Modern Vespa

It is just as advertised, 0/0/0 for SIX or TWELVE months.

So yes it is 0/0/0 just as advertised and it is VERY clear that it is for 6 or 12 months. Your making it sound like they are being deceitful.

Wayne B

Indeed. When I asked about the 0-0-0 "deal," my local dealer (Iowa City Motorsports) said he doesn't offer it because even if you're a day late on one payment you're immediately over a barrel (and when that happens the customer comes complaining to him). Taking that kind of financing is gambling with your money--you never know when extra expenses (sick relative, natural disaster, frivolous lawsuit) might suddenly rear their ugly heads and you find yourself unable to make a payment on time and now you're paying 25% interest. I happily took the 4.4% a local credit union offered. (Aside: A different local credit union, the one I financed my car through, has higher rates for scooters than for motorcycles--even when it's a $9,000 scooter. WTF?)

You might of interpreted it that way. What I was emphasizing, is things aren't always how they appear. 0-0-0 tempts buyers into thinking it's free. Their interest rates are actually higher than personal loan lenders:

*12-month No Payment/ Deferred Interest financing over $2000
Applies to purchases of new Vespa and Piaggio models when financing $2,000 or more until 7/31/08 on a FUNancing or Piaggio USA consumer credit card account. No monthly payments are required on the promotional purchase and no finance charges will be assessed on the promo purchase as long as: (1) you pay the promo purchase amount in full within 12 months, and (2) you pay, when due, the minimum monthly payments on any other balances on your account. If you fail to satisfy either condition, all special promo terms may be terminated and finance charges may be assessed on the promo purchase amount from the date of the purchase. Optional debt cancellation charges on your promo purchase are not deferred and are not subject to the promo terms. Standard account terms apply to non-promotional purchases. Fixed APR is 19.99%. The greater of a variable APR of Prime Rate plus 20.74% or 26.99% applies if the minimum payment is not made by the payment due date. Minimum finance charge is $1.50. Existing cardholders should see their credit card agreement for standard terms. Offer is subject to credit approval by GE Money Bank.

*6-month No Payment/ Deferred Interest financing over $2000
Applies to purchases of new Vespa and Piaggio models when financing $2,000 or more until 7/31/08 on a FUNancing or Piaggio USA consumer credit card account. No monthly payments are required on the promotional purchase and no finance charges will be assessed on the promo purchase as long as: (1) you pay the promo purchase amount in full within 6 months, and (2) you pay, when due, the minimum monthly payments on any other balances on your account. If you fail to satisfy either condition, all special promo terms may be terminated and finance charges may be assessed on the promo purchase amount from the date of the purchase. Optional debt cancellation charges on your promo purchase are not deferred and are not subject to the promo terms. Standard account terms apply to non-promotional purchases. Fixed APR is 19.99%. The greater of a variable APR of Prime Rate plus 20.74% or 26.99% applies if the minimum payment is not made by the payment due date. Minimum finance charge is $1.50. Existing cardholders should see their credit card agreement for standard terms. Offer is subject to credit approval by GE Money Bank.

p.s. if I made it sound like banks are being deceitful, I am sorry; I meant to say THEY ARE DECEITFUL.

If you're not going to pay it off in 6 or 12 months, you should not be getting that loan. GE reps I have talked to say 95% of people pay off the 0/0/0 in 6 or 12 months. GE charges the dealer 2% to process the loan to make some money. I have bought a lawn mower, furniture and other stuff using GE 0/0/0 & have never paided a penny of interest.

Wayne B

You are obviously impartial because you have the loan.
Those GE reps are lying. Banks don't write loans so borrowers pay them off within no interest period. And whether or not someone should be getting that loan yada yada yada, is irrelevant. How you handle your finances is the exception, not the rule. Do you watch the news? Foreclosures are the highest since 1987. Vegas wants us to think they keep building all those casinos because of all the winners too.

You win, you're right, I'm tapping out.

To repeat the vin number tells you the year model. 10th digit from left to right.

To answer your other question it is not Piaggio's job to set a dealer up, that is the dealer's responsibility plus they have to be willing to offer it. The program does cost the dealer money.

SDG

This is simply not the case.

SDG

Good lord--it's an '09. The tenth number in the VIN is 9--repeat 9. Still the same MP3, though, so please get past it.

As for the radiator hose, there is a sleeved (rubber) wire tie holding 2 hoses (one the famed radiator hose) away from the fan motor.

The only other thing I noticed, which might now (or might have always been) the same for all, is that all tires are the Michelin Gold Standard S. I seem to remember from some posts (outside U.S.?) that a few different tires had been on some earlier 500s.

Seen an 09 today on a showroom floor too.

EDIT: It was a 500. The 250 they had was an 08.

hmmm, I have all Michelin Gold Standards on my 500. I don't think it is for just 09's. But they may make it a standard on them from now on.

Greg,
Maybe it's only me
I want to believe it, The original production behavior has me cynical.
I'm sorry if you feel it directed at you, I believe you believe it's '09.
The East Coast get's them first anyway.
If they increase production, and increase sales, we all win.
More accessories, parts, trained service techs etc win-win.
Here's my theory, they are caught of guard by demand, 2008 production has ended,
BOOM, they start 2009 production the following month, why not.
You do know, the first production year 2008, is collectible and worth more... oh yea
Be careful in our nation's capitol, if the crime don't get you, the senators will!

Finally made it to the city to take a spin on a 500. Took the 400 out first (no surprises here since I had been out one on a couple of occasions before) - I think my dealer just wanted to give me a chance to warm up.
Then, on to the 500. I would have to say it was worth the wait! Did a bit of "in-town" - just long enough to get out onto some more hilly, curvy roads. The red 500 seems to have quite a bit more "out of the hole" acceleration compared to the 400 - and certainly compared to my 250 GTV and felt solid throughout my test spin. I'm a novice rider so certainly am limited in what i feel entitled to comment on from a riders perspective but I really think I was on the scooter I'll end up buying! Have a great weekend. By the way thanks for the responses to my original query.

That is really the beauty of the 500, getting out of the hole and constant acceleration and pulling up to say 60-70 mph with ease

I checked my VIN and it would appear (based on this thread) that I have a 2009 MP3 500. But all the paperwork from the dealer and the MVA says that it is a 2008. So now I am confused.

Well hope this helps the debate 8)

Thatsa nice! In California, we get a "Pink Slip" from Dept. of Motor Vehicles.

How/where did you get such a nice collectors document?

Thanks

John MCO's are sent with every new vehical in the US by the manufactures to the dealers, they in-turn send that into the state when filing for the intial title for the vehical. most people don't ever see or even know of this document.

Not any more