Which one to buy, The ET 2 or ET 4.
Written: Aug 02 '01 (Updated Apr 08 '07)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Reliability: |
 |
|
| Comfort: |
|
|
| Handling And Control: |
 |
|
| Quality and Craftsmanship: |
|
|
|
Pros: 150cc, Solid construction,Fit and Finish, smooth ride, power enough for two, definitely a new lifestyle
Cons: Comparative Initial cost, Dealer network still growing
The Bottom Line: The Vespa is a great product. Buy the ET4 for hilly areas or intentions on carrying a passenger. ET2's for flatter terrains with slower traffic. Enjoy the excellent gas economy!!
|
|
|
| h2c911sc's Full Review: 2000 Vespa ET4 150 |
I reside in Seattle, Washington a beautiful and picturesque city of many hills with congested streets at times and few parking spaces. My daily commute to the office consists of a ride of about 5 miles each-way. A quest for a scooter ensued as the result of working in the downtown area and needing to get around for errands. As a architect, Good design as well as materials, fit and finish are important aspects of any product that I consider. After exhaustive research into various scooter manufacturers, the Vespa/Piaggio line fit most into my evaluation criteria. Vespa was just re-introduced into the American market in the fourth quarter of 2000. I was fortunate to have a Piaggio/U.S.A. recognized Vespa repair/restoration shop here in Seattle that also delivers the new 2000/2001 Vespa scooters. I had made several trips to this shop to test ride the machines. All they had at the time was the shop's ET4 which when I rode for the first time, was quite impressive. I had also wanted to ride the ET2, for the sake of comparision. From the outside the two scooters are virtually identical. The ET4 is a 150cc four-stroke while the ET2 is a 50cc 2-stroke. The top speed for the ET4 is about 60-65 while the ET4 is around 40-45. There is about a $1000.00 difference in price between the two. My decision between the two had alot to do with how I wanted to use my scooter.
Since the hills here are plentiful and with an occasional passenger aboard, the 150cc ET4 seemed to be the right fit. To reinforce my decision, I wanted an unbiased opinion so I called the two Vespa dealers in San Francisco(similar geographically) to "poll" them on which model they sold more of. The ET4 at about 12:1!!
Update April 15, 2002
I now have 1300 miles on my ET4. I have been commuting across the floating bridge here to the office where I work. I can top off at 65 mph on the short stretch of interstate that I ride and the scooter speeds along and performs flawlessly, I weigh 175lb. I have experienced some pitting and bubbling of some of the chromed plastic components that I must share with you readers of these opinions. The guys at Big People's Scooters here were gracious enough to swap out the pieces in order for them to send to VespaUSA for their inspection and possible resolution to this apparent problem. Otherwise I continue to highly recommend the Vespa product.
Update September 2002
Having turned 2200 miles on the ET4 I figure I can ride for another few weeks before the weather here in the Pacific Northwest gets wet enough that commuting across the floating bridge becomes hazardous to ones health. Everything is running great! Having just come back from a trip to Spain, I have developed a greater appreciation for scooters and wished more people would get them here so that maybe we can have the same mutual respect between scooterists and motorists. The syncapation I observed in Spain between the cars/buses and scooters was awesome! Best of all no one gets hit and everyone proceeds on their merry way. Now that my scooter is out of warranty, I am considering some minor modifications to increase performance probably in the form of an exhaust system. Otherwise I'm going to wash and put on a couple of coats of good wax to preserve the paint finish over the winter months. If you haven't bought yourself a Vespa, now's the time to do so. I think VespaUSA still has a financing program in effect.
Update March 2003 Whoa!! Gas Prices Over $2.00 A Gallon!
It'll be officially Spring here in the Pacific Northwest tomorrow, the war in Iraq has begun and gas prices well, we shall see. I uncovered the ET after a long winter sleep stored under a covered carport. No rust has developed on any of the replaced chrome trim pieces. I tried starting it and it started only after two tries. The battery held it's charge. I washed and applied some Meguire's wax and then rode it in the rain the other day. Still no regrets in my purchase of the ET and I think it will get much wider use especially as gas prices edge up.
Update March 2006
I'm still commuting on the Vespa to and from the office daily now that I'm only 3 miles away from work. I just had my third service which included replacement of the drive belt rollers (variator). The belt was unstretched and exhibited little wear so that didn't need to be replaced. My front shock however was blown, I guess from hitting too many potholes and was also replaced at this service. The odometer this morning read 4,884 miles. Now on its fifth year and still no regrets on this purchase!
Update April 2007
Odometer reading 6289
I just had the drive belt replaced as well as the watch battery that powers the LCD clock display on the instrument panel. I've also purchased replacement plastic panels to repair the areas that were damaged when I was cut off in traffic last August.
The ET series was replaced in the Vespa line as of last year with the LX model with more angular body lines. I wanted to get the prepainted panels before they become no longer available. I will have the metal repaired and repainted next week before the damaged panels are replaced. I've considered stepping up into a larger scooter (200cc) but since I'm restoring my ET, I will have a brand new scooter that I already own outright.
For the record, premium gas is now 3.19 a gallon.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 3950.00
Condition: New
Model Year: 2001
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
h2c911sc
|
|
Location: Seattle, WA
Reviews written: 45
Trusted by: 3 members
About Me:
Architect and Free-lance Photo-journalist
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.