2019 PCX as my VFR800F's "little brother"

[zroger73]

My relationship with Honda started when I was a kid with what I recall was a Z50R that endured far more punishment than it was entitled to. I graduated to an XL80S followed by an Elite CH150D scooter. I didn't own a motorcycle again until 2005 when I bought a new Ninja 250 that was stolen a year later. A few weeks ago, I bought a brand new "leftover" 2014 VFR800F which is far more motorcycle than I wanted or needed, but couldn't pass up the opportunity to buy it at less than half its original price.

I've been looking at PCX's for a few years. Last week, I found a black 2015 with a claimed 14 miles on it, but the seller finally told me they already sold it after ignoring my messages for two days (I later found the SAME photos used on another ad on Facebook Marketplace hundreds of miles away...hmmm). A couple of days ago, I found a white 2018 with 437 miles for $2,200, but the seller stopped responding after I told them I could come look at it the following evening. Frustrated by the flaky sellers, I decided to buy a new 2019 for $3,599 + TT&L (no destination, setup, or doc fees) at 0% for 12 months. I'm going to pick it up after work this evening.

[87112]

On Craiglist some email replies and responses sometimes go to spam box automatically. It would be in everyone's interest to have access to text or call option.

[zroger73]

Agreed. I was communicating with the first seller by text. Communication through email was fine with the second seller until I told him I was interested. Weird.

Anywho, here's the Honda family: 2014 VFR800F, 2019 PCX 150, and 2019 Ridgeline RTL-E.

[Old Grinner]

Life is good eh?

You'll probably find you use the PCX as your "go to" machine and save the VFR for the special rides.

Congrats on your new 2019. When you see the average MPG you're going to think something is wrong . . . it can't be that high . . . but I can assure you it can. When I had my 2017 I was getting over 100 MPG most of the time.

[zroger73]

You'll probably find you use the PCX as your "go to" machine and save the VFR for the special rides.

I think you hit the nail on the head with that statement!

Regarding fuel economy, my '86 CH150D got 75 MPG and that was with a carburetor over 30 years ago. My brother's Grom averaged over 100 MPG - mostly at full throttle. Even my 2017 Civic Si would get 40+ MPG on the highway.

[87112]

I am a big Honda fan of course.

Previous Honda were

CBR250
CBR500
Pcx 125

Never left me with a dealer visit for unseen repairs.

I wish I bought the 1st generation Honda Fit. That bodystyle is unique with its rounded shape and they dont last long in the used market.

[zroger73]

As far as Honda cars, I've had...

'06 Accord EX-L
'07 Ridgeline RTL
'09 Civic EX
'10 Ridgeline RTL
'14 Ridgeline SE
'16 CR-V Touring
'17 Ridgeline RTL-E
'17 Civic Si
'18 Accord Sport 2.0T
'19 RDX Advance
'19 Ridgeline RTL-E

So far, the '17 Civic Si was the most fun to drive. The '19 RDX was the biggest disappointment. I keep coming back to the Ridgeline.

[87112]

What did you not like about the RDX? I think Acura cars are wonderful espeically the interiors so well designed looking. Luxury and sporty.

[Jge64]

Recognize you from the driveaccord site, you are a sane man among many insane posts....Liked your accord sport saga, that freaked a ton of fanboys out when you swapped it....

[zroger73]

What did you not like about the RDX? I think Acura cars are wonderful espeically the interiors so well designed looking. Luxury and sporty.

The two biggest complaints I had with the RDX were a severe vibration that could be felt and heard while stopped in reverse when the engine was cold and harsh 2-3 shifts. The infotainment system was very buggy despite multiple updates and the fit and finish weren't as good as my mom's Equinox (yikes). Rattles/buzzes in the dash, doors, and pillars were beginning to appear within a few thousand miles, there was a optical distortion in the windshield in the HUD reflection and the driver's seat leather was puckered. It didn't help that my closest Acura dealer required a three-hour round trip. The engine also smelled of gasoline after driving (just like my '18 Accord and '19 Ridgeline - seems to be coming from the PCV hose). I loved the interior materials and exterior design and the ELS Studio 3D audio system was phenomenal. Lastly, the I4 engine just can't match the smoothness or sound of a V6.

