Also, $1500 would be delivered at your door.
for the grom you'd pay $3k + $500 dealer fee + all kinds of other Sht they're trying to add to you so called 'mandatory warranties' etc...
That depends on how good you are at negotiation and which dealer you choose.
Here's what I paid brand new for my last three Japanese machines:
2010 Honda Elite 110 - $2999 cash in 2010 plus taxes and plates
2009 Suzuki TU250x (leftover new model) - $3500 cash in 2011 plus taxes and plates
2012 Honda CBR250R - $4095 - $2000 down with financing in 2012, including taxes and plates
The first two needed sales tax and plates at the DMV, but then so does a drop shipped internet scooter/motorcycle.
I never pay extra for dealer crap fees. I just won't pay that jacked up extra price. I'll either wait patiently or just not buy it if the price isn't right.
For my last Taiwanese machine I paid $1899 shipped to my door for a 2012 Tomos Nitro 150 (made by SYM). There's no reason to pay $1500 shipped to your door for a "better" Chinese scooter. There are three or four Taiwanese machines that can be purchased for a few hundred dollars more, and they are better quality period, no contest.
People are willing to spend $1500 instead of $995 for better quality? So you can pay $500 extra for something better, but not $300 to $400 extra for something that is even a bigger improvement in quality?
Let's not forget the proper Chinese PDI. I thought post delivery inspection was to check for loose bolts, possible assembly mistakes, proper fluid levels, tires, brakes, suspension, steering components, lighting, controls? On a Japanese or Taiwanese scooter that's what you do.
But on a Chinese scooter that has been subverted into replacing some basic parts like: drive belt, spark plug, spark plug boots, vacuum and fuel lines, CDI or ignition coil, fuel filter, gear and engine oil, brake fluid, electrical connections, intake manifold, ect.
How many times have we heard people defend the reliability of a Chinese scooter by saying it needs a "proper" PDI? In my book that is way beyond a post delivery inspection.
And this still doesn't fix other issues like poor frame welds, inferior fasteners, softer metal castings in the engine and transmission, questionable electrical components, less durable rubber seals, ect.
I know it seems like I'm bashing Chinese scooters, I apologize. But I'm just trying to be realistic. Maybe someday soon a Chinese scooter will be close in quality, but still cheaper. They just aren't there yet, and I suspect if they spend more for better quality components the price will end up being the same as a "budget" Taiwanese scooter anyway
You can't have something for nothing ;D
