Modern Vespa

I made a quick search for Austin, Texas and saw small amount or replies. Has anyone purchase their MP3 from Austin, Texas or New Braunfels dealers? Also, have you done any maintenance services at these places. If so, which place was the best?

I am a pre-owner of MP3 250. Wondering minds wants to know!

Great experience and great dealership! Marci and Jimmy! Thanks!

I bought my 500 from Vespa Austin. Very nice and knowledgeable group. I haven't been in for maintenance, however.

Hi Kabu:
Did you spoke with Thovas? Sales guy!


Also, when you purchase your 500 they did the PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection)? Also, do they offer the extended warranty? Not a 3rd Party! Furthermore, do you know if they have the Daignostic Tool as mention all over the forums?

I am trying to get as much information on the mp3 and dealing with any vespa near Austin; as you know we only have 3 that I know (Vespa of Austin, AF1 Racing, and Vespa of San Antonio).

Thanks for your input!

Yes, yes, and yes. They've been very nice to deal with.

We just bought a 500 from Vespa Austin on 7/21. Price was MSRP plus the usual stuff. We talked with Jimmy, the service manager, and he answered a bunch of questions and seemed pretty competent.

However, the AF1 guys in NB have a stellar reputation in the Aprilia world. They are new to Vespa toys and may be a bit late there. If we had been able to buy from them, we would have done so.

Just my impressions, too bad I am 200+ miles away or I would be trying one or the other for the initial service...

Hi Karu and Gilk:
I think one of you bought the red 500 (Gilk) and karu bought the black 500 which there is a pic in the forums.

I assuming in the pic the guy on it is the mechanic cause I saw him when I went to Vespa of Austin to inquire about the 250.

They seem nice but at the time I went there didn't know nothing about this forum and the helpfullness of it too!

Last question: If you buy the mp3 250 from vespa of Austin, can you take it to the AF1 Racing (new braunfels) for maintenance?

I don't think that should be a problem. We bought ours in Austin and just had the first service done by the Fort Worth shop (picked it up this afternoon).

The Austin maint guy (Jimmy) and the Ft. Worth maint guys (Robert and Robbie) all used to work together in Dallas before branching out. Jimmy left a random part in a ziplock bag with his business card under the MP3's seat for the Fort Worth guys to find - it was an old joke thing that they did and the FT. Worth guys got a kick out of it.

The folks in New Braunfels, TX are GREAT!

Here is the Link to the Forum they sponser.

Over two years ago, their Tech Department was giving me pointers on my trip to and through the Copper Canyon in Mexico. How could they do this? They have been there and done it before I ever got the urge. Their advice / help was directly related to my 2004 Vespa GT200.

http://www.apriliaforum.com

They know what they are doing - check out their DYNO Shots.

Best regards,

Mike Lynch

Thanks All:
Really appreciated all your answers and "Jimmy" seem cool when I was there! Hopefully I'll be riding one of the mp3 250 in mid July. Once again thank y-all! (Damn, I'm becoming a Texan or more appropriately TEXICAN). lol

Ola Muchacho!

Bienvenido Amigo!

There is a Hombre in Austin that may help you.

Steve Guzman thescooterscoop@gmail.com

http://thescooterscoop.blogspot.com/

He rides, breathes, and lives scooters, and he is your neighbor.

Tell him J-Dub sent you.


Ciao 8)

Hey John:
Gracias! I'll check the website and see where he is located (the shop of course). I have heard of Mr. Guzman thru various "google searches" for scooters.

I am bilingual person, just in case someone needs help with Spanish!

So, there is a place in New B that services the MP3? That would be cool. Not quite as far as Austin (about 1 hour away).


hmmmm

Jenmom,

I messaged ya awhile back, not sure if ya got it.

I visited the AF1 shop last week. Wow...impressive. Again, I've found out they were around through "Googl'n". Once I found their website was announcing they'd be carrying the Vespa/Piaggio brand, I said, "what the heck?"

After a trip to the kid's museum down the road, for the 'lil one's, I stopped in soon after.

"2 birds w/ 1 stone!"

Anyhow, the Austin & San Antone shops are owned by the same guy w/ the New Braunfels shop being "bigger"....repair shop that is. The guys w/in the San Antone dealer are very knowledgeable, it just the maintenance side I'm not too familiar with.

Anyhow, good luck and the 250, a totally different ride after a mid-screen's been installed....I luv it even more!

Vespa Austin is a good all around scooter store.

I have been pleased with their service.






Dave

Thanks!

Once I finish up with Alamo Heights, I may take a wander up to the Austin site.

8)

Depending on which way your headed, the place in NB is right downtown. Make it a day trip and start there first and have lunch across the street. Place seemed busy during lunch when I was there Than, once you've visited the site in Austin, I believe there's some good places on the same street the Austin place is to grab dinner!

Alamo Drafthouse is just a few blocks away. You can have dinner and watch a movie at the same time.

Cool, sounds great!

Sorry for the possible repeat, but what are the names are the two sites?

New Braunfels: www.af1racing.com

Austin: www.vespaaustin.com


Happy 4th!

Vespa of Texas in Houston has a black 500, silver and blue 400's, and silver and light blue 250's. They are getting one red 500 this week.

Their phone number is 713-772-3868
Msrp plus fees.

OH I AM SO MAD at the New Braunfels shop!!!

