I drive 10 miles to work each day/20 total. I currently usually drive a diesel pickup with around 14 mpg. The Accord gets 23 or 24, but my wife drives that. I am considering buying a Vespa (around 60 mpg, premium gas only) or similar scooter for cheaper commuting expenses (since I can't buy a "real" electric commuter car), so I am comparing the estimated costs of a Vespa to the diesel. I'm asking for input as to if this is a good idea, and the 50 vs 150 choice ($900 price difference). I've just started considering this, so I don't have all the data yet. This would be for commuting, not fun.
I would not drive the scooter on Interstate highways or in rain or very cold weather.
I last drove a motorcycle 30 years ago. 3 minor accidents and I'd had enough.
I'd likely take the course to learn the skills and obtain the motorcycle/scooter DL endorsement for VA.
The route does have some hills, so the 150cc is more likely than the 50cc- plus the 150cc has an electronic key that reduces the likelihood of theft.
Max speed on the commute would be 45 mph. Commuting would be about the only use. I can walk to a grocery for small runs, and big runs would require a car anyway- limited cargo carrying on these scooters.
I'm actually considering the Vespa LX150 for about $4300, or the Piaggio Fly150 for about $3400, or possibly the Kymco 125 for about $2,000. Piaggio also makes the Vespa and the Fly is the leading contender right now. The Kymco is Chinese and I have concerns about parts support (I have a Kipor generator that never had a functioning charger for the electric start, warranty was worthless and I can't even PAY someone to fix it, much less find the parts to do it myself.).
I have not learned what the additional insurance expense would be. There's regular maintenance costs to be factored in, too, and I understand they're not cheap.
I've done a spreadsheet with the following assumptions:
Premium gas now at $3.50, diesel at $2.90. Expected annual fuel price increases: 8%.
260 working days a year, 20 miles a day, but figuring on using the scooter only about 75% of the time. Annual rounded mileage, about 4,000. After 5 years the thing has paid for itself, yet will still have residual value, so I'm way ahead. It's a hedge on massive fuel price increases. But this doesn't include hospitalization expenses if someone decides to bump into me.
Any other concerns I haven't addressed? Any thoughts on good idea/bad idea?
I would not drive the scooter on Interstate highways or in rain or very cold weather.
I last drove a motorcycle 30 years ago. 3 minor accidents and I'd had enough.
I'd likely take the course to learn the skills and obtain the motorcycle/scooter DL endorsement for VA.
The route does have some hills, so the 150cc is more likely than the 50cc- plus the 150cc has an electronic key that reduces the likelihood of theft.
Max speed on the commute would be 45 mph. Commuting would be about the only use. I can walk to a grocery for small runs, and big runs would require a car anyway- limited cargo carrying on these scooters.
I'm actually considering the Vespa LX150 for about $4300, or the Piaggio Fly150 for about $3400, or possibly the Kymco 125 for about $2,000. Piaggio also makes the Vespa and the Fly is the leading contender right now. The Kymco is Chinese and I have concerns about parts support (I have a Kipor generator that never had a functioning charger for the electric start, warranty was worthless and I can't even PAY someone to fix it, much less find the parts to do it myself.).
I have not learned what the additional insurance expense would be. There's regular maintenance costs to be factored in, too, and I understand they're not cheap.
I've done a spreadsheet with the following assumptions:
Premium gas now at $3.50, diesel at $2.90. Expected annual fuel price increases: 8%.
260 working days a year, 20 miles a day, but figuring on using the scooter only about 75% of the time. Annual rounded mileage, about 4,000. After 5 years the thing has paid for itself, yet will still have residual value, so I'm way ahead. It's a hedge on massive fuel price increases. But this doesn't include hospitalization expenses if someone decides to bump into me.
Any other concerns I haven't addressed? Any thoughts on good idea/bad idea?
