Need help deciding, Agility 125 or Buddy 125

[dakims]

I'm trying to decide which one of these to buy, they are both currently sold out at my local scooter shops but when they arrive I plan on buying one very soon. I've searched relentlessly for a used one with no luck.
In terms of reliability/durability, resale value, gas mileage, safety plus anything else you can think of, which is the overall better buy?
The agility is selling for 2000 plus tax while the buddy is 2700 plus tax with a free helmet. (Does anyone know exactly the tax percentage in GA, is it .08?)
Thanks in advance.

[Mary Jane]

Check them out for size, too?? The Kymcos were too tall for me, the Buddy just right...not a consideration for everyone.

[dakims]

oh yeah you're right about the height. I'm only 5'6" btw, what is the seat height on the buddy?

[louie]

the buddy seat hieght is 29ish. which is low for a scooter.

[Dooglas]

I looked at the Agility carefully at one point as it is the lowest priced 125 scoot from a major manufacturer/importer available in the US. I did not like the geometry of the riding position. I also expect that it will be a bit down on power compared to the Buddy as it uses the ubiqutious chinascoot engine. The Agility is really a Kymco in name only - certainly not a bad thing as Kymco stands behind it with warranty, parts and dealers. Kymco contracts for this scooter to be built to their specs on mainland China in order to meet such a low price point. It would certainly be a better choice than most any of the other chinascoots (unless you want to call the Piaggio Fly a chinascoot also). IMO it does not measure up to the Buddy which is easily worth the few hundred additional dollars.

[dakims]

yeah the review on justgottascoot.com for the agility kind of scared me when he mentioned the tire profile. i guess that safety would be much better riding on the buddy since i am shorter. I guess the only other scoot I would possibly consider would be the vino, but it seems that the buddy is more reliable? How much should I expect to pay total for the buddy if the dealer says 2700 plus tax? He said that was the OTD price? Does that mean he doesn't have the dealer prep fees and any other ones?

[ryder1]

More important as to how tall you are is what is your inseam?
Some people have long torso and short legs; others short torso and long legs.

Might be worth considering putting money down on whatever scooter you decide because the ones that come could all be spoken for or the majority all have deposits on the next shipment.

[Dooglas]

yeah the review on justgottascoot.com for the agility kind of scared me when he mentioned the tire profile. i guess that safety would be much better riding on the buddy since i am shorter. I guess the only other scoot I would possibly consider would be the vino, but it seems that the buddy is more reliable? How much should I expect to pay total for the buddy if the dealer says 2700 plus tax? He said that was the OTD price? Does that mean he doesn't have the dealer prep fees and any other ones?

My experience does not suggest that the Vino is any less reliable than the Buddy. My partner and I operate the two side by side. I would even say that the quality of the finish on a Vino is a bit better. The Buddy is definitely quicker however. It also has a better arrangement for a rear rack with topcase. Pricing on the Vino and the Buddy are very similar. The Vino seems easier to buy used though.

The price you quote OTD is essentially the MSRP. It is possible that the dealer is eating the delivery and setup costs but I doubt it at this time of year with every dealer selling out. I'd ask your dealer straight up about that. You can figure out the tax yourself of course as you know the sales tax rate in your area. You will also have to pay license and title fees. You can check those out on your state DMV website.

[Perkussion]

I'm trying to decide which one of these to buy, they are both currently sold out at my local scooter shops but when they arrive I plan on buying one very soon. I've searched relentlessly for a used one with no luck.
In terms of reliability/durability, resale value, gas mileage, safety plus anything else you can think of, which is the overall better buy?
The agility is selling for 2000 plus tax while the buddy is 2700 plus tax with a free helmet. (Does anyone know exactly the tax percentage in GA, is it .08?)
Thanks in advance.

Hello. Here is a breakdown of my costs a few weeks ago for a B125.
topic4991.html
It's near the bottom of the post.
Florida, not Georgia, but it may help some.

[Perkussion]

I'm trying to decide which one of these to buy, they are both currently sold out at my local scooter shops but when they arrive I plan on buying one very soon. I've searched relentlessly for a used one with no luck.
In terms of reliability/durability, resale value, gas mileage, safety plus anything else you can think of, which is the overall better buy?
The agility is selling for 2000 plus tax while the buddy is 2700 plus tax with a free helmet. (Does anyone know exactly the tax percentage in GA, is it .08?)
Thanks in advance.

