Modern Vespa

Just saw this and wondering if anyone is missing a scooter in the NYC area?

https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/mcy/d/brooklyn-vespa-stella-2t/7287404364.html

That one has the key in the ignition, but then looks like someone tried to peel off the VIN sticker.

It's amazing how many US bikes there are in this condition. It only has 2,000 miles, but was laid down once, and left to the elements.

Yup. My P200 was like that. I picked it up off a guy who owned it from previous owner for 20 years. He took it apart intending on restoring it and left it for 20 years. Before that the original owner put 2100 miles on the 1980 P200 in the 20 yrs he owned it.

This one kinda smells fishy. Too new to not have the title. But if not, a good deal for someone who doesn't mind dealing with the title issue. Im only willing to take a chance on no titles for pre 80s stuff that NYS doesn't require titles for.

I've...um...heard of a guy who removed the VIN sticker from off of the inside legshield of their newer PX150. He also removed the quick release license plate from the same scooter anytime he had to park it in a parking spot that was metered. Reason being that the meter maid had no way to trace the owner to ticket them. The VIN is still stamped on the frame of course.

chuckled ^

I'd get the VIN, run it through car fax, my local police and DMV. If nothing shows up offer $500.00 in that shape. Getting a bonded title in Minnesota would cost me a couple hundred dollars and time. I would probably have $700.00 and 6 hours of my time to legally get it in my name.

With that said trying to clean up and out my garage and have no room.

Looks like original keys with the key code tag?

Also the vin sticker might look slightly peeled off, but observe the damage to the trim right next to it.

People do loose titles when moving states and some states are not friendly replacing the title when you are out of state. That being said it's very possible for the original owner to get a title assuming they care enough to do so.

NICB is a free place to check the vin. Never had it fail me yet. https://www.nicb.org/vincheck

You will likely need a bill of sale for the bonded title, and I'd save the listing as well.

Would be interesting to hear how that scoot made its way from Memphis to Brooklyn, but the seller probably would plead the 5th.

As a Stella owner, I should be talking these up, but you just have to laugh out loud at $1,000 for that piece of crap. Hotter than a $2 pistol, not running, crash damage, and everything covered with a layer of pigeon guano. Sheesh!

I would find a new hobby before I would deal with a seller like that.

I bet it wouldn't take much to get it running although given the photo he's got a battery sitting on the floorboard next to the engine, i bet the wiring loom needs replacing. Probably worth it for under 800 but i wouldn't spend 1k or more.

Luckily my Stella was free from family, and given i have never spent over 800 on a vintage vespa, i just don't think that price is worth it. But then again I'm not the buyer willing to spend thousands and there are many out there. I see stella's in better shape going for 2k here. It's a shame because this one probably runs just as good as the cleaner ones people spend twice as much on. I'd rather spend that amount on a collectible model.

That's amazing. But also wouldn't work here. They'd just tow your bike instead of bothering.

The headache that I got from looking at those non-rotated pictures merits 300 off the price right there.

It's amazing though, what you guys call trash, is to me petina.

Yeah, I prefer a good looking scoot as much as the next guy, but if it's vintage, or supposed to copy an older vintage bike, it's not the worst thing in the world for it to show some age.

On the other hand, if you have a 2021 gts300 (or whatever it is) and it's covered in scraps scratches etc. you've gotta be pretty embarassed about your riding style, where you park, or you've got some stories to tell about other drivers

Ha. My scooters are in way worse condition than the one in that ad! I got nothing wrong with the condition. I just don't trust it to not be stolen.

The owner would wedge the scooter in a very difficult spot for a tow truck to reach. It's a time and money thing too. Would a tow company spend the time to impound a "$200" scooter, or a fancy BWM? That, i and personally saw the scooter owner use both a very large chain AND a large diameter cable, all coupled together with four huge padlocks. I'm guessing that scooter gathered up well over 50 tickets. But that's just a guess. I have no idea who the guy was.

I have nothing wrong with paying pocket change for something that checks out clear when I buy it. I'll take one for the team and return it to the original owner if it ever winds up reported stolen. No title automatically takes $200 off the price because a title bond here is $120. I drive with a dash cam, if I meet someone somewhere I got it on video. I might be a little nuts but I save every second of the transaction just incase. If someone sells me stolen property, I'll return it to the original owner and put the seller in jail. With a bonded title I'd hope I don't loose any cash out of my pocket.