snarkypup

Okay, I think this bike is gorgeous. It's been up on CL for nearly 2 weeks (yeah, I know I may be selling it for the guy just by posting this). I have no need of this bike, yet I yearn to figure out a reason why I have to have it. Because I just have $300 lying around, you know (um, no).

Reasons I want it: I like it. It's hot. It's minty fresh. It's hot. I could throw on some new tires and maybe some new pads and it would probably ride like a dream. It looks like it might be my size (about 52-53cm). It doesn't need a full rehab and a billion new parts. Did I mention that it's just hot?

Reasons I don't need it: I want a commuter. I have the '82 Shogun Cr-Mo 500 that I'm going to fix up. It has rear rack braze-ons. This doesn't. I don't race. I don't even go very fast. I probably shouldn't commute on a mint bike, no matter what it is. It probably wouldn't like fenders, and I like fenders very much.

What the heck would I do with this thing? Putting a rear rack on it seems like I'd end up paying more than the bike. I can't carry a backpack (back issues, donchaknow), so the weight has to go on the bike. Am I insane to want this? How do you talk yourself out of a bike? Should I be talking myself out of this one?

Complicating this is that my boyfriend also wants a bike to commute on, and could take the Shogun off my hands once it's fixed up, as we have nearly the same inseam. The Shogun is borderline too big for me, and perfect for him. So... My good friend who knows me, and bikes, very well, said initially: go for it, and talk the guy down. Once she realized what I wanted it FOR, she said: forget it. Is she right?

I've been thinking about this bike for almost two weeks. Daily. He'll probably sell it tonight, right? Sigh.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/bik/2008430639.html

bigbossman 

You'd be foolish not to.

fuji86

I'm good at this:

1. It's Purple with white tips called "Purple Haze".
2. SunTour, not Shimano.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SunTour

3. The Water bottle looks like a Gallon milk jug.
4. The saddle is ugly.

https://panasonicbikemuseum.info/archives/56

That guy bought his for $ 150, it's really a fine C&V bicycle. But I figured I could give you 4 reasons to pass on it and not feel guilty.

1988 Panasonic DX-5000

https://www.youtube.com/user/panasoni.../1/41lt6Yx0r1E

Grillparzer

As I sit upon my lofty Internet perch, I command thee to purchase this beautiful purple bicycle. It is your DESTINY!

ftwelder

I have found a perfect and simple to quench my desire for a new bike.


I buy it.

Road Fan

Do it, it's hot!

It might be smaller than 52, based on the short headtube.

T-Mar

You shouldn't buy it because, your wife/girlfriend is likely to:

a) castrate you
b) start on another week long rant
c) use it as an excuse to purchase a $300 purse, pair of shoes, dress, etc.
d) all of the above

WNG

I'd pass. It's cute, like sexy shoes. But you don't wear pumps to run a marathon.

cb400bill

I like it. If you like it, buy it.

2manybikes

The real question now, is can you afford not to buy it. That might ruin your life.

Michael Angelo 

If it was my Size, I would buy it.
My wife would not want me to have it. Recently I've made an agreement with her, everytime she buys an expensive purse or an outrageous $$ pair of shoes, I get to buy a bike.....Looks like i'm goin to have a lot of bikes real soon.
If I were you I would get it, how many times in your life are you going to see a nice original panasonic DX-5000 like that?

MIke

RobbieTunes

OK, like you need it, like, OK.
No problem.

1-It's purple, and unique, and face it, there's not a lot of purple in the world.
2-It's Sunour GPX, good stuff, and the brakes are very nice, with internal springs, and the anodized stuff cleans up very well.
3-The chain rings are 52/42, so it's not like you're racing around on a whompin' 53t
4-It's a Tange 1 frame, and that is a very nice frame.
5-Panasonic had the best quality paint jobs out there. It'll age well with you.
6-Those pedals. Silky smooth, light.
7-It has the same frame and components as a 1989 Ironman Expert. I doubt you'd get one of those for $300 in that condition.
8-Think of the jerseys and shorts you can buy that would match it. And helmet.
9-White cable housing. Somebody already knows how to accessorize.
10-It's a "fade." Don't be unicolor, be Benetton....
11-The saddle is nice. I'd trade you my white Turbo for it.
12-It's your size. Unlike shoes, you can buy it in your size and not worry about it looking big.

