Modern Vespa

I believei the ET4 was introduced in 2001.

With cars, it is sometines problematic to buy the first year production models as the manufactirer works out any issues/bugs.

QUESTION: should I be concerned about anything specific about a used (6,422 miles) 2001 ET4?

Thank you,
Leo

I'm a relative newbie, having bought my 2001 ET 4 last September. I've had no major problems with mine and have found parts readily available (if slow to ship from Europe).ScooterWest ships FAST!


I suppose so much will depend on what condition your machine is in when you buy it. 6K miles isn't too much, but you'll be ready for all the 2nd service items and maybe more. Because the ET4 is carbureated (SP?) you might want to put some fresh gas in it and see how it goes. Fuel tap, hoses, carb cleaning whatever it might need. Then again, you might get lucky and it'll run just fine. So much knowledge and advice on this site to take advantage of.

Go for it, and have fun!

I don't have one myself, but I was watching a Vespa Motorsport video on YouTube about these recently. They were introduced in Europe for the '96 model year, and they did make some changes from those first run scooters. I don't know when that happened though. They were already around for a little while before they started importing them to the US, though.

Vespa imported the ET here starting in 2001, however it was launched in 1996.

Back to your question, Leo. On any used scoot , it is nice to have a record of the maintenance that had been done. If it is not available, plan on replacing the wear parts - tires, belts, rollers, gear oil, motor oil and filter, air filter, spark plug, etc...

Thank you to all!

The scooter had much you described done last fall so if I see the records should be a quality bike

The early models (maybe <99?) had a different engine. Pre LEADER. You could buy a bolt on 220cc kit that was fair to middling. I have that kit somewhere but was never fitted.

I had a 2001 ET4 that I liked a lot. Over the years I had to replace the ignition, brake cable, starter, the electric thingy by the battery (brain is blank on that one) and also wear parts like the battery, brake fluid, tires. I had a ground issue that I fixed by cleaning the connection. Parts were reasonable.

In contrast I had a 2008 LX150 where everything (beyond wear parts) was fine but the clutch glazed over and needed to be cleaned and the bendix had to be replaced twice.

Both needed carb cleanings if they sat too long.

So yeah the ET4 had a few more issues but don't know if they were related to first year of production or not. Sample size of one. It was nearly 20 years old when I sold it and still in great shape. Kind of wish I kept it now.