maybe a vespa?

[devonrs]

been looking all over new and used scooter places, craigslist, ebay, etc, for the best scooter and deal... i basically just want something fast, reliable, and classic looking... a sidecar would be nice too. anyway, can anyone tell me what they think of this?

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4503766044&fromMakeTrack=true

[sooznd]

That is one sweet looking scooter!:cool: Although, I would be a wary of buying something so expensive from a seller with no previous ratings. If you are able to check it out in person, it would be better.

[mrklaw]

I would be careful with ebay sellers--especially ones with no feedback. Many vespas on ebay are Vietnamese "restorations" that are more bondo than metal. They have been known to have structural integrity problems that were serious enough to have the scoot break in half when it hit a bump in the road. They are also usually hybrids of various vespa models (note that the model is not mentioned in the ebay listing) and the engines are horrible hacks that fail after a short time.

It may be a really great deal or it may be a lemon. Be careful.

It is pretty sweet looking though.

[Davey-boi]

I'm tellin you bro, don't buy from ebay. Check local adds, take your time and do your research. I just took a ride to San Francisco this afternoon and was talking to one of the workers at Scooter Center, a scooter shop that specializes in vespa and bajaj. I too am looking into buying a vintage scoot and asked him a few questions. He basically told me what I already knew, "Stay away from e-bay, all they sell is vespas from asia". He also said to not order from scootrs.com or any of those web sites, sure they'er nice and shiney, but are the biggest load of crap you can buy. He told me to search craigslist and have the seller meet me at the shop, and they'll do an appraisle for free. I suggest doing the same, find someone around or near town, and have him meet you at a scooter shop, and have an expert take a looksy.

If that sounds dumb, buy an already restored or semi-restored scoot from scooter shops. I know theres a shop in chicogo whos pretty well known, call em up and maybe you can work out a deal. But if there is anything that was made clear was buying a vintage vespa from asia is like someone buying a geely retro thinking it's as good as a vino.

[devonrs]

yeah i think i'll pass on the shiny ones from asia, of which there are a ton... but the one i linked to up there i would definitely go and see in person before paying, as i said earlier, i'm looking in seattle, portland, and vancouver, as there isn't much here in seattle... but yeah, i'm no expert, even if/when i did go and see it in person, i still wouldn't be able to tell if the whole thing was in the shape the seller claimed it was in, so bringing it to a shop first is a good idea... i'll be sure and do that. thanks...

and also, didn't someone say that if i was gonna buy one online, to do it from from scootrs.com ? i've been reading their site through, and it sounds pretty damn legit, though super expensive...

[Rennietown]

Have you checked out the Stella? I have heard really good things about them. Here is a adress to their site http://www.genuinescooters.com/
That Vespa does look nice.

[King Vino]

Man, Jered's a big eBayer and he lives by it. I bought one thing from a book dealer once and that was it. No problems with the auction, and I'm happy, but I don't trust eBay. But Jered lives by them, and I know he's a'goona chime in about this!

BTW: That is definitely a Vespa, but if you're going to buy a vintage bike, you better know how to service them. Classic scooters are not for the wrench greenhorn. The require service, a lot of service. And be prepared to carry that tool kit under the seat and a measuring cup, but cause there is no premixing. You have to mix the oil in when you add the gas. It is not for the lazy.

[marylandmark]

I have had like 50 transactions and not a single problem yet...

knocks on wood but I LOVE IT!

[XPS1210]

Member Profile: badzuma (240)
Member since: Nov-23-00

enough said...

[marylandmark]

Nice!

[Zuma88]

GRRRRRRRRRRR! you have out bidded me before darn you.

[Davey-boi]

It's not so much that I don't trust e-bay, it's more that I don't trust the sellers. On an item that expensive, I wanna really look at every detail before buying and you just can't do that through ebay. I've heard e-bay horror stories, when the pics just don't show you what the car really looks like.

As for scootrs.com, they make great scoot restorations.... if your buying it just to put in as decoration in front a restourante or inside a coffe shop. But to use their scoots as transportation, good luck keeping the wheels on! I did some major research on scootrs and found out that half their "customer comments" were just made up. As mrklaw law said, they can break in half goin over a bump in the road.

King's right, just like old cars, old scoots require a lil more luv. But you don't really have to be a full time mechanic to keep them running strong.

[devonrs]

aww shucks, well thanks for bringin me down guys! as far as ebay goes, i trust it just fine, they have quite a few tools in place you can use to be sure you don't get ripped off, i've sold a car on ebay, and used it for hundreds of other buying/selling transactions, but yeah, buying a scooter for a couple grand can be a bit scary...

i'm mostly just scared about the mechanical part... i don't mind mixing the oil in, that's not too complicated... or doing a little work... i can always fall back on my vino, but i'd like something nice and reliable that goes faster than the vino...

and yes, i've checked out stella, i'd love to get one, i went and applied for financing for one the other day, didn't qualify, i could have someone co-sign and get it, but 4 grand? that's a lot, for that much you can get a BEAUTIFUL restored lambretta or vespa if you look hard enough...

[King Vino]

$k for a restored scooter is pretty cheap compared to what Piggy charges for a new Vespa ET4 or GT.

[King Vino]

I have had like 50 transactions and not a single problem yet...

knocks on wood but I LOVE IT!

It only takes that one time, and the hassle involved is hell.