Recognize you from the driveaccord site, you are a sane man among many insane posts....Liked your accord sport saga, that freaked a ton of fanboys out when you swapped it....

Haha! Thanks! Yeah - I'm very loyal to the Honda brand, but I'm not so brainwashed as to realize Honda doesn't have their share of problems.

[zroger73]

Well, here's an interesting twist...

The second Craigslist seller finally got in touch with me. Turns out he was in charge of the ad for his father who the scooter belonged to. He claims he had lots of responses and was getting confused about who he was replying to (since the CL remailer anonymizes contacts) which may or may not be true. He did list his name on one email - using that and the general area where the scooter was located, I used social media and public records searches to find an address. I matched elements of the Google street view of this address with photos of the scooter in the Craigslist ad to confirm. After work, I made a cash withdrawal and decided I was going to make the 1.5-hour drive to this address and knock on their door and tell them I wanted to buy the scooter they had for sale. As it turns out, the seller finally called about 30 minutes before I arrived. I told them I was on my way with cash in hand.

After I arrived. I found the scooter to be indistinguishable from new. It looked, smelled, ran, and rode like new. There's not a scratch or scuff mark anywhere on it. All the factory items were there and it only had 437 miles on it as indicated in the ad. It also came with a barely-used $400 Shoei helmet and $300 Tourmaster jacket. I paid $2,200 for everything. The seller was a 61 year-old police officer who bought it a couple of years ago and rarely rode it. They turned out to be really nice folks and I stayed and visited with them for about an hour.

So, I now have a brand new 2019 PCX 150 and a practically-new white 2018 PCX sitting in my garage beside my VFR800. The 2019 PCX is supposed to be all new (frame, engine, tires, wheels, instruments, plastics, etc.), but I honestly can't tell much difference between the two.

[GeorgeSK]

Awesome deal when you add in the gear. Now you need to figure out what to do with too many scoots. Unless the spouse tries to ride one. Then one (I'll bet the white '18) will find a new owner very quickly.

Very cool. Congratulations.

[zroger73]

No spouse, but one of the reasons I resumed my quest to buy the 2018 was because my brother came to visit the day I bought the 2019 and hinted that now that I had two motos he and I could ride together. Well... I can be a bit selfish and protective of the things I worked hard for to buy, so I wasn't too keen on that idea. He had a Grom that he really enjoyed, but sold it due to financial hardship and isn't in a position to buy something of his own. If that changes, I'll be glad to sell it to him without a profit, but for now it'll be staying in my garage. He's welcome to ride it with me.

[WhiteNoise]

WORTH THE TRIP
Deals like that are a fluke! (unexpected stroke of good luck) and you got Gear too! Congratulations!!
Have to laugh right? One minute, no PCX in garage, next....two are sitting side by side. Big Daddy Ridge and Bro VFR move over! there are 2 new kidS in da haus
What a great turnout and story

List of Honda 4 wheels:
'78 Accord LX Hatchback (auto)
'82 Civic LX Sedan (manual)
'06 Civic Si (manual)
'06 Ridgeline RTL (auto) Present Vehicle

Extra! Extra! this in, I test drove the Brandy New Honda Passport Touring model yesterday. It's a Contender. I Liked it a lot!

Honda Bikes
'02 Shadow VLX/DLX 600
'05 Shadow VLX/DLX 600
'11 PCX 125
'15 PCX 150
Can't remember my very first Honda bike, manual 175 (Orange/white?) Had it only a year. My uncle found it unsafe to ride. He was chief mechanic at Pan American. He handed me $150.00 and made it disappear (what I paid for it). He probably saved my life

I wish Honda would bring a few more bikes over like the Newer Forza 300 and X-ADV.

Anywho....Congrats again, Pat yerself on the back

[zroger73]

@WhiteNoise, I see you have a Ridgeline as well. Are you a member of the Ridgeline Owner's Club? I'm a mod there.

I was hoping the Passport would have the 10AT. I'm not fond of the ZF 9HP transmission, but Honda said the 10AT wouldn't fit in the Passport (and presumably Pilot and Ridgeline).