General Cycling Discussion - Is buying a bike like buying a car?

I am seriously considering buying a new road bike. I have already identified the bike I want. Purchasing the bike will be a stretch financially. I am interested saving money any way I can. Can anyone tell me if it is typical to negotiate a price like you would when buying a new car? Also, the bike I want is a 2004. Can you get a good deal on a 2004 when the 2005 models come out? If so, when could I expect the 2005 models to come out?

No,
there isn't much negotiation. Leftover models often go on sale when the new come out. Which bike are you considering?

2005 models for many bike companies will be out after the Interbike trade show in early October.
Yes, you can get a better deal on 04s after the 05s come out. Also shop around, do comparison shopping for the same model in several shops. To move product some may not discount the price of the bike, but will throw in some free services (like free tune-up for one year) or even goodies like water bottles, rack or swap/upgrade components like stem/bars/pedals. If you don't ask, you don't get.
Good luck!

I always haggle. Its in my nature not to settle, hell I ask if they have a military discount everywhere I go, even if I've been before, some people do their own little things at some places. Anyhow, yes, you can negotiate the price of a bike at less (dare I say stuck up) shops. Bring cash, ask if they take trades (if you have a trade) and always consider used if possible. Whatever you do don't rest until you're 100% satisfied with the price, sometimes you can afford sticker, but in this situation, try for the bottom line!!!

You may have better luck haggling on an older model (especially if it is very large or very small).

If you can't move the price much, try to bargain for additional accessories, many time the LBS will "throw these in" to clinch the deal or as a "thank-you" for making the sale.

Dan

Hmm - I don't usually buy complete bikes unless they are used, but I think that doing research is definatly the right way to go. Find out what the problem parts on the bike are, and try to get those upgraded first. Maybe ask about getting free lights or a new helmet or something too. Maybe ask if they have any sales coming up - you never know. If they don't have any sales, maybe they'll offer to refund the difference if they put the same one on sale within the next month or something.

It also pays to know all of the prices around your town. If you find one that's not your size at another shop, but at a lower price, then find a morer expensive one that fits, you might be able to use that to lower the price - "Well such-and-such LBS has it in 52cm for $x.xx, but I need a 49cm. They said they could order one in, but it would be another two weeks, and I was really hoping to pick it up today..." or "Well such-and-such LBS has it in 52cm for $x.xx, but I need a 49cm. What you guys have it going for is do-able for me, but really cuts into the money I was going to spend on lights/etc."

Personally, I like older bikes anyways, so I'd go with used over new. You can probably get somthing that was higher end than what you are looking for in the same price range. I have the feeling that upgrades/addons would be easier in this scenario too.

Another thing to think of is maybe bringing a friend along. If you know someone that has a lot of experience buying bikes, the two of you could take an afternoon and ride from LBS to LBS. Them simply being there and knowing who to talk to for the deals might even be enough. If they've spent the big $ at a particular store, you can bet that they're going to get a little bit better deal than someone coming into the store for the first time.

Anyways, those are my thoughts, but I usually don't go to a shop to buy bikes, I go there to order parts and tools, and usually know exactly what I want/need before I step through the door.

"Personally, I like older bikes anyways, so I'd go with used over new. You can probably get somthing that was higher end
than what you are looking for in the same price range. I have the feeling that upgrades/addons would be easier in this
scenario too."

The quote above says it all, really. Most folk's will always
assume that a new bike (or car) will be somehow "better"
which is not so. The "new" machine is unproven and will
always have final adjusment bugs or qirks that a used bike (car)
will have already fixed. Then there is the undisputed fact
that a slightly "used" bike (car) will ALWAYS offer more
bang for the buck than "new" ever could.

The real problem in this type of decision is that the
consumer all to often will not be willing to spend time
to learn about what it is they are about to buy. So they
take the easy way out and throw money at a "new" product
everytime. It really is simple......the more you learn
about the products you buy/need the less money they will
cost you because every dollar spent will start working
for you.......not the marketing department than tells
you to buy "new".

"Personally, I like older bikes anyways, so I'd go with used over new. You can probably get somthing that was higher end
than what you are looking for in the same price range. I have the feeling that upgrades/addons would be easier in this
scenario too."

The quote above says it all, really. Most folk's will always
assume that a new bike (or car) will be somehow "better"
which is not so. The "new" machine is unproven and will
always have final adjusment bugs or qirks that a used bike (car)
will have already fixed. Then there is the undisputed fact
that a slightly "used" bike (car) will ALWAYS offer more
bang for the buck than "new" ever could.

The real problem in this type of decision is that the
consumer all to often will not be willing to spend time
to learn about what it is they are about to buy. So they
take the easy way out and throw money at a "new" product
everytime. It really is simple......the more you learn
about the products you buy/need the less money they will
cost you because every dollar spent will start working
for you.......not the marketing department than tells
you to buy "new".

I like the way you think Tightwad..

What bothers me about the buyer is he/she thinks the bicycle industry is similar to the auto industry where the profit margin is significantly higher then the manufacturing cost of the item. The bicycle industry is all about low profit margins on the product while the real profits are made from service and accessories. This is why you probably will not get much of a reduction from the dealer.

The sale of the bicycle pays for the rent, salaries and overhead. Not much more.