Hello. Here is a breakdown of my costs a few weeks ago for a B125.
topic4991.html
It's near the bottom of the post.
Florida, not Georgia, but it may help some.

[k1dude]

I had it narrowed down between the same two scoots. The Agility 125 and the Buddy 125. I chose the Buddy. There were several reasons for choosing one over the other.

I like the old-style charm of the Buddy versus the new sleek look of the Agility. If you're going to scoot, why try to look like something you aren't (race bike)? Also, the Agility has this big, thick, squarish black floor and base that looks clunky and ugly.

I wanted a brighter color than those offered by Kymco. Silver, metallic blue and metallic red aren't bright enough in my opinion. Since scoots are small, I wanted to be as high visibility as I could be (so a car/truck would be less likely to flatten me). With the exception of the black and red Buddy's, the colors are brighter.

The Buddy supposedly handles much better. It's also supposed to be much quicker. The Buddy also seemed to have a better fit and finish.

The buddy is made in Taiwan which is good. The Agility is made in China which is often bad. Reliabilty was very important in my decision. Since Kymco backs the Agility with their warranty and service, I imagine it is reliable. But I didn't want to take any chances.

The Buddy also has all sorts of neat extra's. Like the front storage, the 12v outlet, the front hook, and the LOUD horn. The Buddy also has all sorts of neat accessories you can add. I also like that it can store my full-face helmet under the seat. I don't believe the Agility could.

The Buddy has almost a cult following. The Agility does not. As a result, I assume the Buddy will always have better resale.

The ONLY benefit the Agility had over the Buddy was price in my opinion. But $700 isn't chump change. It's a tough call.

Good luck with your decision. I'm sure you'd probably be happy with either scoot.

[Dooglas]

With the exception of the black and red Buddy's, the colors are brighter.

The red Buddy's not bright? Hey now! Its not only bright, everybody knows red is faster as well.

(never take the chance of dissing anyone's scoot)

[k1dude]

The red Buddy's not bright? Hey now! Its not only bright, everybody knows red is faster as well.

(never take the chance of dissing anyone's scoot)

I think you're confusing bright with pretty and fast with easy. I would agree she's probably pretty easy.

[dakims]

Direct quote from the dealer...

The Buddy 125 is $2699 and no other fees. Sales tax is based on the county you live in. My next shipment is already sold on the Buddy 125's and I have no idea when I'm receiving my next shipment of colors as of now. I can reserve one with a $500 deposit but other than that it's first come, first serve.

One other thing, when do 2009 models come out? Should I just wait to get one of those if they are sold out for a while? The tax and registration I pay to the DMV right? How would I get a motorcycle permit if I'm living out of state right now?

[jfrost2]

The tax i'm pretty sure you pay the dealer, just like any item you buy in a store. It may vary from state to state, so I'm not sure. But if you do have to pay title (some dealers do, some dont) you'll pay for that at the BMV to the state.

Also for 2009 models, we probably wont see any of that until late this year or next spring. I still remember looking at genuine's website one day and they had 2007 models listed, then the next day, 2008 models and colors were listed.

[jmazza]

One other thing, when do 2009 models come out? Should I just wait to get one of those if they are sold out for a while? The tax and registration I pay to the DMV right? How would I get a motorcycle permit if I'm living out of state right now?

I think Genuine has new models in March or so... not like cars where the '09's would be coming out at the end of the summer. You'd be waiting about 9-10 months.

[jfrost2]

Dont know where you live, but theres a italia with 150 miles for 3k.

Arizona!

http://scoot.net/classifieds/forsale.html?id=12919

[dakims]

Yeah I think there's no question now, I'm getting the Buddy. The closest yamaha dealer is 45 minutes and not riding distance while the genuine dealer is ten minutes and very popular among the scooter riders here.
Sorry I didn't mean paying tax at the dmv that was stupid. But the registration and other things I do pay at the DMV right? I have no experience whatsoever. What about the title though, can anyone tell me about that?

[Dooglas]

Title is handled along with registration. Most dealers do it for you and add the cost of the fees to your total purchase. If not, the DMV does both.

[charltons]

oh yeah you're right about the height. I'm only 5'6" btw, what is the seat height on the buddy?

I'm 5'6" as well. I have both and prefer the Buddy, although the Kymco is not a bad ride. In some ways I like the way it handled better.