Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I am thinking about trading a 2001 Plymouth Neon in on a bike. I don't feel like going through the hassle of selling it. Generally speaking, will a dealer take a car as a trade in on a new or used bike?

Thanks!

Ok, my first reaction was to laugh at the prospect. I think a bike dealer will act the same.

Sell your car, get your finances in a row, then go from there. What's a bike dealer going to do with your car?


Also, if the bike will be your only transpo, think long and hard about all your daily tasks that would normally get done with the car. It changes things quite a bit.

I sold cars for quite some time and have taken many a motorcycle in trade on a car. I was wondering if a bike dealer would do the same. Obviously not.

My finances are fine. I can buy the bike in cash and still keep the car, I would just prefer not to. I am moving, and due to circumstances cannot take a second car with me. I can, however, take a motorcycle, and since taxes etc. are cheaper here than in CA (among other consideratoins), I was seriously considering buying my bike here. Also, I have several friends who ride who can help me learn and make sure the bike I choose is in good shape. Quite simply, they have experience that I do not. I don't know anyone in CA who rides and have never been the best at making new friends.

Thanks for the reply! I now know to just keep trying to sell the damned car!

Shorts wrote:Ok, my first reaction was to laugh at the prospect. I think a bike dealer will act the same.

Sell your car, get your finances in a row, then go from there. What's a bike dealer going to do with your car?


Also, if the bike will be your only transpo, think long and hard about all your daily tasks that would normally get done with the car. It changes things quite a bit.

By the way, if I would not have asked the question, how would I have known? This is a beginner forum, is it not? If I am not mistaken, these forums are set up to be helpful, not for mean-spirited advice. I thank you for the answer, but wish that you would remember the purpose of the forums.

Shorts wrote:Ok, my first reaction was to laugh at the prospect. I think a bike dealer will act the same.

Sell your car, get your finances in a row, then go from there. What's a bike dealer going to do with your car?


Also, if the bike will be your only transpo, think long and hard about all your daily tasks that would normally get done with the car. It changes things quite a bit.

RVM wrote:By the way, if I would not have asked the question, how would I have known? This is a beginner forum, is it not? If I am not mistaken, these forums are set up to be helpful, not for mean-spirited advice. I thank you for the answer, but wish that you would remember the purpose of the forums.

Shorts wrote:Ok, my first reaction was to laugh at the prospect. I think a bike dealer will act the same.

Sell your car, get your finances in a row, then go from there. What's a bike dealer going to do with your car?


Also, if the bike will be your only transpo, think long and hard about all your daily tasks that would normally get done with the car. It changes things quite a bit.

uhh where was the mean spirited response cause im not seeing it????

However.....

Why not call up a local stealer err i mean dealer and ask. Whats the worst they will say? No? Big deal then you know if you will have to sell it or not .

RVM wrote:By the way, if I would not have asked the question, how would I have known? This is a beginner forum, is it not? If I am not mistaken, these forums are set up to be helpful, not for mean-spirited advice. I thank you for the answer, but wish that you would remember the purpose of the forums.

Relax dude, I'm simply being honest. Shall I lie to you? I said I'd laugh because the idea seems silly. I know the purpose if the forum - I've been here for a bit, and I can read.

I sold cars too - not really something I brag about. But taking bikes in for trade on a car lot is much easier for turn around than trading in cars to bike shops.

If its mean spirited advice you're calling me out on, give me a few minutes for a strong response. I don't want to short-change myself the opportunity.

You're not going to be able to take a new bike into cali unless it meets cali emissions regs... I'd double check about any bike you decide to buy, just in case.

I know that some Honda dealerships are starting to do the "Whole line" thing. Meaning they carry everything Honda from lawnmowers to top of the line cars. Motorcycles and the whole deal - it's likely that they'll let you trade in a car on a bike.

I've NEVER seen a car for sale at a "bike shop" though. So I strongly suspect that few dealerships will take a car. Keep us informed though.

And even if they did take a car as trade-in, you'll probably get less money than if you traded it in at a dealership, which is less than you would have gotten just selling it yourself.

Shorts knows this better than me, but a car dealership is going to have mechanisms in place to sell the car, either putting it on their own lot, or selling at auction. A motorcycle dealer will lowball you on the tradein, because they'll want to be reasonably sure they'll be able to sell it themselves for more.

If you want to get rid of the car in a hurry, put it on Ebay. I've done it once, but frankly I don't think I'll do it again. Had to sell my car before I moved to Japan, and had gotten exactly ZERO interest from the ads I posted. Time was running out, so I put it on Ebay with a reserve that was just what I owed. A dealer ended up buying it from me on Ebay for about $900 more than what I owed on it, and $3000 less than its blue book. I then saw it listed on his website for almost DOUBLE what he paid. Doubt he got that much for it, but it shows you how the system works.

A local Harley dealer in KC takes in cars, boats, etc, but they don't offer a lot for them.

You merely need to ask.

I have seen commercials here in VA for a place called Carmax, where they will buy your car from you and you dont have to buy one of theirs. Its a huge used vehicle dealership. You might want to check around and see if you have something like that nearby.