Modern Vespa

Surly and funny seller 👍🏽
TBH I know nothing about older Vespas, other than I'd like to get a P200E before I die.


https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/mcy/d/el-toro-1977-vespa-et3-primavera/7569960537.html

$7,250 for a small frame is kind of a "Sheesh, I don't know" deal. No doubt that it's really nice, but an SS180 might be found somewhere for that much.

this bike has been on and off CL with the exact same ad copy and about the same price for what seems like years.

smallies are kind of having a renaissance right now, so prices are on the up and accordingly the ET3 would be as well as that it's basically the SS180 of the smallies.

anyway, I think that's a bit steep. around 5 would be more in line with the comps and what's moving and shaking. possibly a touch more if that's original survivor with a mechanical fluff & fold.

I see the moto paradiso sticker, and if bobby did the restoration then it's top notch. but who knows when or if that was.

also, 83 was the rare year. any color other than blue would be rare as well.

if you aren't a collector or rounding out a collection, have a sentimental attachment to an ET3 specifically or care about the cachet of the bike then there's TONS of great Smallframes at half that all day.

It kills me when sellers post that " I don't need to sell this". After reading it, I feel like responding, " And I don't need to buy it". I guess they think that is going to prevent the low ballers from bidding.

Translation: "I know I'm wildly unrealistic in my pricing, but I'm really looking for a sucker to flat out rob. If you know what you are doing, don't bother me cause I don't (I bought it on bring a trailer), and I don't want to deal with legit offers."

No, I get it. Having sold some stuff online I hate dealing with the slew of people asking you to sell something for half what it's worth.

Like most people I figure what something is actually worth and add a little knowing I can come down. This gets me what I want and makes the buyer feel like they're negotiating. Everyone wins.

When I sold the ZNEN I looked at the market and knowing the upgrades I included priced it accordingly. I had one guy actually argue with me about my price. There were lots of other examples of similar bikes with less goodies for equivalent prices. It was like he thought arguing with me would get me to lower the price. I would have come down a little, but not after the attitude I got from him. Dude, just calm down and don't buy it.

So, yeah. Anything in an ad that will deter THOSE people I can understand.

That's easily a 5k - 10k euro in Germany for an "O-Lack" Vespa, especially an ET3. Last year SC auctioned one for a good cause and if I recall it sold for 16k. As Greasy said, ET3s are becoming the SS180 of smallies with the SS50s & SS90s being the "Holy Grail"...

All of this.

It's overpriced for the US market... but not that overpriced.

Price seems a bit high, I've seen those on subito.it for a similar price but in way better condition. I confess I'd love to own one, but the fact it wasn't commercialized in Portugal makes it much more difficult. A cute and very desirable Vespa indeed

Yeah I'm not ready yet, still "learning the anatomy" of my Modern Vespas, plus I think I "need" more than a stock 125cc bike for my neck of the woods and I am sitting on 3 moderns, not quite ready to be a Vespa hoarder……yet😳

Here's one in your neck of the woods, that falls under too good to be true other than the hideous paint.

I'd channel my inner painters helper and do a really good mask job and rattle can the rest of it flat black
Check out this 1979 Vespa P200E shared from the CycleTrader iOS App.

Al's cycle shop is a physical shop, I'll give them that. they are also probably knowledgable about this particular bike, seeing as that it's in their custody.

but the claims in that ad are dubious at best. dollars to donuts it's got a vin/title problem, a bajillion dollars in back fees or it's being sold on a mechanic's lien for non-payment for all the "work" that's been done.

1500 for a complete P2 and it's been up a month? suspicious.

a stock ET3 is good for about an honest 50~55mph on flat ground. but this is not something you'd want to be riding on a 2 lane that's got 55mph posted limit for any length of time.

Sent a request will see what happens.

I actually emailed that seller as well, just for shits. He said CA title is clear and to call the shop with details and if I wanted to see it. I decided not to go that route, so I never called but interested to see what the deal is.

Decided I can only handle one basket case at a time

now where's the fun in that?

all kidding aside, that doesn't appear to be that much of a basket case. and there's nothing on there that isn't readily available with a ton of resources at your fingertips for repair.

worst case, donor motor and part it. that would be low lift, decent return on trying to get a ticket on the P2 train.

back to the topic at hand... that's a lot of dosh for any smallie that doesn't have the letters SS followed by the number 90 to be frank. but, it's not WILDLY off base. in a few years, sure it'll probably get there. but right now I'd say over valued.

there's a whole bunch to consider here just from a over all condition, restoration, current state if you're considering this as an "investment". so much of that can go for or against a current selling price and a future selling price.

to me this is a bike that you either have to have because of "reasons" or something that you're snapping up for collection purposes- either to round out, start one, or throw another bike in the mix that has some worth but won't break the bank.

If you want a tire-kicker I'm 8 min from that shop.

$hipping?

Surprised you haven't kicked it already, 8 minutes would definitely get my interest.

Yes, I saw this one too, and I am interested in it, except that I am not able to travel at the moment so I can't take a look at it. Too bad… It might have possibilities as a project bike.

I'm done buying bikes.
Six in a garage designed to fit a Model T Ford and some luggage.
Aside from the plastic-not-classic Liberty they'll leave my cold hands.

I was actively shopping for an ET3 back in the mid-2000's. I ended up swapping my P200 with a friend's Primavera for a week so that each of us could get an idea what the scooters were like to ride. At the end of the week i was glad to have my P200 back. That PV smallframe 125 was just too slow for highway commuting for me. About 5 years after that a PK125XL stumbled into my lap. I always liked the unique 80's look of the PK, so i was happy at the end of that journey. There's no way i want to own a scooter (even if rare) that i would want unless it could cruise at least 60mph...in the rain.

It's the weak brakes that bother me more than the lack of speed.

I would hate to be responsible for something like that ET3. It's like a museum piece that can't be used. The point for me is that you look cool riding it. No reckless abandon, no point.

True that. Even if a had the spare coin, I could not to be responsible for all the scratches and dings that I would inflict upon it. That belongs in a collector's hand to be ridden occasionally to show off. I'm not into the look at me club.

That's me too! I was contemplating getting a nice Orange Rally 200, but it was too nice, and I'd ride the piss out of it, which means it wouldn't be so nice after a few years....

I only feel nervy riding rare AND OG paint bikes. If it's been repainted and/or heavily modified (or if it isn't rare/collectible) it doesn't make me twitchy...

Repainted SS180 ride the shit out of it. (With a cht gauge!!!)
Repainted ET3 ride the shit out of it.
Repainted Rally 180... ride the shit out of it.

I got one of these, not so sure it's the SS180 of smallframes but I do like mine. It was my first Vespa so I am very attached to it. Prices here in Europe are probably about that range for fully restored bikes.

If it genuinely is original paint as seller claims then it looks in pretty good condition.

Here's an OG one in Athens. Was kept in a controlled environment. It's in pristine condition. It's one of the limited 50 ET3s produced in 1996. Needs the correct seat though...

That's too pretty to get the tires dirty by rolling it outside.

That is a nice looking ride.....very nice condition. Would be afraid to ride it.

I always thought those spare tire covers were an automatic bodge alert. Never knew there were OEM ones.

Nice Vespa! I think you meant "125 ET3s...", correct?

Limited production run of 50

^
This...