Modern Vespa

Hi, I'm buying my first scooter and I found a few that I really like. now I can't choose.

2004 ET4 in Alabaster, 1,750 miles. always taken a good care of, always garaged. but it was stored for a long time after a factory tune-up. comes with matching half helmet, matching top case, floor mat, small windscreen, cover, leather vespa keychain, Sito exhaust pipe (what is this for? replacement?), chrome mirrors and folding rack, but original ones are also included.
$3,300

2009 LXV in Portofino Green, 4,500 miles. seems to be in a good condition. comes with a helmet and scooter rain guard. recently got oil changed.
$3,000

2008 S 150 in red, 92 miles. excellent condition. comes with matching helmet, registration paid through Jan '11.
$3,500


I think it comes down to what design I prefer...I was originally looking for S150 when I found ET4, and I had made up my mind when I came across the LXV. and now I'm torn!

also, any cheap ways to ship a scooter?

You have looked at all of them, not just pictures right? That's usually what does the trick.

Probably not worth it to ship to the Bay Area given the embarrassment of riches we have locally -- a half dozen Dealers within 50 miles and always a great selection on craigs.

Aloha and welcome to the forum. Pretty much the same scooter except for the looks. All seem like a good deal and in about the same condition. I wouldn't worry about the age of the ET4 but you will have to check the fuel and other lines for cracks since it's been sitting. That said it shouldn't be a gig deal.. Also have to change all the fluids,brake,oil,hub oil. I like the ET'S. The LXV while i like my LX the seat is the main thing people don't like. Instrument cluster is different on it also. The S has a way different look. I personally don't like the retro look. I would take the ET but would like it in the green. Bottom line is going to be what color you like and the look of the scooter. All have the same engine. Good luck. Hope this helps.

after riding an ET and LX i like ET more, except for mine being a 50;)

i dont like the bling piaggio is adding recently to all the models. ETs are faster, more fun to ride (they are lower in example), and they look better with all the curves.

LXV looks strange and the seat must be terrible.
S is a toy with too much chrome and too many badges.
ET is almost a classic and there are fewer and fewer of them. If it's stock and law mileager, just get it. you will have many chances to buy LX and S, but maybe it's the last one to have the ET.

Buy the ET!

Of the 3 listed above, I'd say the LXV is the best deal, and that's the one I recommend. Yes, the ET4 comes with more "accessories", but aside from the topcase and exhaust pipe, there's not much there that adds any real value to the deal. I suggest the LX not just because it costs less, but also because I own an LX 150 which, mechanically speaking, is identical to the LXV. The scooter I currently ride is a 5600-mile LX150 in Portofino Green, and it's as good as the day it rolled off the showroom floor (if not better). I can't begin to tell you the compliments I get on the color, and I can only imagine you'd get the same, if not more, given the seat that comes on the V.

While the ET4 is surely a good scooter in its own right, a couple things concern me about the bike in question that you are looking at:

1) You mention its sat for a while *after* a factory tune-up. Why? How many years have passed since that tune-up? If the answer is anything more than "1," I fear you'll have a few cobwebs to knock off (literally and figuratively speaking) before that bike is dead-nuts reliable.

2) It's going on 7 years old. That's getting up there for the consumable bits like tires and fluids on age alone. The low mileage (1750 miles) seems like it was ridden really little over the past few years. Assuming everything is original to the bike, figure that you'll have to replace 2 tires and change all fluids (oil, transmission, & brake - possibly drain gas tank and clean carb if its really been out of service for a while). If you're not up to this yourself, call a dealer and get a quote for what this will cost you, then add it to the purchase price of the bike. When all is said and done, see if it still seems like a good deal.

The LXV, on the other hand, has done around 2000 miles per year over the last 2 years (depending on when it was first purchased), and that's a respectable number for a casually ridden scoot in the bay area - not neglected, not a daily driver.

All in all, unless there's just something that you *have* to have about the Alabaster ET4 (and you're willing to go through the necessary steps to get it road-worthy again), the LX will be the better choice. I didn't even bother with the "S" because it's an older bike with lower miles than the LXV, thus neglected more, that the owner is asking more money for. In the Bay Area, it's pretty much a buyer's market. $3500 for what is essentially a base-model LX (no glove box or passive theft device on the S, standard on LX and LXV), 92 miles or not, is just too high.

Hope this helped...

S is a toy???

much exagerated, but my opinion is that its got more parts aimed at looking good than at driving.

too much styling for me. LX looks modest compared, not to mention the ET.

Vespa is adding too many fancy details to scooters nowadays, that is my point... makes them as fashion accessories not bikes..

And the clocks of the S.. they make it look like a toy to me.

You dont have to agree, but apart from the monoseat of the S50 it looks rubish to me
no offence to anyone, that is my point of view and reason i chose the LX over it.

I'm with masala. I'd go for the LXV. That is defeinitely the best price of the 3 and is not a bike that has a bunch of time in storage (sitting around is not good for a scoot). If you did not like the leather seat, you could always sell it at a profit and replace it with whichever style you prefer - the standard LX seat and both the S seats fit. Actually the talk about not liking the leather seat is most aimed at the seat on the GTV which slopes downward toward the front. In my opinion, the leather seat on the LXV is quite comfortable - and looks gorgeous!

Annie, I would buy the S, but I think you should be able to beat them up a bit more on price. $3000 is more than fair. You are paying basically the same price as the ET4 which is 4 years older.

The S is a great first scoot. I'm biased as both of my parents have them.

For comparison I bought both scoots last year.

My moms is a 2008 with a 1000 miles, I paid $2500
My dad's is a 2009 with 17 miles, I paid $2800


I said $3000 was very fair above being that I was able to get these prices last year and have seen several other identical S models go for similar prices on craigslist and ebay.

Good luck on whatever you choose.

I have a 2003 ET4 that I purchased last year. I love it. That said, the S150 is the same motor and almost identical chassis, it's 2008 and no miles on it. I'd say that would be the best deal.