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Buying the Right Used Powersports Vehicle

Apr. 1 2022 Buying Guide By Moroney's Motorsports

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Whether you’re looking for an efficient and freeing way to commute, a thrilling means of exploring the great outdoors, or just a compact workhorse to help around the property or worksite, there’s a powersports vehicle for you. We here at Moroney’s Motorsports know that can sound daunting, which is one reason why we’ve put together some tips below for buying the right used powersports vehicle. To learn more, or to see the used powersports vehicles we have for sale, contact our store in New Windsor, New York, today!

Wishlist

Your first step is deciding exactly what you need from your new ride. Powersports vehicles come in many shapes, sizes, and specialties, so first consider where you’ll be driving it. Street-legal vehicle types like motorcycles and scooters are great for commuting. Off-road vehicles like dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles have great potential for both thrills and for utility work, and PWCs (personal watercraft) are great for speeding over waves and surf.

Next, consider specific wants. If you want to bring passengers along, you’ll need adequate seating for everyone to ride safely. Consider which terrains and speeds you’ll want the vehicle to conquer, and make sure to get an engine you can realistically handle.

Build a Budget

Using that information, do a little window shopping to find average prices and examine your funds so you can build a realistic budget. Don’t get too deep into the shopping experience before you have that budget, though—you don’t want to fall for a vehicle you end up struggling to afford.

Chances are you won’t have enough in savings to pay off the sticker price up front, so build your budget around financing. You’ll need to pay 10-20% of that price as a down payment, then pay off the rest in monthly installments with interest. Make sure you’ve got the money for the down payment and can afford those monthly installments.

Research

It’s finally time to shop around! Start by looking over some online reviews of brands and models that catch your eye to see if they meet your needs and expectations. While information from random sources on the web should be taken with a grain of salt, consistent trends may clue you into strengths and issues in various vehicles.

If you decide on a particular model and find someone selling it, make sure to ask them every question you can think up, starting with:

  • What does the maintenance history of the vehicle look like?
  • How many parts have been replaced, and how recently?
  • When is the next maintenance checkup due?
  • How many previous owners has the vehicle had?

If you like all the answers, you might have found a winner! For more information, or to see the used powersports vehicles we have available, contact us at Moroney’s Motorsports. We proudly serve the people of Newburgh, New York—let us serve you today!