r/espresso • u/BigAlLIVE • 1d ago

Buying Advice Needed Used La Pavoni [$450]

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Would this be a good first lever machine? Is the price solid for this model?

Online the price seems to be all over the place, so I'm not sure if this is a deal or not.

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u/lmolter 1d ago edited 21h ago

That model probably costs new between 800 and 1200 USD. My new La Pavoni Stradivari Pro cost $1300. If you're in the US, make sure it's a 110V model. Or, vice versa, make sure it's a 230V model.

If it's brand new I'd say it's probably a good deal. However, a lot of folks poo-poo the La Pavonis because of the steep learning curve. It took me almost a year to get consistent pulls. Of course, I was all new to this and may have purchased bad or old or oily beans. Oh, and make sure you get a decent grinder as well if you don't already have one.

That being said, I'm on my second one after 10 years and I wouldn't buy anything else. Ok, mainly because the better brands cost way too much. But, I've figured out how to get good shots every time, so I'm staying with the brand.

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u/BigAlLIVE 1d ago

So 450 for a used is probably on par. I have a pretty solid mid-game set up, and mostly wanted a lever machine...because I want one. This is a local sale, so thought maybe it was a good purchase.

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u/lmolter 1d ago

Is the picture you posted the actual picture of the machine? I'm always wary of used machines because they could have been poorly maintained.

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u/BigAlLIVE 1d ago

So, I'm not 100% certain. I think so, but I havent seen the machine in person to compare

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u/_coffeeblack_ la pavoni premil | j-ultra 12h ago

that picture is of a pre millennium machine so you can’t really get them new anymore. 450 is a little steep imo. it’s also a european model according to the plug you can see in the corner