Buying Advice?

[Hokiev]

Buying in Manassas VA area

Check with MotoMember in Leesburg (they are going to be moving to a brand new building in Lovettsville but not sure if they have done that yet) and Virginia Power Motor Sports in Ruckersville for some fairly local to Manassas dealers for pricing. I found they not only provide great service but competitive pricing. Also consider having one delivered to your door purchasing from iMotorSports (sponsor on this site). Read other postings about purchasing from them. Very good reviews. You will good a great price from most dealers buying leftover 2017 and some still have 2016's if you don't have a real need for a 2018. Not a big difference in my opinion other than the new dash.

 

[Bob Denman]

While I agree with you in principle, Jack, I don't think this is very useful advice unless you explain how to do that.
How do you find out which dealer has properly trained and licensed techs?
How do you find out which tech that is?
How do you arrange to speak with that tech?
How do you ensure the service department assigns your Spyder to that tech?

It's actually pretty easy: go ask questions; see what certifications they have posted on the walls; let the Service Manager know what you want, why you want it... and then insist upon it! nojoke

 

[blacklightning]

Whle the money is important: the service after the sale is what'll make or break your Spyder experience. nojoke

Find the dealership that'll give the best service for your bike, and NEVER go anywhere else!
Happy shopping! :thumbup:

I totally disagree with the above. I purchased 2 new spyders and tried to get a deal with the locals, and no one was even close (3 local dealers). I purchased both of my bikes from out of state, and had them shipped. On the 2014, I saved $5500 (buying in September of 2014), and on the 2016, I saved over $5,000 (buying in April of 2017).
Now, I went back to the local dealerships and told them, they lost the sale, but they can earn the service. After talking to all 3, I chose one 20 miles away, and they treat me very well. Great prices, a percentage of whatever I purchase towards my next service, etc.. You just have to be upfront and let them know you want to deal local, but you are not a fool.

 

[jaherbst]

While I agree with you in principle, Jack, I don't think this is very useful advice unless you explain how to do that.
How do you find out which dealer has properly trained and licensed techs?
How do you find out which tech that is?
How do you arrange to speak with that tech?
How do you ensure the service department assigns your Spyder to that tech?

Simply ask questions and ask to speak to the tech/mech you decide will do your work. It's your money and you have a right to know. I do this with all my vehicles. Never

had anyone say no. If they did I would go elsewhere.

​Jack

 

[Big F]

I'm looking to buy a F3-T in the spring, and I could use some sage advice. Are motorcycle dealers like car dealers in the way they list "sticker prices" that no one pays? How much less should I expect to pay? Also seems that most Can Am dealers carry a lot of older new stock, 2016 models with 0 miles. And since I'm buying in 2018, what about 2017 models? How do I know what the "invoice price" is? Should I be expected to pay big $$ for their assembly fees?

Anyone buy an F3-T in the last few months (either 2016 or 2017 model)? Care to share your deal?

I assume I should buy from a local dealer to ensure a good service relationship? Or does that not matter? Are there any mega dealers that typically deal in more volume and offer better prices?

What about discounts on accessories at time of purchase (give or take a month)?

Thanks. BTW, I searched but didn't find much that was relevant.

I see you already have got a lot of comments on your questions!! and they are all correct for the most part. I live in the Omaha market where there are two Spyder dealers - one with reasonably OK service and the other terrible. However, both dealers are NOT good to deal with on a purchase. I have a pending trade of my 2014 RT Limited for a 2018 RT Limited and went 50 miles away to get the deal (same dealer I got the 2014 from). AND I'm talking about $3,500-$4,000 net differences!!! I even got a better net trade price from IMotorsports in Chicago than locally and they would deliver and pick up????? we all know there is a lot of margin in these overpriced Spyders so it is a buyer beware....... Good luck.
BIG F

 

[Big F]

I totally disagree with the above. I purchased 2 new spyders and tried to get a deal with the locals, and no one was even close (3 local dealers). I purchased both of my bikes from out of state, and had them shipped. On the 2014, I saved $5500 (buying in September of 2014), and on the 2016, I saved over $5,000 (buying in April of 2017).
Now, I went back to the local dealerships and told them, they lost the sale, but they can earn the service. After talking to all 3, I chose one 20 miles away, and they treat me very well. Great prices, a percentage of whatever I purchase towards my next service, etc.. You just have to be upfront and let them know you want to deal local, but you are not a fool.

