Just as a point of comparison from someone who's closer to home:
I bought a 1978 Vespa Super 150 (Mk II, Eurospec) for CA$3200 this past summer. I'm in Ottawa, but bought it from a private dealer in Toronto; it was actually a private sale, but since he had a Dealer's License number, we didn't need the Used Vehicle Info Package. I had it safetied by a friendly local garage so I could get it licensed, but I knew I needed to put work into it before I would deem it safe for driving.
I quickly put in a few more hundred in things like new wheels and tires, new cables, front drum brake, mirrors, etc. The engine was reputedly rebuilt, though I still had a local vintage scooter mechanic give it a once over (including opening the carb) and gave it a clean bill of health after the work I had done on it. That said, he never split the engine cases and that's a job for this winter since i know there are some transmission issues (likely caused be a worn cruciform or cush drive, but hopefully not chipped gears!).
To be honest the speedo is obscured in terms of mileage (it was around 14,000km showing) but it's meaningless since it wouldn't indicate the miles since the rebuild and certainly isn't accurate in any event. As it is I pulled the orig speedo cable and use a bike computer now since it's much more accurate (magnet on wheel with pickup on front brake cable).
In terms of affecting its price, it's very likely that my scoot is of Indonesian origin, given the make (Super 150s are very popular in the Orient), but it doesn't appear to be a horrifying bodge; it's also relatively uncommon as it's a Eurospec (3 port motor with decent grunt, trapezoidal headlight).
This info might be of use to you. My scoot did have a fresh paint job, though it's not of the highest quality (it can chip easily, I've discovered). That said, nothing can protect it from the garage door that was dropped on it this summer!! eek!!
Some people in the States (especially from sunnier climes where scooters are popular) will be surprised by the prices. That's just the way it goes, I guess -- different prices in different markets. Here in Canada, and especially Ontario, they're not cheap.
Here are some
pics if you're interested for comparative purposes.
I dare say you'd also get a better price come April-May, when spring fever hits, rather than November, when everyone is putting things away for the winter...
Cheers,
phaetn