Modern Buddy

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 7:24 pm

So I was on the Modern Vespa site and from what I gather, Vespa/Piaggio are gonna make the 946. One poster was saying that the company were taking deposits. Sounds like a scam to me, but whoever they, are they could be right, but at 12k? no thanks!! It totally defeats the whole purpose of why people buy a scooter anyway. You might as well buy a motorcycle instead.....Like to know some other veiws on this...

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 7:40 pm

I seriously doubt it's 12k unless it also flies and does your dishes.

Vespa is not afraid to be expensive, true, but there's no way they would do that and expect anyone to buy it, unless there are only going to 500 made or something.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 7:41 pm

946

TroutBum · Post by **TroutBum** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 7:41 pm

In general I feel Vespas are overpriced for what you get and the 946 is no exception. If what you say is correct and that they will fetch $12K so be it, but I can't justify it in my mind so I won't be buying one. I don't begrudge anyone who wants to buy one.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 7:43 pm

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 8:02 pm

Honestly, I'm SO TIRED of discussion of this scooter, mostly because it's all conjecture and we've yet to see the production version. So all the discussion of the design, price, yadda yadda is sort of pointless until there's an official word. All we do know is that it will have the new 3v engine that's going to be rolled out in the LX.

Vespa has used this scooter to build all kinds of buzz and rumors. When it was first shown at the US dealer meeting, they made no announcement that it was coming, but had some of their sales reps tell certain dealers it was bound for production. This is the first time any news like this has come from the US, their smallest market. It was months before there was any kind of official release, which was basically just a confirmation with few details.

So. Yeah.

TroutBum wrote:In general I feel Vespas are overpriced for what you get and the 946 is no exception. If what you say is correct and that they will fetch $12K so be it, but I can't justify it in my mind so I won't be buying one. I don't begrudge anyone who wants to buy one.

If the rumor that these will replace the LX is true, then they won't be anywhere near 12K. If that's BS and this is some special edition thing, then maybe but still probably not.

As far as Vespas being overpriced, that's a bit like saying BMWs (or Audis or whatevers) are overpriced because you can get a Toyota cheaper. For some people, that may be true. They're happy to have the Toyota. But you do buy ore than just a badge when you get a Vespa. The quality is still hard to match.

I've had complaints about Vespa (as a company) and a few of their dealers but I won't knock the product, which is usually very well made, with better fit, finish and refinement than any others on the market. (Some of their dealers are really awesome. So it's not everyone!) Now they're starting to push the technology and make improvements to engines and transmissions, which I appreciate quite a bit. The rest of the world has pretty much been static for over a decade, with the only improvement being fuel injection.

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:07 pm

I'm tired of the talk of this scoot too, but if I read about it on the other forms and if someones out there saying that the company are taking deposits of 12k, I like people to know so they don't get scammed. what I read seemed a bit "ify" to me. + I'd rather talk about it here than have the bickering on the Vespa site.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:09 pm

Yep. when there are actual reviews, etc, then cool!

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:09 pm

Actually I quite like Vespas but I'm more interested in their new engine.

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:14 pm

JHScoot wrote:946

976-vespa

TroutBum · Post by **TroutBum** » Thu Aug 16, 2012 9:17 pm

ericalm wrote: As far as Vespas being overpriced, that's a bit like saying BMWs (or Audis or whatevers) are overpriced because you can get a Toyota cheaper. For some people, that may be true. They're happy to have the Toyota. But you do buy ore than just a badge when you get a Vespa. The quality is still hard to match.

Comparing BMWs to Toyotas is like comparing apples to oranges. Toyota does not put the refinement and technology that BMW puts into its offerings.

I have chatted with many Vespa owners and they all say the same thing why Vespas cost more. It's a status thing. All scooters including Vespas are fairly simplistic technology. Other than badge and an immobilizer what does a Vespa give you that justifies it price differential? I like to know.

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Fri Aug 17, 2012 2:43 am

No, they are overpriced. But, it's by their own doing. They *want* to be "exclusive" and a wealthy fashion marque. They no longer have to cater to the commuter crowd. They have other brands in their stable for that. The Fly 150 and the Typhoon fit the "commuter" bike mold well, as well as the BV line. But, even their sales in Italy show that in an effort to court the fashionable, they have lost their home market to Honda, and Kymco is quickly eating away at other parts of it.

