Modern Vespa

I dropped my Fly off at the dealers for its very first service today, and took a look around (of course) while I was waiting for my ride home.

They have scooters out the wazzoo on the showroom floor, and although I didn't get a complete inventory, here's an idea of what they had.

At least 7 new Vespas of all kinds, 6 Fly 150's, a couple of Tomo's, two Honda Ruckus's, two MP3 500's, a BV250, and the thing I lusted after as soon as I sat on it, the Yamaha TMax.

The TMax is truly a thing of beauty, and with a sticker price of $7999 was still less expensive than the MP3's by about $700 and looked (IMO) like a whole lot more of a real touring machine. I hope to move up to a Maxi-Scoot next spring and I originally figured on getting a Burgman or a Majesty, but that Yamaha is very nice. My sales guy said they should be getting the new Majesty in early 2009 and will give me a call so I can go down and take a look at it as that was my original choice from this dealer. He also said that he thinks the '09 Majesty will come in around $800-900 less than the TMax.

So if you're in the Metro DC to Richmond area, take a stop off in Fredericksburg (I'll let you know which dealer it is if I'm not breaking any unwritten rules here)

Unfortunately Id bet scooter sales will drop due to the economy. Hopefully they wont get stuck with a bunch of inventory.

Manny

I will be interesting to see if people will see scooters as a cheap way to get around to save on gas and money overall or just drive their cars? I am glad both Emily and I have a car and a bike so we can ride what we want when we want. I really hope people wise up and start buying/continue buying more scooters.

I'm not sure if the economy will effect the scooter sales, but with gas prices going down ever so slightly it might change things.


The biggest determination might be the colder weather coming. It gets COLD in Denver in the early mornings!

So Far October is spiking up again over September. Nobody that has stopped by the shop to purchase has made any mention of the mess we are in.

I think scooters will become more important as time goes by, its was not just the fad of the summer of 2008. We will have to see with the motorcycles although Piaggio has so many incredible new Aprilia's and Guzzi's coming out there is a buzz about all that also.

Hey, we can all just do the best we can and see what happens.

Cheerio,
SDG

Sure the economy will affect sales - the consumer credit side of things is in the crapper, and I'm willing to bet more people here financed their Vespa than care to admit... People who will need loans won't get them, and those who don't need loans won't splurge the cash, as they hopefully know that cash is "king" over these next few months.

It's not like scooters are just for fun though. People have to get around somehow. Even though it is a secondary form of transportation and fun for many of us, it's a necessity for many others, and scooters are a lot cheaper than cars. If the economy REALLY tanks,a lot more people may be riding them. That's why they have so many in third world countries, isn't it?

+1

I heard my Father make a statement back in the 70's when I was a little kid, he said "if there is going to be a recession I refuse to participate in it" and I have lived by that motto thru a few bumpy spots over the years.

SDG

I heard Trump today talking about oil prices really tanking due to the global economic woes. time to break out the suv again. Oh yea, seems like a lot of dealers are getting good supplies of scooters right now. The local folks were sold out all summer and now have a good lot in, even a few fuocos sitting around

In all honesty, how many people that you know have been turned down for loans? I'm on the BOD of a large credit union. The industry can't give away loans! People have pulled away, not banks. People have pulled away because they watch the news, not because they watch their wallets. Savings amounts are up, Loan rates are low and banks/CUs are ready to deal if you are!

What's going on is corporate side economics which obviously affects us long run, but for 'Joe Six-pack' (sorry, I hope that phrase isn't political) there's money to be had.

Maybe if the lending institutions have learned anything, they'll give loans to those that actually qualify for them. Hey! If you can't qualify, buying a scooter or anything else to include real estate, shouldn't be approved!

It's funny you say this.

Just this morning I had a conversation that went-(cow-orker) 'Hey you can get a 3 bd, 2bth, Dbl car Grge with ocean views for 350k right now!

(me) Like yeah, but who's got 70k to front as a down, banks won't lend unless you got 20%.

No, we got 500k pre-approved on a 3% down.....

So what's up?

That's not what msn money says....(or 'said')

I'm just like a lot of others, I ditched on a 2bd, 1bth, strt pkng, no views for 650k at the last minute because I was terrified of a $3700 a month housing cost before bills and food on a 1950's vacation shack.

I trust lenders not.

That same place just sold as a repo for 310k.

Once bitten (or damn near close-as), twice shy....

Enlighten me please

I do want to believe...

There are going to be people who cannot qualify for a car loan who may look to a scooter as an option. That is why I bought my first scooter in 1984.

Dave, Your so smooth, Id bet my bank account on you, selling Ice to an Eskimo. 8)

Manny