It's a 2007 and just had 747 miles on it. I got it from a Piaggio dealer who had several new ones and two used ones (both 2007s and both light blue). He was asking $5,900 for each before tax. Mine had no accessories, but had the lowest miles, hadn't been dropped and had just been serviced. The other one had one of those comfort windshields on it (like 4 feet tall, and makes the scooter look like an insect...) and had a matching topcase. That one had been dropped, and had around 1,500 miles. I offered them $5,500 out the door for the lower mileage scooter, if they would mount the top case on it as well. They ended up lowering the total price so that it was $6,200 after tax (tax being about 10% up here). It wasn't what I had hoped to get it for, but better than $5,900 PLUS tax PLUS a top case.
Earlier that day I had seen an ad for a different 2007 (a black one) with 6,800 miles that they were asking $4,200 for. I really didn't want to get a black bike...really trying to think about the conspicuity aspect here! Also, the miles were a bit higher than I wanted to go for, not knowing if they were as reliable as a Buddy!
So what I got wasn't a screaming deal or anything, but for the low miles, the color I wanted, and the top case thrown in and mounted, I think it was fair.
I rode it home (about 1/2 hour away) in the dark, in the rain and on the freeway. None of those were my intention, but that's just how it worked out. I didn't know the area, and so the backroads didn't work out. Anyhow, it felt very stable on the freeway even in the rain, and felt like it had a good bit of pick-up. It will never go super fast (the 250 model is only supposed to go about 77), but 60 to 65 is fast enough for me. I don't do a lot of freeway driving, but at least now I feel safe if I have to go somewhere that involves some freeway travel!
One of my next rides was to work in the rain. Again I hopped on the freeway for part of the ride. On the way (although I was well back from the car in front of me) the traffic braked more suddenly than I expected. I about panicked, remembering sliding on to my side and into an SUV with my Buddy in the rain. But there was no sliding or anything, just a nice smooth stop (courtesy of 3 wheels, all of which have disc brakes). Whew!
I agree, I will need to be careful about the suspension lock. Hopefully I will learn from the mistakes of others and not do that one, but we'll see.
I'm looking forward to summer, though, when I'll be riding the Buddy to work. I do like the MP3, but the Buddy is so responsive and just plain fun also!
Past bikes: 08' Genuine Buddy 125, '07 Yamaha Majesty 400, '07 Piaggio MP3 250, '08 Piaggio MP3 500, '08 Aprilia Scarabeo 500
Current bikes: Two '09 Genuine Buddy 125's