Also, a word on why they are too expensive instead of just the MSRP. I've been shopping for a new bike and have been debating the "fees" attached to the various brands and various shops. I have covered most of the major shops in the past month (a little over 10) and have gained a pretty good run down of what taxes, tags, plate, "documentation" fees, shipping and "prep" fees are, and the results aren't really shocking but very telling. All tax is based on an average of 9% sales in Arizona. Title/Plate and Registration run about $150 depending on a bike at or around $3000. The listed are the "fees" only, not including the state required stuff mentioned above:

-Genuine/Kymco= $300
-SYM=$100 (from only one dealer... best in the group!)
-Honda= $500-$800
-Piaggio/Vespa= $1200!!!!?!?!?!?!

And this was on an average "commuter" scooter of about $3,000 (my budget). The Honda was slightly more expensive, while the Piaggio Fly 150 was actually a leftover 2009 for $2500 Before-fee price with sun damage and scratches but being sold as "new" since it had 15 miles on it. Turns out the Typhoon was also subject to the same fees. The Honda was $3500MSRP for the '13 150, but I could get a '11 125 for about $3200 Before-fees with zero miles.

The Buddy, Symba, Agility 125 and Like 200i came out to be the best bang for the buck, while the Fly 150 came out to a whopping $3,900!!! And that was for a carbed 150 that had sun damage and was leftover from FOUR YEARS AGO! The Kymco was a '12 with fuel injection at least, and the comparable carbed bike from Kymco was the Agility 125 for $2200 OTD.

The LX 150 Vespa? Well, since those started at $4200 I didn't include it into the mix. But, based on those numbers expect to pay nearly $6,000 for that 150cc scooter.

So yes, Vespa is expensive. Is it worth paying the price of a full 600cc motorcycle for a 150cc scooter? Could you get a Burgman for that price? Or how about TWO Buddy scooters? Or THREE Agility 125's? I don't know if I would call it "you get what you pay for" because at a certain point, you stop paying for quality and end up paying for the privilege to advertise for the company charging you.

To be honest, Honda was the 2nd most expensive, but their quality was actually BETTER in ride and in fit/finish than the Fly 150 by far, and the Fuel Injection and larger wheels combined with the very "Japanese" styling made it a true bang for the buck bike. I may tweak the audio-gear allowance to consider it to be honest.

But, that's why Honda is stealing the European (and world) market and Vespa is losing it.

*edited for spelling... blood sugar is low:P *

agrogod · Post by **agrogod** » Sat Aug 18, 2012 10:06 am

skully93 wrote:I seriously doubt it's 12k unless it also flies and does your dishes.....

Then you would need a pilots license and have to marry it.

Disney · Post by **Disney** » Sat Aug 18, 2012 11:38 am

ericalm wrote:Honestly, I'm SO TIRED of discussion of this scooter, mostly because it's all conjecture and we've yet to see the production version. So all the discussion of the design, price, yadda yadda is sort of pointless until there's an official word. All we do know is that it will have the new 3v engine that's going to be rolled out in the LX.

Vespa has used this scooter to build all kinds of buzz and rumors. When it was first shown at the US dealer meeting, they made no announcement that it was coming, but had some of their sales reps tell certain dealers it was bound for production. This is the first time any news like this has come from the US, their smallest market. It was months before there was any kind of official release, which was basically just a confirmation with few details.

Yeah, it does get annoying talking about something that is yet here... But I guess it's the suspense that keeps us talking about it. Fake, Prototype, Real, etc... It keeps us on our toes.

I been hearing $12k for the "deposit" and that seems crazy... BUT I assume it's that much because it's overseas (Philippines Vespa Facebook?). I don't know what new Vespas cost in Asia, but I know somethings are almost double elsewhere compared to the US.

avonpirate · Post by **avonpirate** » Sat Aug 18, 2012 2:42 pm

Vespa is 'all over' Aspen. So..... those with the $ do.