Modern Vespa

Hello my friends,

Remember how excited you were before you got your new MP3? Remember how you felt as though you were a kid again? Anxious as you did before getting something that you've been patiently waiting for?

Well, I guess those are the feelings that keep me online for hours at a time; doing research on what I'm just about to buy. This is a big purchase for me. I will be spending thousands of dollars, so I need your help to make my final decision. I've just decided to go with the MP3 500, even though I hated the way it looks the first time I saw it. I guess it just grows on you.

Here's my biq question:

Should I wait for the 2009's to come out? Will there be any changes made? Does anyone know for sure?

Thank you very much.
Those of you who have responded to me have been generous in your comments. I thank you.

The feedback from the European's on this forum
is that, unlike model years on American Cars, there
is not the same unwrapping of a new model with the new year,
but instead changes are made along the way without
regard to a year marker.
So, if that is true ( and I take their word as good) there is
little reason to hold off buying one now.
Hope you enjoy the 500 as much as I have!
Good luck.

2009's MP3-500 have already been selling for several months here in the US. Infact I think you would be hardpressed to find a 2008 now.

Yes, I own an 09' 500. The changes on it from the 08' are very minimal. There are many posts on the changes coming to the 250 for the newer models and for the new additions to the line, like a possible 850 and of course the 250 Hybrid. But, you're safe going out right now and getting a 500, it's already as 'perfect' as can be .

Thanks again, friends.

I see that some of you are from colder climates (just like me in NY).

I must be crazy for buying this just before winter.

Crazy? Not really. If you can pull off a good deal from your local dealer then you should get one. I'm going to have to be putting mine away in about a month I would imagine unless the snowfall comes sooner. It was a year for me after becoming a member of MV before I got my 500. When I first became a member the 500 was only rumored like the 850. Unless you can swing a good deal, wait. You will be happy you did even though waiting sucks. Trust me I know. But having one in your garage, and waiting? That might even be a suckier story.

My dealer is not discounting the MP3 at all yet. I haven't pushed really and wont until ready to buy but he basically says there are no discounts on the MP3. Others being told the same?

No markdowns from my dealer either, though I did talk him into a free Piaggio topcase when I decided to go with the 400. And the 250 I would have been waiting for had I not bought the 400 the dealer had in stock? Still hasn't arrived!

I don't know of anyone who has EVER "got a deal" on an MP3. I guess it's just a matter of supply and demand. I feel your pain. $10,000 is a big check to write out.

Check out

www.tourmaster.com

The Synergy line of clothing. There's also a cool "Exo" line from another manufacturer(search recent posts). Both will allow you to ride throughout the worst winters without fear of cold. I've found that my 500 handles the wet roads fairly well, but I would avoid icy/snow roads in the same way as you might if you owned a small car.

Want your best deal, go in to the dealer during the first snow storm of the year and buy it that day.

Wayne B

+1 on Luthorhuss's comment. I have all Tourmaster/Cortech gear and like it a lot. The Solution WP boot is particularly good for foul weather and cold.

Austin Vespa doesn't do discounts either, i asked if i had given him full out cash would he drop the price, he flat out said NO! i wonder why!?

Lets see. The last snow day here was about 15 years ago. Not sure I can wait that long.

I can't imagine that cash would be much of an incentive to a dealer--they make more money by selling you a loan. That is, if you buy financing through them they get a commission from the bank, on top of the price of the bike. (When it comes to car dealers, especially used, the dealer will often make more money from the commission on the loan than profit on the car.)

oh darn. bummer.

thanks for the facts, i learned something new today

Well, I wouldn't call them "facts" so much as "crap I've picked up here and there." Somebody who's worked more closely with dealers than I have might have some more reliable insights about it.

The dealers I have talked to swear they make very little
on Italian bikes. If true, you can't blame them for not
discounting.
We only got $100 below MSRP, in late winter-early spring, and we
were buying two. Don't expect a deal. Buy it anyway!

Not true, lots of people on here have gotten deals. Heck a few got MP3 250's last year for under true dealer cost.

I bought my MP3 500 right at the beginning of summer and got $600 off MSRP in addition the dealership gave me I think $900 more (i'd have to double check) on my 2007 MP3 trade-in than other dealers were offering.

