Modern Vespa

So with everyone talking of upgrading so much on here it got me thinking that I have found I could use the extra umph from my lx150 to a GTS. I just got it this past April. There's already 1,489 miles on it. I have added a bunch of mods. All original vespa parts...rear crash bars, front fender guard, windscreen, stainless access door, stainless floor strips. The top case came when I bought it, but it's gotten a little nicked here and there. The rest of the bike is fine. Now, I am financing. So I've made four payments on it thus far. Is it possible to upgrade/trade in? If so how would it work? I've never done anything like that so I have no clue, but if I do decided to go into my dealer I want to somewhat know what I'm talking about. Can you guys help me out here?

If it is a 2009, expect him to offer you between $2,000 -$2,400 for your LX. So, if you owe more than that on your LX, they would add the difference to the price of the new scooter. I don't think there are many lenders that would allow negative equity to be rolled into new financing. On a car, maybe, but on a scooter, it's probably going to be difficult.

BTW, I just sold my 09 LX for $2,850.00 and it was a challenge to get that. It is usually always better to sell privatly though. You USUALLY get more $$$ that way. In my case I got $450 more than if I would have traded in. So, it was worth the hassel I guess.

Thanks for the advice. I think maybe I'll stick with the lx150 then. I do love it and I added so much to it. Plus I really need to park it on the sidewalks. I don't you could do that here with the gts. Maybe once I get it paid off a little more I'll look into it. Thanks again

One option you have is a little tricky, but can be done if the stars align.

1 talk to your financing company to make sure it will be acceptable.
2 find someone interested in the scoot (just as if you were selling)
3 you both agree on a price and schedule an exchange date.

now this is where it gets tricky (we'll use simple math since it can be a complex situation)

say you owe 1000 left on the scooter. If s/he offers you 1000 or more s/he pays the 1000 to the bank in your honor and whatever left over amount goes directly to you (so if s/he offers 1500, 1000 to the bank, 500 to you)

before s/he writes a check to the bank, notify them to send the title to the new buyer (they will sign the title and he can sign it himself as the new owner before registering, your name should not be on the title since its being financed)

This would be a trusting deal since the bank is the one releasing the title not them sending it to you and you forwarding it (which I wouln't trust)

Now lets say you 1000 and he offers you 500. (again just using simple numbers) before the day he pays 500 to the bank, you'd have to pay off tht remaining 500 so that when the final 500 is paid by the buyer to the bank the title goes to him instantly. This is why having an exchange date is key.

Make sure he does not take possession of the scooter unless he brings the title to the exchange (this way it proves he paid the bank and your loan is no longer there as well as you should have documentation of everything to him/her as well as the bank via certified.


This scenario works well if you already know the person and not all banks will go for it.

I had a family member who did this scenario with a MC loan to a friend of theirs the bank didn't care where the money came from just that they got there money and were happy to send the title whereever my family member wanted it to go to.


If your happy with what you have, keep it. I have a 50cc and go up hills every day to work...unless its your ONLY mode of transportation, I say wait out the 3 years (or whatever length it is) on the loan and then sell privatly for an upgrade

Thanks scarroll.... I have heard of folks doing that before. I am very happy with the lx150 and it's not my only transportation. I also have a 2010 Kia soul. The lx is WONDERFUL for the city. I wanted to get advice just to see how difficult it would be to upgrade. Like you said... I think I'll hang on and at some point just sell privately and upgrade......ooooooor, I'll keep my lx all together and just add a gts in a few years!

Although I am so in love with my brand new 2011 LXV150ie, I have been thinking about a 250. I ve been riding for about a month and I am so tempted to go in the expressway, faster, longer distances...
The dealer tells me that there is a green 2009 250GTV floor model with about 250 miles on it that I could trade in for and not lose too much of the money. I also financed half of cost and she tells me its all cool to switch bikes.
What does everyone think? would this be a good trade?
I am confused, look how beautiful she is...

What are the numbers? How much for your trade, etc? Finance rate? Can't give you an opinion without the numbers.

I paid the sticker price for the 2011 lxv. 5200.00 plus tax, 300.00 delivery fee and 125.00 setup fee. around 6k. I believe the 2009 gtv demo will be the same price but might have to pay tax etc again(?)

What do you think?

They're probably going to give you around $2500 for your bike. They've been retailing for around $2800 lately so don't be shocked if that's what they offer you. Deduct that from the price of the GTV and then add the payoff on your present scooter plus any taxes, registration, etc and you'll have your number. A nice used, low mileage GTV in the present economy wouldn't go for more than $5k and less than $4k based on recent sales prices.

I know, I get attached to my inanimate objects too. But, really, what's to be confused about - the scooter is meant to be ridden, not looked at. If you want more from your ride, go for it.

Decided to stay with my brand new lxv. the gts had 1000+ miles and would cost more money. Will enjoy my lxv and upgrade perhaps in the future if I am still craving more speed. thanks for the advice.

It's will be called being VERY upside down on the new bike and loan. Don't do it.

I would upgrade in a situation like that if the 250 had

1. had about 200 miles or less (not 1000)
and
2. All dealer fees were waved (i.e. they are not going to charge you an additional "uncrating fee" or "inspection fee"
and
3. the price to upgrade wouldn't be significant (couple hundred bucks at MOST) and I could pay it cash and the loan just be transfered to new bike.
and
4. I had the orig bike more than a couple months (like close to a year)


But then again, I know that situation will never happen.

Keep the bike an add on...only trade up when you already have 2 bikes (I believe in that philosophy and I live in an apartment!)

There is no such thing as "Transferring a Loan" to another vehicle. The loan is taken out on a particular vehicle and that vehicle is the collateral for the loan, you can't just transfer it to another vehicle you need to get a new loan.

In general, regardless of the type of vehicles involved, if you want to trade in something you have just purchased/just started making payments on, you will lose your a$$.

You made the right decision.

you are correct, I guess transferring was not the proper choice.

Banks can (and sometimes will if they know they will profit off of it) pay off the loan and regenerate a new one. The new bike becomes collateral and the old bikes loan is no longer open.

The orig loan is paid off by the new loan. If your working within the same bank they do all the work for you and as far as a consumer is concerned its transfered.

Exactly right. You are simply talking about selling a vehicle that has an existing loan balance. People do that all the time. The catch here is that the sale price (or trade in value) may well be less than the loan balance so you will have to pay out-of-pocket to get the title released. If you are working with a dealer he may artificially inflate the value of the new scoot so that the "out-of-pocket" portion is rolled into the new loan. You would clearly be taking a financial beating. (the morale of the story - "don't buy new if you may do a short term resale")

Moral - do not ever get a loan associated with a particular asset. It means paperwork, sod that. Just get a loan, use it for what you will. It's one reason I've assiduously avoided any purchase-related loans for ever.