I called them Friday night to get the hours, and got the message they were closed, and what the hours were. Cool, no worries. Next day, around 10:00, I called and the message was changed to "we're open but can't come to the phone right now."

We drove up (about 75 miles one way), enjoyable trip but long. Got there around 1:00 and THEY WERE CLOSED. I even called halfway there, and got the same message - figured they were busy! Oh, I wanted to scream.

So, we drove up the road towards Austin and spent a couple of hours at Cabella's (bought a new gun...).

I wanted to check out the MP3 400 - their website showed they had one (Alamo Heights doesn't).

dang

I think buying a new gun was probably the last thing any one needs with all the mess your going through.

Yeah, but I wanted to see the 400.

Figured if I could trade up, and/or curious. The 400 has more torque, but only weighs a little bit more. I'm happy with my mine, now that I have her back.

Will test her more tomorrow. I did clean and polish her tonight.

Yeah, I noticed the "sign" said CLOSED when we visited even though I knew the website said they'd be OPEN. So, I just went up and the door was unlocked and walked in! Got a tour of the place too....their hours are weird since they are an "active" race team. Sorry to have heard this happened to ya...'cause curiosity on the new Mana 850 they just took stock on has me wanting to give it a test ride. It's an auto motorcycle!

Hi jenmom: May I ask why you want to trade off? I am assuming you have the 250 and want the 400. I am trying to buy a 250 and I am concern about how many mph you can do with the 250 (constant)? I'll post a new thread about this question

First, I wasn't sure I wanted my scoot back, since they couldn't figure out what was wrong with her.

I've been debating getting upgraded, but Alamo Heights didn't have one I could try out. I do love the 250 - it has been said the constant is around 88. I haven't gone beyond 60, because of the hill country I live in.

If you are looking, try out both. The weight difference between the two is less than 50 lbs, I think (so that should not be an issue). The torque on th 400 is more, but I think there is less storage.

Not sure - try them out and find out which one makes you sing!

I got an email from AF1 today that says they have a black MP3 500 available...

Not sure how long that will last...

Bought my 500 in Austin a couple of weeks ago. They brought it up from the San Antonio shop just for me to get a closer look and decide on which model. The folks were nice and helpful. Tovas helped me make the 400 vs. 500 decision.

They did not do a pre-delivery inspection with me, nor offer an extended warranty though we did talk about one briefly during my initial visit.

You guys have any thoughts on the warranty>

Hi RCAustin:
Weird that didn't do a PDI with you. Some others that went to Austin Vespa did (see thread above). On the forums they said that the Warranty is either optional or 3rd party warranty. I belive that you can still purchase a warranty after you purchase ur mp3 from Piaggio! Well, thats according to some threads.


P.S. I have not yet purchase a 250. This coming weekend I will! I'll keep you posted on what they say!

Thanks Jenmom for road trip story. I've got Mana Mania, and want to go

down to AF1 and see the new 850. Hope to catch them open.


Dave

if you haven't left yet - tell them I'm still upset - they didn't even respond to my voice mail (and I was polite).

arrgh.


about to take off for work. threatening rain, but the scoot and I are doing it today.

Thanks EMEPETRES. I'll probably go back and inquire on the warranty. By the way, they had a used 250 there a couple of weeks ago with about 800 mi. on it. Good luck with your purchase. I know you'll enjoy the bike!

Jenmon,

Did you know Alamo Vespa relocated? I just got an e-mail about their ride they're doing for tomorrow's "Ride to Work" day and noticed the address was different. Did a quick check and it looks like the refurbished the place that used to house the "Beemer" (BMW motorcycles) dealership which had relocated last fall outside 1604.

Well, if anything, they'll have a much bigger shop than before. Plus, their both are now located @ the same location too!

May have to check it out soon....

They moved over the weekend - I tried getting in touch with David on Saturday and of course they are closed on Sunday (and Monday). If you go to their website (www.vespaalamoheights.com), there is a picture of the new place. The nice thing is now Kevin (the mechanic) is in the same building, instead of down the street at the old Texaco gas station.

I still need to get in touch with David about the rattling I hear when I'm riding.

I wanted to participate in the ride, but since it would take me about 2 hours to get to the building, there's no way in hell...

Are you going? Better take pictures!

Hey RC,
You can buy a 2 yr extension on your 1 yr warranty= 3 yr total,
within 90 days from any Piaggio Dealer in the country; about $600.

Awesome Watson my man - thanks!

I assure we at Vespa Autin are aware of this board. We have all three of the MP3's the 250 400 and a 500. I just wanted to say thank you for all the kind words and feel free to call or stop and say hello anytime.
Thovas

Well since Thovas was not there to make the seal of approval..I guess Marci would do tha thrick. I purchase the sky blue MP3 250. I had to ride about 28 to get home (no freeways) not cause of the bike cause my mom and family was driving my other car (Tribute, SUV). Anywho, It handles very well and it is comfortable. The funny thing is that when I almost got home a car follow me for about 3 miles and wanted to inquiry about the MP3. What is more hilarious is that my family (driving the car) was commenting that probably the guy following me was going to check out my sweet ride.

I'll post pictures on (07/21) and thanks to VESPA OF AUSTIN, Marci and Jimmy (who read this forums..lol). Have fun!

Pictures of both of them talking with my wife...

Marci


Jimmy



I wonder if they still have these out front?

MP3 250 - Sky blue