True Cost of A Vespa Scooter Minus Inflation /Hype  By  spandi (Read 2,083 times)

Are you saying a vespa is over priced?

Perhaps I did not read the post correctly. I thought that the page referenced was demonstrating that if you factor in inflation to the price , a 1965 vespa would cost $2,200.00 today.

Yes Doug, by round about inference I am asking why a Vespa that took roughly the same level of materials and craftsmanship to construct (aside from technological advances) Should be THREE times the price? Of course there are other examples of relatively inexpensive 1960's motor vehicles (think the Mini and VW bug) now seemingly bumped up to the "Luxury Class"

$300 was a months pay for a mid level manager back then with that same manager getting $60,000+ today so I am getting $5,000+ today for the 65 Vespa. In that same time frame a full sized car or truck was about $1,800 and now their around $30,000 so it seems about even. $300 was a lot of money in 1965. You could buy a good used car with a warranty from a dealer for that much.

As for value well lets see a co-worker rides a 2001 Vespa ET4 to work daily. It listed for $3,999 back then but with a little haggling you got them for $3,000 to $3,500 and you got them at $3,500 to throw in the top case, helmet and some other extra. In the past 12 years all it has required for service is tires and regular roller/belt replacement. He is from Italy and got the Vespa when he came to the USA because they are handed down in the family back home and are considered reliable basic transportation. You do the maintenance using the specified lubricants and they last almost forever. His still has the original paint which in Florida is a rare thing on a 2001 model year.

My 2007 Lance Vintage on the other hand by 3,000 miles already required major engine work and a replacment head. By 8,000 miles had gone through 2 heads and an endless list of parts that had fatigued, fractured or fallen off even requiring bearing replacement/rebuilding of the final drive.

For a bargain wait for when Aprilia runs factory specials and get bikes with the same Piaggio 150 and 250 drive trains as the Vespa for $1,599 to $2,999.

Kat you hit the nail on the head. You're paying for somewhat better mechanical components, but what your really buying (and what they're socking it to you for) is the name. Back then the Vespa was just a good scoot. (I don't think the kids in London, the mods, could have afforded todays "Mystique") but they bought the relatively inexpensive Vespas in droves. As I said before, It's happened with a lot of 60's icons. Cheap then, objects of high priced idolatry now. (mostly by those too young to have been there.)