VERY WELL SAID AND I AGREE WITH YOU 100% AS I HAVE DONE EXACTLY AS YOU!!!! My 4th Spyder is due at the dealership in January.. Happy holidays.
BIG F

 

[bushrat]

I would LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE to know how all you folks ( who believe the above ) ....KNEW the Dealer they bought from had a fantastic service dept..... This sage advice has been said 10's of thousands of times here ..... PLEASE tell the rest of us ....How - You knew who the Best SERVICING dealer was .....Thank you annnnnnnnnnd Merry Christmas ...... Mike :thumbup:

In my case, Mike, it was speaking personally with 7 or 8 local/area Spyder owners, most of whom warned me off one dealership and/or pointed me to two others, both recognized as being fair on prices and very good on service. One couple even approached me in the show room of the 'poorly rated' dealer and suggested I would do better elsewhere. I also spent two months reading everything I could on this site and the Ontario Spyder Riders site before I got into serious discussions with dealers. I studied the Spyder product history, learned about the different models and features, then did personal visits to 3 different shops in different areas, as well as checking Craigslist and dealer on-line sites across much of eastern N. America, both Canada and US, from Maine to IL, from Ont/Que. south to FL, and places in between. In short, I did as much 'homework' as I could, and probably far more than many others would do. It's not perfect, but I do try to find out as much as I can beforehand. And, like Jack, I also believe in trying to get behind the 'employees only' shop door and get to know the techs on a more personal/familiar basis. If one can manage to do it without becoming a nuisance, it does pay dividends. Most of the good ones take pride in their work, and are happy to share feedback with owner/customers; a kind word on their work often goes a long way, and even constructive criticism, if warranted, will usually be accepted and earn better results.

 

[pegasus1300]

While I agree with you in principle, Jack, I don't think this is very useful advice unless you explain how to do that.
How do you find out which dealer has properly trained and licensed techs?
How do you find out which tech that is?
How do you arrange to speak with that tech?
How do you ensure the service department assigns your Spyder to that tech?

1) Ask
2) Ask
3) Ask
4) Ask

Not trying to be a smartass here but you have to to ask and if you don't trust the answers why are you buying there to begin with?

 

[Tazzel]

Once you figure out what Model you want, start shopping around. I am lucky that I have 3 Spyder Dealers somewhat close to me. Once they know your serious you can bargain your way to a pretty good deal. You can also watch your local craigslist and can usually find next to new Spyders for sale. Like any motorcycle, people buy and then later find out it is not for them. Once you see what your local Dealers will do, go online, there are a few good online dealers out there that you can purchase and get delivered at better prices you can find locally. In this respect I have found that imotorsports has the best online prices with free shipping. In my area F3s are sold out and dealerships are waiting for new stock. Colorado has a pretty healthy Spyder interest and owners but not all states are like that so you maybe able to find some good deals on 2016 and 2017 in other states.

 

[cruisinTX]

If I had done better research on maintenance issues, difficulty in DIY, poor customer relations, price gouging by dealers, just to name a few; I would never have bought one. A machine of this type that cost in the $30K range should not have any problems and the manufacturer and dealers should be at your beck and call. Sadly, none of those things are true. But now that I pulled the trigger prematurely (on a gently used one//2014 RT limited with 6800 miles), I'm going to make the most of it and try to get along with my (wife's) Spyder.

 

[ARtraveler]

A few bad dealers have given the product a worse rep than it deserves. Just like the 1%'s of bikers kind of taints all.

 

[Don'tPanic]

If you're willing to make the trip...

I had a very good experience with my dealer. Bought my last year's model spyder for almost half the MSRP. It's one of the oldest Can-Am dealers in the country and is ran like a true family business. They know their stuff.

All their prices include dealer fee and prep. Take a look: https://smithmarineusa.com/Showroom/Non-Current-Inventory

 

[blacklightning]

I had a very good experience with my dealer. Bought my last year's model spyder for almost half the MSRP. It's one of the oldest Can-Am dealers in the country and is ran like a true family business. They know their stuff.

All their prices include dealer fee and prep. Take a look: https://smithmarineusa.com/Showroom/Non-Current-Inventory

Those prices are pretty good, but that is actually about what I paid in April to get my 2016 delivered from I-Motorsports. I am not normally the type of person to buy new (although 2 of my spyders were new), but they will be my go to dealership of choice.
I would prefer to buy local, but they just don't want to deal here.

 

[Little Blue]

Buying a Spyder

'Best Deal' you can make at purchase time. All good advice as listed above. I always buy NEW. Just my input. Little Blue :agree::agree::agree::agree:

 

[Wildrice]

In my case, Mike, it was speaking personally with 7 or 8 local/area Spyder owners, most of whom warned me off one dealership and/or pointed me to two others, criticism, if warranted, will usually be accepted and earn better results.

I totally agree---one will get more accurate info talking with other Spyder owners who personally have had work performed by the dealers.
As far a Certifications go---In my automotive shop experience a neighboring shop hired a young man who had all certifications to be a class A mechanic. Unfortunately he did better on exams than on the vehicles themselves. Anyone can sit & work thru a 2 week training class & get a passed cert--it's a good start toward evaluating the tech but nothing beats practical experience advice from other Spyder owners.
Darrell