Need Estimate on 2012 RT SE5 Starter and Clutch Replacement

[solidgranite]

Hi. I'm looking at buying a 2012 Spyder RT SE5. The trike is in Texas, and I'm in NC, so I can't easily inspect it or take it to a local dealer for inspection/evaluation. The machine needs a NEW STARTER and a NEW CLUTCH (or clutch rebuild). I've called several local (NC/VA) Can Am shops, but they won't give me an estimate to replace those parts...not even a "wild guess-timate". Can anyone tell me the approximate cost for replacing a starter and a clutch at a Can Am dealer? I need some idea of the cost so I can add it to the purchase price to get my "real cost" of this Spyder. I'd love to buy the Spyder, have it shipped up to me, and then trailer it to the repair ship, but I've got to have some idea of the repair costs before I commit to buying it. Any information on this would be greatly appreciated!

 

[billybovine]

Starter is $550 + labour $500 + risk and incidentals $500 = $1,550 + local sales tax.

Clutch disc kit is $650 + possible other components needed $1,000 + labour $1,000 = $2,600 + local sales tax.

That is just a wild guess.

 

[Tazzel]

Might still be under warranty if they purchased or was given an extended warranty. Personally I would have seller take it to a Can Am dealer and get a true estimate and have the Spyder totally checked out. Unless your getting a killer deal then I would move on.

 

[Chupaca]

Gotta say...

Though my opinion only, I would not start out with a machine needing work done in another state needing to be shipped etc. There are too many out there you can ryde home unless they are giving it away. Not knowing what is needed it is hard to estimate and do check shipping costs you may find it will all add up to a rather expensive unit...jmo Cheapcycleparts will give you a break down on parts and prices and your shop or shop manual will give you time needed to do the work time the shop rate. I would estimate the max....:spyder:

 

[billybovine]

I agree with Chupaca in that I would not even be bothered with it. But I have a formula for buying used things with moving parts. Whatever I estimate to fix what's broke and return it to stock. Double it and subtract it from the good condition value. So in your case I would guess the good condition value of a used 2012 RT SE5 $11,000. That is just a guess of the US value on my part. $4,000 to fix. Doubled $8,000. $11,000 - $8,000 = $3,000 I would be willing to pay. Any more is just not worth the effort and risk.

 

[solidgranite]

Thanks! Much Appreciated!

Thanks very much for the repair estimates and advice of the RT SE5. I'm looking at a purchase price around $6000, and shipping costs around $500. Its not the "deal of the century", but its waaaaay lower than comparable models listed on eBay. If I spent an additional $4500-4600 on repairs, I'd still be at or under NADA retail price for this trike. I know its a risk...a big risk, but the Seller won't take it to a dealer for inspection or repair because his local dealer demands $195 just to look at it.

If I buy this trike, I plan to take some fairly long trips on it...some may be over 1500 miles round trip. So I want to make sure that whatever Spyder RT I buy is in good mechanical condition. I don't want to be stranded out on the Blueridge Parkway or halfway up the coast of Maine. The RT seems like the best model for long distance touring, and anything older than 2011 or 2012 increases the risk of breakdown or failure.

Where's the best place to look for a reasonably priced RT (SM5 or SE5 doesn't matter)? I'm in northeast NC, not far from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Suggestions are much appreciated!

 

[pegasus1300]

Consider the $195 an insurance policy against getting stuck. It's cheaper then buying and finding out it needs a lot more then just a starter and a clutch. yes the initial cost may be cheaper then Ebay or Craigslist or your local dealer but you have no idea, and neither does anybody else, what the final costs or going to be. My bet says way more then buying a good running local bike. And you might want to ask yourself why nobody local is jumping on this "good deal"

 

[ARtraveler]

A red flag or two pops up for me. Why can't the owner have the :ani29: repaired under warranty if it still exists?

I would not purchase a :spyder2: with known mechanical issues that I could not inspect personally. Do the issues known comprise a full disclosure? Also, no guarantee that the local dealer will not botch the job. What's your recourse to that?

There are a lot of :ani29::spyder2: for sale, all over, I would recommend finding one that fits better criteria and that you can do the proper due diligence.

Let us know what happens. :yes:

 

[fjray]

I'll sell you my 2015 with 5 years of warranty left and you can ship it or ride it home