Modern Vespa

Hurricane Sandy destroyed my 2003 ET4 and I am awaiting settlement proceeds from the insurance company. The 2003 was on Long Beach Island. I have decided to move my 2001 ET4 to LBI and buy a new scooter for weekends in Bucks County, PA. So the question arises---which one to buy?

I do not use the scooter on major highways but secondary roads where the speed limit is normally 45-50mph. My wife usually comes with me. We put less than 600 miles per year on each scooter. The ET4 was fine for those purposes but we found it slightly (and I mean slightly) lacking in the comfort and power department, particulary up steep grades. It would be nice to have a rear foot peg so my wife had a place to put her feet. Also I normally put the scooter in my F-150 myself to take it for service so weight is a consideration. She also occasionally drives it herself short distances and she does not want something too big. Assuming price was not a paramount issue which new model Vespa would you all suggest.

Thank you.

Sorry about your scooter. See if you can find a used 200. Their carbed and bulletproof. Bigger than the ET and it would give you more room and your wife more comfy in back. However the foot pegs on all the models suck IMHO. Good luck and pics when you get it.

That sucks.

The closest equivalent would be the LX 150. It's pretty much the ET in new clothes. The past couple years, they added fuel injection to it, so that would probably help with your slight power issue. It couldn't hurt to at least go try one out.

I appreciate your responses. My issue with the LX 150 is that in my opinion it lost the classic Vespa look. The square headlight might be the issue but to me it doesn't have the same classic look as the ET4. Certainly some may like it better but I like the traditional Vespa models.

What was the last year of the 200? That may be a good compromise. I do like the model with the headlight over the front wheel but that is a 300 right?

2007 or 8 i think. Your thinking of the GTV'S or LXV'S. They have the headlight on the front fender. Cool look. They come in all models (i think). Getting one of them on an older model scoot might be hard but not impossible. If you like the square headlight they make a S150. Good luck.

Square headlight is the S150. The LX150 looks very similar to the ET4. More power would require stepping up to the GTS, which is heavier, but much better handling on he open road in my opinion.

Cost no option? Wait for the official announcement for the 946 - pure sex on wheels.

In the mean time, pick up a used ET or LX150 on your local Craigslist after the next snowfall to putt around on until the 946 hits your nearest dealer, then go all-in.

The LX is a slightly redesigned ET with a round headlight.


The S is an LX with slightly different trim and the square headlight.


The LXV is an LX with a minimalized headset, exposed chrome handlebars, and comes with a split leather seat.


All of these are available in a 150 carb model (though no longer produced for the US), or the current fuel-injected 150 models. Same engine for all of them.

The GT 200 was made up until 2009 from what I've heard, but most of them were snatched up by '07 or so.


The GTS used to be a 250 fuel injected model (really 244cc). There's tons of them around, though probably hard to find new at a shop at this point. The current version is a 300 (really 278cc).


The GTS Super basically has a slightly different trim package. There were a few 250s available for a while. Now all 300s.


The GTV is the one with the headlight on the fender, and comes with a split leather seat. Fancy GTS, basically. Used to be a 250 (I have one). Now in the 300 flavor.

[quote="Masala"]Cost no option? Wait for the official announcement for the 946 - pure sex on wheels.
quote]

I must be out of the loop ***big surprise*** Which one is the 946 that you talk about?

I personally would get the 300. I know it seems like too much especially since you said roads around there are 45-50mph, BUT its always nice to have the extra power and being able to get quickly at 50-55mph and easily cruise is a big bonus. Its also good having the extra power in case you ever would choose to go elsewhere. I too was concerned that the 300 would feel big and less nimble, I was completely wrong. For me more power is always better

I saw an item online recently that said, basically, do not call it Hurricane Sandy. By the time it hit NY/NJ it was a post-tropical cyclone. Who gives a hoot? Well, the article said insurance companies do. If it was a cyclone the homeowner pays a deductible of $1000 to $3000, depending. For a hurricane the deductible is 1% - 3% of the value of the home. Could be $27,000 +/-.

I might have mis-remembered the actual values but the order of magnitude is in there someplace. Also, it depends on your policy.

Worth checking out with your agent.


Here is one link out of many:
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/homeowners-could-save-thousands-deductibles-after-sandy-1C6808930

I searched for cyclone sandy insurance deductible.

Looks like our government is aware of this and keeping an eye on the insurance companies. Yeah politics!