Modern Vespa

This is more of a ramble then a post but I have noticed how times are tough. It i seasy to see on the sale board. Many people myself included are trying to sell scoots and no one is biting at all were as a year ago these scoots would have been an easy sells. Most people are forst to sell because of job loss or in my case medical bills and it seems a very depressing state. For those of you strugling and still scooting I aplaud you and for those of you forced to sell I hope things get better. Just my thoughts based on observations.

I agree...wife and I had same conversation yesterday. You'd would think that with the price of gas going upward that there it would be a sellers market. However, the off settgin issue is having a buyer with the funds to secure a scoot...or wanting to use said funds to purchase a scoot.

With the economy being in a state of flux...even if funds are available folks are little more cautious of their spending.

Hang in there...

I put an awesome fully functional running Yamaha scooter up on San Diego Craigslist for $550, and I haven't had one response. Too true.

No way I can sell. It's my only set of wheels with a motor!

You are correct. Credit has dried up ( due to having to actually prove you can pay back the loan you are borrowing... wow). Cash is KING. It is a buyers market. Sales are in the crapper from Craigs, to dealers to Ebay.

The reality of the economy is becoming more evident each day despite the happy talk on the media and the belching of the stock market. The consumers (us) actually realize their 401k is worth 25 to 45% less than it was a year ago.
They also realize their home value may be worth less than they paid.
Graduates realize its a tight job market
The employed realize layoff are ongoing
Everyone realizes you cant borrow your way to wealth and they need to save money.

Scooter sales are down -38.6% When comparing March of 2009 with March of 2008

Motorcycle Production Figures are dismal
by Manufacturer March 2009

Brand Units Chg. from 2008 (%)
- Honda 16,559 -44.6
- Suzuki 22,093 -24.9
- Yamaha 13,437 -68.4
- Kawasaki 8,278 -56.5
- Others 2 -60.0
- Total 60,369 -50.0


Auto sales are down 27% overall. Chrysler is leading the loosers at -42%.

50% of existing home sales were repos (March 09)

1 in 5 hotels defaulted on loans.

Residentail real Estate is down 25% (trillions in losses)
401ks are down 35% )trillions in losses)
Comercial real estate is desprate. Virtually every building has a for rent sign.
Retail has record bankruptcies.
Banks and insurance companies are bankrupt.
Iceland is bankrupt
Ireland is bankrupt but was saved by Germany
In Spain, unemployment is @ 17%
Sub Prime & Credit default swaps are still stacking up losses in the trillions.
Unemployment in the USA is about 10%
Resturants, Hotels etc are very had hit
Consumers are trying to pay off debt rather than spend.
Retail bankruptcy is soaring. Vacant stores are evident in almost any strip mall.
Shipping continers that cost $2000 dollars to rent in 2005 now are sitting idle at $300


If you add up the sectors in our economy that are in a depression it is hard to ignore the "D" word in many countries... But most people need to hear things on on a TV rather than think it through for themselves!



Other than that eveyting is fine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD5l6ttYSSg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apLPw_O33YU

It is amazing how tough it is for some. As an example one of my main hobbies is Ham Radio, and another web site I frequent daily has a For Sale section and almost daily radios and other gear is being put up for sale at really good prices. For example I bought a used linear amp for my HF rig that new cost around $3800.00 I got it for $850.00, Yes it is about 7 years old but the price I paid for it would be unheard of a year or so ago.

Do you have figures for 2007? I bet 2008 was up at least that much over 2007 which was still a decent year.

We're hurting for bike sales.

the link

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-news/statistics/motorcycle-sales-statistics.htm

By by calculation sales are down. I took the high of 2008 and subtraced the percent sales are off and they fall below 2007 sales.

Here are the gross sales figures for 2008 and a comparison to 2007:

2007 Totals 2008 Totals Unit Change % Change
Dual Sport 36,837 45,250 8,413 +22.8%
Off Road 209,739 146,779 -62,960 -30.0%
Street Bikes 647,633 611,133 -36,500 -5.6%
Scooters 54,255 76,748 22,493 +41.5%
Totals 948,464 879,910 -68,554 -7.2%

That's me too. I also bought mine with a student loan from the government that I don't need to pay back (and doesn't earn interest) until after I graduate--here's to prolonging my Ph.D.!

I'm keeping my scooter and giving away my truck. Anyone want a Isuzu Trooper.

This post was not quite
What we were hoping to see
Try again, perhaps?

This post was not quite
What we were hoping to see
Try again, perhaps?

The ATM of the home owners is gone.

This post was not quite
What we were hoping to see
Try again, perhaps?

The depression is already underway. I don't believe regulation is helping. I did buy a new scooter anyway in May though.

The real buys wil be in used scoots this Fall I believe. Of course new scooters financed at a fixed-rate could turn out to be a bargain when inflation soars in the near future. (Remember the 70's and Jimmy Carter?)

This post was not quite
What we were hoping to see
Try again, perhaps?

Honestly, I thought you all knew better than to dip into the black pit of politics here.