Dear,

It's a quality bike at a very good price, well kept and looking for a rider. That rider is you.
It's light, shifts well and crisply, and has excellent ride characteristics. It'll never let you down.
A balanced, agile frame with outstanding paint quality. Always looks good without makeup, just like you.
Very nice 700c wheels and a unique group of components. People will realize you're an expert.
It's a thorough cleanup away form outstanding. You can do that in your sleep.
It's a conversation piece on any ride. Men will come to up to you and want to buy it or marry you.

How could you not?

bhchdh 

That which is not prohibited is required.

gbalke

He/She who hesitates is S*&% out of luck. That's a gorgeous bike! If you like it and have the $$ to buy it, then buy it. If you don't you may regret it. If you buy it and later regret it, you can always sell it.

Wildwood 

The drive to Tacoma is too far?

Chicago Al 

You have to go look at the bike, at least. Maybe in riding it you'll find that it doesn't fit, or that the racing geometry isn't for you, and you can forget about it.

But if you like it in person, you really ought to buy it. It's a high-end Panasonic, which is not commonly seen, it's a great color, and it appears to be in great shape. Like Robbie says, it's pretty much the same as an Ironman, so it might even appreciate in price over the next few years.

You're also right that it's not intended as a commuter, though there are adaptations you could make like fatter tires and Planet Bike clip-on Fenders. But as you are (IIRC) either new to cycling or returning to it, you may find that you want a faster, sleeker bike for weekend rides for fitness and fun. I can tell you from personal experience that a bike like that will make you more ambitious in your cycling.

And you'll look cute as heck riding it.

ps: I strongly suspect that if you like the bike in person and let the seller know how much you appreciate it, you'll get a discount. That's also from my experience, as a seller!

pps: Honestly, I don't mean flirting with the seller. You don't have to. With guys there's a contest in terms of who 'wins' in the deal. With a girl who really wants the bike, I want her to have it too.

stien

Yeah especially females can talk people down like nobody's business. I have a friend who gets such freaking amazing deals, I hate her for it. In a good way.

auchencrow

That's a good price - I sold a DX3000 for as much in DETROIT.

( Besides, riding it will be a religious experience. )

robtown

snarkypup - Since you're dealing with a boyfriend you are free from the issues quoted below. The bike is hot, you'll be hot riding it. I doubt you boyfriend will complain - and will certainly enjoy riding with your previous bike. The Panasonic is a quality bike. It would be great if you can talk the price down - and still worth it if you cannot.

RobbieTunes

Another plus: you get that bike, HE has to step up his game....

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

In a heartbeat if it fits.

Think of it as a sunny day go-fast bike that will fit you and the Centurion will be too big.

keep your eyes peeled on the side of the road for a varsity on the way home: instant commuter.

snarkypup

I AM the wife/girlfriend, so we're safe there.

shopgirl

If it were for sale near me (and if it were one size smaller), I'd buy it. I wouldn't need a reason other than, "it's purple and my size." Test ride it if you can, or at least sit on it to make sure it's the right size. I might try to talk him down a little on the price.
As far as commuting goes, clip on fenders should be easy enough to install on this bike. It is pretty limiting that you can't easily install a rack and can't ride with a backpack, however. Short of finding a way to leave what you'll need at work every day, it might be tricky to use this primarily as a commuter. But if you want a bike that would work great for long distance rides, this would be it. Like someone else said, you could always sell it later if it turns out the bike really doesn't work for you and you never ride it.
I'd say pass on this and look for a good touring bike as well, but I imagine those are even harder to come by and get snapped up even quicker where you live.
What do you have to carry to work, and is there truly NO backpack that will work, or is it maybe a matter of finding one that supports and distributes weight better? I often ride to work on a bike positioned like this one, and I find that when I wear my messenger bag, the weight balances well just on top of my back and doesn't pull on my shoulders at all.

LesterOfPuppets

That's odd, I've been lusting after another purple bike in Tacoma since yesterday...
https://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/2009686897.html

rothenfield1

In that case, if he uses the "not enough room in the garage" excuse; move 'cleaning up the garage' to the top of the Honey-Do list.