Also got the $900 promo in accessories offer that was going on at the time, although the value of that would vary from person to person. I got the extended warranty and a Piaggio copter helmet, to me that value is pretty much nothing, I wouldn't have paid $300 for both those if I was shelling out my own money.

Winter is a good time to buy if you are looking for discounts, I would bet you could snatch a MP3-500 for $1,500-$2,000 of MSRP this winter with very little work.

Are you saying that I could get $2000 off of the price? Really? How? Do you know of anyone who did?

I went to the dealer last night. His first "offer" was that he would not charge me the extra for shipping, frieght and the cost increase of the 2009s (whatever that means). He said that the 2009 MP3 500 in Demon Black would cost me $9,000 out the door. I didn't "counter-offer" yet. I also need a larger windscreen (for winter), a jacket (maybe the one with the airbag built in) and a top case (he said that Piaggio is coming out with a custom top case for the 500 later this year.)

Should I try to get him to "throw them in"?

Don't you mean the 125 hybrid?

Got a link to a 250 hybrid?

Cheers

Trevor G

Wow 9000? Out the door? That is an awesome deal jump on it.

$8,899 MP3
$745.29 Sales tax @ 8.375%
$500 Freight/Set-up
$15 Title
$60 registration
= $10,219.29 Out the door at full price.

Im just guestimating at the price for title and registration in New York. So $9,000 out-the-door is basically $1,219.29 off. Its only the beginning of fall, but I can see getting out the door at $8,300-$8,600 the colder it gets. You just have to keep up on the stock of your nearest shops and decide when the best time for you is.

But the guy asking question is in NY and they get LOTS of snow.

Wayne B

Um... I'm just gonna assume you clicked on the wrong "Quote" button.

Decent dealers (at least here in the UK) will tell the customer they'll get a far cheaper loan via their bank. Some customers still choose the finance option though - it doesn't have as many hurdles to cross as the banks put in place, especially in today's climate.

Why, yes, yes I did That's what I get for trying to to reply from work real quick.

Wayne B

But the guy asking question is in NY and they get LOTS of snow.

Wayne B

Shame on the dealer. He could have offered other incentives like a top box, and still not loose.

But others, including me, had commented on the difficulty of getting deals before you made this post and your post was generic.

I live in Austin and it is a supply and demand thing here. Right now they are not having any difficulties selling those scoots. Right now they have 2 and they have had them for probably a week if they aren't sold already. Likelihood is in a week they will be sold to someone willing to pay full price.

Wow $9.000 out the door for a 500? I paid $8,600 out the door for a 2007 model 250 which meant the base price was $6,999. I am sort of cost driven. If there is some change on the newer model that is a must have then I put a value on it. For me the must have on the new model of 250 is the 14" tire. So what cost do I attach to that? If I had to wait a year and then pay and additional $500 on the sticker - base price now $7500 not so sure it is worth it. I love riding my scoot and now having ridden my scoot to think I would be without for a year - not a chance. But I live in California and can ride pretty much all year - no snow unless we choose. If I lived in NY and was really wanting that 2009 and coming on to winter well you would be waiting one way or another - either scoot in your garage or the new one coming out in the spring (is it going to make it to your neck of the woods in the spring?).

Anyway I think I have made this as convoluted as I can. Friday night, finished riding and a little night cap so just rambling on.

Dale

I hope that was a Dry Martini w/olives...

I just traded up to a 500 from an '06 GTS, and I'm told that it's a 2009 that they're uncrating for my Monday pick-up.

Wow! That's a change! You're gonna love it! Make sure to drop a post after your first ride and tell us what you think. We don't get many Vespa guys reporting over from those models so it would be nice to get your perspective.

I've loved my GTS for the last three years, but it was time for a change, and I was leaning towards the 500 when I was thinking about this back in the spring.

I find your comment a bit odd, though I've never really understood the apparent divide between the two and three wheel people.

I've also got an 83 PX that's been hit with a DR180 kit, so I've still got two-wheels in my blood for the sunny summer days when I don't need to hit the highway.

I find your comment a bit odd, though I've never really understood the apparent divide between the two and three wheel people.[/quote]

Oh, I didn't mean that we don't get along(I don't really understand that, either), I just meant that there's not many people who
1.Own both
2.Care to post about the differences they feel on an mp3 vs. a vespa

I'm just interested because other than my 500, I've never ridden a scooter.