash flow, except for the cash that is flowing out. I saved and live on a budget - just so I can afford things like a Spyder. I go without a lot of things that other people would not consider giving up - just like I would not give up my Spyder.

But, I agree with you, if financing was easier, a lot more Spyders would get sold. Though, in the big picture, that is probably not a good thing - as our recent 'lessons' on Consumer Debt Levels has shown.

Tom

I paid cash for mine also and it wasn't luck--- I was fortunate enough to be able to sock away enough while I waited the 8 months for delivery. This was due to good budgeting and money management. The older I get, the less I want to be in debt.

I doubt the Spyder is any more difficult to finance than any other bike out there, with the possible exception of HD because they have their own financing. Maybe Honda does too?? I could have financed my Spyder through various sources and was even pressured by one to do so (State Farm Finance). I said thanks, but no thanks.

Considering the current status of our economy, it makes sense for financial lenders to crack down on people buying things that are essentially 'wants' not 'needs'.

[j45p3r]

I'm too addicted to toys to save up that kind of cash I guess. I do pretty well money wise, but as a 27 y/o single guy with a new house, nice truck, newish snowmobile, new ATV and now a new Spyder, saving money isn't easy. At least I own a couple of those toys, still paying on the other two.

[Tom in NM]

At least I own a couple of those toys, still paying on the other two.

Yeah, I never feel that I "own" it, if I am still paying for it.

Tom

[Smylinacha]

Yeah, we work hard, do all the right things. But I had to get financing on the Spyder. Glad I have a credit union that I can work with. Won't be long before they tighten that up too in this economy.

QUOTE=Tom in NM;182666]. . . . . and I paid for my Spyder in ca$h.

Kim, luck can play a part in having the money in hand, but so can hard work and discipline. I'm retired and don't have any cash flow, except for the cash that is flowing out. I saved and live on a budget - just so I can afford things like a Spyder. I go without a lot of things that other people would not consider giving up - just like I would not give up my Spyder.

But, I agree with you, if financing was easier, a lot more Spyders would get sold. Though, in the big picture, that is probably not a good thing - as our recent 'lessons' on Consumer Debt Levels has shown.

Tom[/QUOTE]

[Roaddog2]

He's really enjoying his new ride.....

Had a great ride today.
About the financing what they were telling me besides H-D credit they use a couple of other Finance Co.Not the person credit they just not intrested in the yet so if anyone who was intrested in it got the loan from a credit union or something it could be theres.The Road Glide I traded sold less than a week new owner Picks up this Sat.

[Roaddog2]

It's not that it's harder, the sales manager told me the potential buyers are not as qualified as most HD purchasers....(at least at that particular store)

A funny side note- Mike had a "Dragon 129" sticker on the cowl that he bought when we rode the Tail of the Dragon. The dealer called him shortly after he traded it to them, to ask what accessory is "a dragon"?

Harley riders........

This is true and now this guy Phil is pretty embarrassed

[Sopher]

Best thing I did a few years ago was setup a line of home equity credit.
"HELOC".
Big benifit is the interest is tax deductable.

[Dragonrider]

I live by the rule I taught my kids - always pay cash for toys & never expect to get a dime back.

That way, you set a "value" on your wants & choose the toy that meets your needs AND that you can afford. Perhaps you can't buy a new one - wait & buy a good used one… I had $XX to spend on my Spyder, and worked the dealers until I found one that fit my budget.

It was new, it had the extended warranty, it had a few farkles, but I had to get the SM - but I own it, and can adjust many ownership aspects - short on cash? carry liability insurance.. etc. That's worked for me for decades..

[PCBeachBum]

Went to the Harley Store yesterday - it's not the one near us as the one near us is losing major business. I'd bet our house the local one closes w/in a year. Saw everyone who hangs out at the local one up at this dealership. Not too far - about 45 minutes away.

As for the old dealership, another dealership bought it, closed up theirs in Stamford and moved everyone from Stamford to Bridgeport - laid off all staff but two original workers and put the Stamford people in there. They laid off some really good people and they are not the friendly dealership they used to be.

Anyway, this other dealer (where Roaddog got his Triglide) was having a customer appreciation day so we went. Got there a little late so we missed the burgers and dogs. But I saw Roaddog's Spyder there! LOTS of people looking at it. And I heard they sold it like 5 times - major problem - nobody can get financing for it. I guess if you were to go to a credit union like it did you might have a better chance. I don't get it, why are these things so difficult to finance? When I was buying mine, I couldn't get financing back then - well I got one but it was a silly interest rate so I went to the credit union instead. I have spotless credit too.

Seems like they've always been tough on financing. Maybe if they went with another financing company you might see more people buying these things, besides the ones who are lucky enough to afford them outright.

Smylinacha, my dealer went through Sheffield Financial in NC. They finance a lot of bikes and as long as your credit score is good, most won't have a problem. Its best to check your score before you go to finance anything, since banks are not lending and would rather give out high bonus's instead.

I could have put down a $1000. from my credit card and the limit most credit cards allow for a down payment is $2000.00.

I went to my credit union and they told me to pay off my truck first.