Modern Vespa

Hi everyone,

I would like to understand what is the best model I can get, if any, for $1500 max.

My req: retro look, fully functional, frame or seat not broke in half or put together with duct tape etc. you get the idea.

I live near Chicago if that somehow helps.

Please let me know what I should be aiming for so I don't get ripped off.

Thank you

Kymco Like 200, Yamaha Vino 125, Vespa ET4, LX, S, Genuine Buddy 125
Lots of options.

Thank you for your quick reply. Could please give me more detail on how many mileage or model year I should look for on average value bang for bucks.

Suggest you take the models Motovista provided and do a used bike search in your area. Craigslist, OfferUp, FB Marketplace, etc..see what is being offered in your price range.

Welcome to MV.

Motovista gave you a good list. The next problem will be how you determine the condition of a particular scooter. That requires some experience on your part or a friend who has that experience. FWIW I'd suggest you avoid scooters with significant body damage or obvious mechanical problems (like hard starting, failure to idle, problems accelerating smoothly, etc.). Also notice things like badly worn tires. An owner who doesn't take care of or repair things you can see is unlikely to have been caring for or maintaining the stuff you can't see.

Thank you everyone for great replies.

I searched around areas and well.. 2k -4k seems like an average price for vespa, Metro, and vino. Kymco can be but cheaper but it does not have vintage/retro scooter look that I want.

Again thank you

Good taste has always been a little more expensive...

So that basically means a Vespa?

Try the Like 150i (Kymco)

The Yamaha Vino has been discontinued for several years. I am surprised that you can't find one for under $2K. It is a reliable scooter from a manufacturer which has plenty of dealerships in the US. I'd suggest you continue keeping your eye open for that one.

For example, here are two Vinos on Craigslist in Minneapolis. $1700 for one, $1900 for the other.

What I notice is I tent to find good scooter which are far from Chicago. Now if I go and buy one from there, the cost of fuel and trailer would add up. But yeah great scooters everywhere except near my area. I found found couple vinos for $1400 but they are year 2002 and I think that's expensive for 8k mileage on them.

I will keep looking.

The 2002 Vino is a 50cc two stroke.

Also keep in mind that scooters and motorcycles are a very idiosyncratic, seasonal, discretionary-income market, and tremendous variation in prices exists. And, there is survivorship bias in prices you see - you are looking at scooters that by definition haven't sold yet, so maybe "too high a price" is one of the reasons they haven't sold. And, there are a lot of two-wheelers on the market because one person in the household wants it sold, and the other doesn't really.

If you want a particular scooter RIGHT NOW you should expect to pay a little more for it. This is pretty much peak selling season, and a seller in today's market is hoping to find a motivated buyer. But if you are willing to look across a range of scooters and are willing to be opportunistic, and might be willing to wait, you can find lower prices if you let people know you're in the market, check a range of sources frequently, and are prepared to pounce on a deal and get it off the market once you see it.

My three machines were purchased in October, December, and January, from sellers who were (a) buying a second car and wanted the garage space more than an unused scooter, (b) clearing out old-boyfriend projects with the enthusiastic help of the new boyfriend, and (c) moving to Hawaii in January on Friday, and it was Monday. These were very motivated sellers and were either surprised I showed up so quickly or relieved to see somebody actually on their doorstep. I paid asking prices: $1500 for the 150cc Vespa, $800 for the 50cc Buddy, and $1000 for the 460cc Scarabeo.

And the time between the ad posting and the scooter occupying the back of my minivan was (a) two hours, (b) one day, and (c) four months.

That was pre-COVID, 22,000 miles ago. I've added accessories and done maintenance, of course, but I figure my cost even assuming full depletion of the scooters is about 25 cents a mile.

(Rest assured I am not doing this cost/mile calculation on the sailboat.)

It also depends on what size engine you'd like. There's a price jump between the 50cc and anything over 100. I know it's much cheaper to own a 50cc in Michigan than anything over 100cc.

This from Illinois : Just something to consider. In Michigan I pay annually for a plate and insurance on my 150cc. It adds up to a little over $400/year. My 50cc costs me $5/year for a sticker.

You mentioned mileage. I doubt is going to be an issue. Higher mileage with good maintenance shouldn't matter much...most smaller scooters don't get a ton of miles. Guessing here, but 15-20 k is probably a lot for that vintage, and that's barely half worn out. My 2007 LX had 2k on it when I bought it at 6 yrs old, put another 10 on it in the following 3 years. Still going strong.

You're not far off on price if someone's asking $2k. With luck, charm and persuasion, that gap could be closed.

nope

nope

It is rarely happens that I find a deal in town. It seems all the good ones are 1 1/2 to 3 hours away. I once drove 5 1/2 hours one way to pick up a Rally 200. If you are patient, you will find a decent deal. But be ready to pounce when they come along.

I bought a Kymco Downtown, a Like 150i, and a BV350 each for $1500. Yes, it's absolutely true, and I still have them.I purchased a 2014 Vespa GTS and. 2016 Vespa GTS for $3000 each. I'm also rebuilding a second BV350 for a total cost of $1500.

The deals are out there, but you have to have cash, be persistent monitoring for new offerings, be patient, and be ready to travel.

All that ^, and never pay asking price unless you see the asking price and REALLY WANT to pay asking price. Then pay asking price quickly before someone else does. But other than that, never pay asking price.

I lowballed every one. Not because I wanted to, but because I did not have more to put into it. I'd make an offer if I had more than half the asking price

So what would you comfortable paying for 2008 Vespa Lx150 with 4500 miles.

If $1500 is what you have to offer, then offer it! See how that works?You're allowed to offer, they are allowed to say yes/no/counter/ignore you. Don't take it personally. Keep at and sooner or later you'll stumble on one at a really good price that you'll treasure forever.

And yes, I think that's a fair price. They might want twice that, but that's a fair offer.