Modern Vespa

I just looked at 2 GT 200s: both 2005 models, one with 6000 miles and the other with 500.... both asking $3900. Both are on consignment at a nearby dealer. There is also a Sportcity 250 (1000 miles on the clock) nearby which can be had for $3900 too. It's a real right side of the brain vs left side debate. Emotions make me want the GT (obviously the one with 500 miles)...even though I know the Sportcity is one heck of a bike. I've ridden a Sportcity 200 model in Milan. I have not driven a GT200 yet - but I have test driven a GTS recently.

Any insight/opinions into which is the better deal:

2005 GT 200, 6000 miles, vintage green with cream cowls
2005 GT 200, 500 miles, vintage green with top case
2008 Aprilia SportCity, 1000 miles

Take your pick, each can be had for $3900. I am leaning towards the GT with 500 miles as being the better deal.....but I seem to remember some people picking up NEW GT 200s for not much more than that last winter. It is beginning to get cold here so I can be convinced to wait if the opinion is that there are better deals to be had.

Thoughts?

Id go for the GT with 500 AND the top case! Sounds like a great deal!!

Cream cowls? I'd wonder if that GT had been dropped, hence the need to respray.


Regards
Harvey

I'm not sure how price sensitive you are, but a GTS can be had for $4,500 if you look hard enough.

With that said, its a tough call. I really like the Aprilia SC 250, but it doesn't have as great resale value (not sure if that matters to you) - if you plan to keep it, I wouldn't hesitate to take that. Know that the 2009 Aprilia SC does have some significant upgrades - I believe they upgraded the storage space somehow.

If you care more about style and really like the vespa look, the GT200 with 500 miles seems like a pretty decent deal. 500 miles is nothing - about the time it should have its first service (did the place do that?). Do you like vintage green?

I don't envy being in your spot - I hate making decisions like this!

I'd be hard pressed to pass up that SportCity. I understand the struggle, and if it were GTS vs. SC250 it'd be even more difficult, but when it's a GT200 it's less of a struggle (for me, anyway).

At least the GTs are Vintage Green - the best color!

If it were me I'd go with one of the GT200s. Mor fun and and much better resale value to boot.

Tough choice, but I'll play devil's advocate for SportCity since no one else has pointed out it's goods/bads. I did a lot of research on this scoot, almost bought it, but the GTS 250 Super seduced me away with its pretty face.

SportCity would have the same powerplant as the GTS 250, and fuel injection. It's supposed to do 0-50mph in something like 7 sec which beats out the GTS 250 at 8.1 sec....if memory is correct. I guess either wheels being bigger or an engine tweak makes the diff. Speculation on MV forum some time ago as to whether this was reason why SportCity wasn't allowed in Canada mentioned possible engine boost.

Those big wheels on SportCity are nice and remember it has dual disc brakes on front. All reviews say it stops on a dime.

Almost certain you'd have to get a topcase for it though, storage space under seat and glovebox nil.

If you scrape the cowl on a GT you bang it out for $$$. The SportCity you replace a plastic panel.

Also floorboard is more crowded, bigger folks may have a problem.

GT gets it handling through a steel frame, I am told. SportCity through it's wheels (again as I am told). Don't know how shocks compare but SportCity does have the four notch adjustable rear shocks like GTS has (GT?).

Rear tire for SportCity has only one source in the states that I know of. I mean, it's a weird size and you have to replace it with O.E.M. tire. You can't select just any tread pattern you please.

Parts used to be a little harder to get for Aprilia. Still the case?

I like the look of the GT better. But the SportCity somehow when you see one in person doesn't look like a "Sporty Kymco" design...not quite. Hard to describe. Looks more like a "Modern Euro Bike" with a quite angry expression on the front.

My dealer has the GT, GTS and one SportCity. After I bought my GTS 250 Super (which has the GTS 300 shock in front and pirelli tires), I asked him which scoot felt the best. He liked the SportCity best, although he admitted that my Super and SportCity handled leans almost the same...he said with very aggressive leans the SportCity starts being better. Given that I haven't pinned down just what in "normal" riding he does like so much about it. He does have a lot of experience with motorbikes, Beemers and such.

Another bit of info worth noting is that I've heard comments from SC owners that the seat puts them a little further forward than they would prefer. If you are inseam-challenged, this is probably not that big of a deal. If you are on the taller side, it may be deal breaker. Best to really consider all aspects of this purchase - not just looks, color, and price.

Wow, did not think of that! Good Point. I'm interested in the one with 500 miles anyway. Thanks for all of the input everyone. I can't help but think that the the price on the GT is a bit high for the market - but then again you don't see GTs come up for sale that often. A 2007 GTS (with topcase) just sold on craigslist her in philly for $4500 (I missed it by a day!)

The sportcity would be a private sale and the GT is at a dealer. I have to be honest - the convenience of a dealer is worth something to me: I could walk in, get all of the tax, tags, title, etc done in one stop - oh and I have a 0% interest for one year deal on one of my credit cards right now...Hmmm.... could be easy peasy.

Well the dealer won't be open until tuesday so I have time to think.

As far as the sportcity goes, it is a GREAT scoot. Two guys I know in Milan have each purchased once in the last few months and really like them A LOT. That in my book is a ringing endorsement - they use them in Milan rush hour each day. I asked them about the vespa vs sportcity debate and both said Sportcity hands down. The big wheel scoots are all the rage in Italy now. Plus the triple disk brakes are great!

BUT... I want the vespa....... 8)

sportcity.

done.

trust me.

(and I love GT's)

Wait - this is coming from a guy that just did the Cannonball......on a GT? Gotta say I am not taking your advice lightly do to that fact.

I love the GT a lot but from a value perspective you can't beat a cheap SportCity. Light, fast, and well suited for commuting.

Get the Vespa, not the generic one.

Aprilia is not generic. Aprilia produces some of the most amazing racing motorccles out there and has a strong race pedigree.

That's kinda like calling an Audi generic.

Personally I am a Vespa fan- but know that Aprilia makes some great products. If you haven't checked them out already take a look here:

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/index.php

I would go for the GT200 with 500 miles. Just my .02

Yeah, but he smokes a lot of crack, so take it with a grain of salt.

Agreed!

Thats' the real motivation to get my spark plug out of that head...

(to get the joke... go here)

Example (not in your area, but still), $4,500 GTS with 200 miles! Recession special!

https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic36649

I'd go for the SportCity, but only because I already have a Vespa. Otherwise, the GT.

If you want a Vespa and you're only looking at the GT and the GTS, get the GTS or don't get a Vespa. The SportCity is faster than the GTS and costs less than a new GT. Getting a GT is like buying a Ford Mustang with the non-turbo four cylinder. What's the point?

The other possibility is you just save your pennies and wait until you can afford a GTS.

By the way, one of the things you don't see much in Rome is Vespas. I saw two PX bikes and only locked to motorcycle racks. Why? When I was there in 2007, the answer I heard from Romans was basically "that's something my parents would ride, I prefer the sport bike look -- it's modern and hip". Interestingly, though, in Paris, Vespas are everywhere with a good smattering of ETs, GTs, LXs and even a few PXs.

Ralph