So this is Stella???

RamseyKP · Post by **RamseyKP** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 3:05 am

Hello all,

My wife and I went down to the Vespa dealership to check out a potential commuter for her and while she was getting chatted up about all sorts of expensive Vespas, I silently fell in love with the lone Stella they had sitting in the back. I chatted with mechanic and they sound like they are very accessible to people that are new/just getting familiar with auto mechanics. I've also peeked around on this forum and craigslist for 2 weeks learning everything I could. So, now it is safe to say that I am a very excited future owner of a Stella
I'd like to buy one new but don't have $4000. I suppose this leaves me to purchase a used one, but I don't quite know what to look for in the used market.
Here is what I DO KNOW:
~I want a 4 stroke, so my options are 2010 - 2012
~I don't want to do anything too complicated (mechanically speaking) at least for a while until i get more comfortable wrenching on the thing.
~I am a bicycle mechanic at a local shop so I will be comfortable getting my hands dirty and not afraid to make a couple mistakes.

Here is what I DON'T KNOW:
~Is there a year of the three that is better than others or one with more quarks?
~What is a reasonable price for these things as they are used with body damage or a few thousand miles?
~Do you suggest I buy a Stella with certain (common) mechanical issues or should I look for one that is stated to being in good running order?

I suppose there aren't a plethora of used stellas being sold in Portland so I will probably hop on the first one that is being sold at the right price.. But..Any advice for somebody in the used Stella market would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for reading through my rambling!

~Kelsey

misterbrackets · Post by **misterbrackets** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 4:27 am

I bought my 2012 4-stroke Stella used about a year ago for $2300 with 2k miles on it. There were a couple minor dings which I was able to fix. All in all, I have been very happy with it, and no problems besides a snapped clutch cable and exhaust that had to be replaced. Both easy repairs and relatively inexpensive for a DIY mechanic. I think the main drawback to not getting one new is missing out on the warrantee. But mine hasn't given me any problems (been commuting to work on it almost daily - 20 miles round trip) and I have been able to do all the maintenance myself with basic tools. I can't imagine you'll have too much trouble finding a used one in or around Portland........ good luck!

Stitch · Post by **Stitch** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 2:09 pm

2012 Stella 4t $2700

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/mcy/3999183208.html

Doesn't look too hard to find one for sale there. I didn't even dig around, just typed Stella 4t into Craigslist. I'm not telling u to buy this one, just giving an example.

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 2:35 pm

The Stella 4T hasn't changed since their introduction. If you find a used one make sure you find out the history of the scoot and make sure its been taken care of cos if it hasn't it can turn into a money pit without a warranty. Buying them new, with a few exceptions, most people really don't have to use the warranty too much anyaway. The Stella is a fun little scoot that can be a challenge if not taken care of properly and isn't the most "forgiving" when riding in-attentively but it's easy to learn to shift and be prepaired for people to eye ball your scoot a $2000-$3000 is a reasonable price for an excellent running Stella. Don't pay more than that and make sure it has a title...

RamseyKP · Post by **RamseyKP** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 3:28 pm

hmm..

This is all very helpful information. Most of the Stellas I've sen in my area are 2T and the few 4Ts I've seen have been posted for upwards of $3000. This seemed a tad high to me. I'm glad I asked around here.

I'm curious what everybody else has paid for their used 4T with how many miles and along with other mentionable things?

Kelsey

Drum Pro · Post by **Drum Pro** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 6:07 pm

RamseyKP wrote:hmm..

This is all very helpful information. Most of the Stellas I've sen in my area are 2T and the few 4Ts I've seen have been posted for upwards of $3000. This seemed a tad high to me. I'm glad I asked around here.

I'm curious what everybody else has paid for their used 4T with how many miles and along with other mentionable things?

Kelsey

Yeah people always put their ads a bit high but I would see if I could haggle....

stASH · Post by **stASH** » Thu Sep 12, 2013 8:04 pm

Stitch wrote:2012 Stella 4t $2700

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/mcy/3999183208.html

Doesn't look too hard to find one for sale there. I didn't even dig around, just typed Stella 4t into Craigslist. I'm not telling u to buy this one, just giving an example.

Scraped up from parking next to a brick wall? Not saying anything here, but those scrapes are almost identical to the ones I got on my Stella after laying it down. Seems like a reasonable price though.

magnato1 · Post by **magnato1** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 12:30 am

Not sure how much you want to spend aside from knowing you don't want to spend $4,000, but, I found my Stella on Autotrader at the local dealer. It's a 2010 that I bought in 2012. I think they really wanted to move it, and so I was able to get it for $3,000 out the door. That means tax, setup fees, import fees and all the other stupid fees they try to charge for a Stella. Mine is also Dijon, which I realize is a polarizing color, a lot of people probably hate it, but it works for me. Anyways, I'd recommend checking to see if any shops have some old inventory they want rid of. I got a 2 year old bike with a warranty for about $1,700 less than you'll pay for a brand new one. So, I think I did pretty well and it's worth a try.

lovemysan · Post by **lovemysan** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 4:26 am

stASH wrote:
Stitch wrote:2012 Stella 4t $2700

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/mcy/3999183208.html

Doesn't look too hard to find one for sale there. I didn't even dig around, just typed Stella 4t into Craigslist. I'm not telling u to buy this one, just giving an example.
Scraped up from parking next to a brick wall? Not saying anything here, but those scrapes are almost identical to the ones I got on my Stella after laying it down. Seems like a reasonable price though.

That seller is not being honest. That scoot has been down hard. The scratches indicate that it slid and rotated. The side cover dent is pretty heavy. There are no current pics of the leg shield in the add. I suspect the leg shield is heavily damaged as well. No way it's worth $2700. Anybody buying this needs to have it checked and measured. There can be lots of hidden damage in a wrecked scoot.

Stitch · Post by **Stitch** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 7:19 am

Like I said. Giving an example. Not saying to buy that one. I just pulled one up to show that there are used ones in that area. Nowhere in my comment did I say it was perfect, or that anyone should rush out and buy it sight unseen.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Wed Sep 18, 2013 3:35 pm

You will have to remember that the 4T is the current model and the 2T has been discontinued. Also the 2Ts are typically older and there have been some significant issues such as crankshafts in some years. All that means it is no surprise that you can find used 2Ts at a lower price. That does not mean that a used 4T at $3000 is a bad buy however.