Price check: 2005 GS500F 2500mi

[tb0lt]

Price check: 2005 GS500F 2500mi

Body (metal n plastics) looks clean and well taken care of except for some minor scratches on the fairing and tail piece which, I'm pretty sure, will buff right out. . Engine, clutch and gearbox are all smooth as silk (he let me take it out for a spin  ). All stock.
My neighbor told me he hasn't been riding and he will sell it for the right price. Chain looks clean and waxed with no rust. Tires have plenty of life left and the brakes feel solid. It started right up and idled nicely.

What is the lowest lowball offer i can make and if that doesn't work, how high should i go? (Houston, TX)

Thanks guys....

PS: looks like this

[yurtinus]

You're looking at a damn near brand-new bike. It doesn't sound from your description that there's any evidence of it even being dropped. They list for what... 4300 these days (generally plus taxes, assembly, misc dealer bs). Definitely don't go over 4 grand, but maybe try offering 3? Season is winding down so you're likely to get a better price than if you were buying in the spring...

[JPFL8]

I got an 05 with 3800 miles for $2100, so I would definitely not offer over $3000...although I don't have much experience

[rger8]

Hey, I'll sell you my perfect 06 with 2800 miles on it for $2900. You just need to get to So. Calif, but look at the good side, you get to ride it back! Mines on the forum.

Good luck!

[elader]

My 2007 with 200 miles was $2600 in June. it had been dropped in the parking lot and the bar end and one turn signal was broken - they replaced the front signals with flush mounts and there was a small crack in the fairing by the hole.

$2500 is fair.

[sledge]

You cant put an exact price on a bike like this only a ballpark figure. You have to decide how much its worth to you and how much you are prepared to pay for it as a max.....then.....

a) Offer him 500 less and start haggling up......or                          
b) Ask him how much he wants for it, offer him 500 less and start haggling up.

Haggling is an aquired skill......He wants to sell and you want to buy so its a question of agreeing on a price you are both happy with. Assuming its in a condition you are prepared to accept, you as a buyer need to find fair and justifiable reasons to get him to drop his asking price. Be friendly with him and get him to want to sell it to you. Make it easy for him and tell him if you can agree on a price you will leave a deposit there and then and are prepared to pay for it in full as soon as you can in a way that suits him (remember not everyone wants cash).

Find out how much similar ones are going for in your area and if (only if) his price is higher than average show him some proof. Play on the fact that despite its condition its now 5 years old. Highlight the cosmetic damage and look for faults no matter how trivial, things squeaky brakes blown bulbs or a horn that doesnt work or no spare key. Ask him when it was last serviced and if he has any paperwork to confirm it. Check the tyres havent cracked or developed flat spots. Check the oil, if its low or dirty thats a negative point and worth money off, so is worn pads.

Ask him when the brake fluid was last changed, if the answer is never or dont know use it to knock 100 off.  

[jguarfn28]

I got a 2007 that had been dropped, wouldn't start but only had 715 miles on it for $2450 last Jan.  The fairing was glued back together.  So what... Today it has 4500 miles on it and other than a high idle when warm, runs great.  This was in ABQ, NM.  They are in the immortal words of "Bill Clinton" channeled through Will Farrell..."Bulletproof".  Great bikes.  Last Sunday, I took her up to the Jemez.  Lots of nice curvy roads, just watch out for the RV's.  Faceplanting into a trailer would suck major.....

[lanesplitter]

I just bought an 05 with 2200 miles on it for $2700.  It had a small scratch on the can and I put a new back tire on it because it was cracking at the rim.  That and a set of .90 springs made it perfect.  I saw an 09 in Alabama with similar mileage and a crack in the lower fairing for $2800.

[007brendan]

The blue book value for it RETAIL is $2550.
http://www.kbb.com/motorcycle/retail/2005/suzuki/gs500f/254430

I would usually never pay blue book retail, but then again, you normally don't see used GS's in immaculate condition.  They usually get dropped, or scratched, or have old tires and chains, etc.  If it really is in as good a condition as you say it is, I would use the Bluebook value as your top value.

[applecrew]

 

Crikey!

Sorry for the slight hijack... I saw the reference to Kelley Blue Book... and thought "what the hell" and plugged in my 2007... and got $3105 retail. Then I looked at the "mileage/condition" section... the expected cumulative mileage for a 2005 is 5130 miles.... Uh-oh.... I just passed 30,000 miles this morning... LOL. Would not even want to guess how much someone would want to haggle me down for THAT!

[rickster21]

I bought my 2005 in May of this year with 860 miles, garage kept, mint condition for $2,425 in Corpus Christi, TX.
I rented a U-Haul for $30 and hauled it home down to the RGV

[tb0lt]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Based on all your inputs, i take it that 2500-2900 is a good range for the condition and miles....

[redhawkdancing]

I would definitely say the market is at the low end of that range.  I got my 06 in Nov for $2600 with 19 miles on it. That was unusual back then, but not so much now.  Good Luck. Cash rules! 

[DreaDoll]

I just bought an '04 with 3K miles and looks like brand new for $2,000.