Modern Vespa

First off, hello all I am new to the club. I was wondering how much do you guys spend on gas in a week. I commute from Suisun City Ca to Napa Ca which is 23 miles one way. I currently drive a 1995 ford taurus. I want to get this scooter to save on gas. I plan to keep the taurus for rainy days. I was also wondering how long does it take to get one? I was thinking about getting a smart car but that is over a year and a half wait. If you put a 1000 dollar down for the deposit would that go towards the down payment of the scooter?
Thanks D

I average $32.00 a week on gas, and I drive a Smart. It is true there is a year and a half wait, but there is a way around it.

When you decide you want one, go to the dealer, test drive it (you'll find that it rides very much like a bike) and sign up for the reservation program. It is a refundable $99.00 that puts you in the system. Tell the saleman that you will take an orphan if and when they become available.

An orphan? Those are the cars that finally come in, and the ones who ordered it do not want it anymore. They did not pay for it yet (and the $99 is refundable), so they are not out anything, and the dealership now has a car with no owner. They do not get the comission until it changes hands, so they will start calling the waiting list. Since you told the salesman that you would take one, you will be on the waiting list.

To make it easier for that poor salesman, call the dealership daily/weekly (depends on how badly you want one) and ask them if an orphan came in. You will be quickly put to the top of the list, because they get tired of hearing from you (be polite, of course).

When I put my $99 in the program, I went to the dealership (I did it online) and talked to the salesman. I told him I signed up for a yellow, but I would take anyone except the black or white. My husband called the dealership daily... In one week, they called me and told me they had a silver. I had the money available (financing all ready set up with my bank), so all I had to do was write out what I owed and I drove off the lot. I think it helped that the salesman/dealership knew that I had financing already lined up.

We sent flowers to the poor receptionist - since she was the one who had to put up with the daily calls! Orphans come in every week, and in some cases, every day, so you never know.

My MP3 takes about 2.5 gallons every 2 weeks, but I only ride 1 to 3 times a week. May change if I get to ride with the scoot group here..

I commute to work during the week (approx 26mi round trip) and I have to fill up about once per week to the tune of about $11/tank.

I don't commute and I fill up on average with GBP11 worth of petrol a day - one fill on average per day mind.

Be grateful the US still has cheap fuel.

I commute to and from work M-F, 24 miles round trip. I usually am able to do it on one fill up for the whole week. I use 92 octane and at the current price my fill up has cost 10.67 cents for 2.65 gallons for the last two weeks running.

Sometimes I may have to top off on Thursday evening or Friday morning if I run any errands in additions to going back and forth to work.

I've been using the 250 primarily as my commuter vehicle. I've got a 30 mile round trip and fill-up either on the ride home Thursday or into work on Friday. Just love the platform due to the mileage, storage capabilites and fun factor!

Just one last thing, we may have cheaper fuel prices than those across the pond in Europe, but isn't the cost over there due to the social "entitlements" programs that are currently in place?

It's just 'tax' into the general purse - but justified by those who try to do such things as putting pressure on those who make unnecessary journeys.

Actually I agree with high petrol prices - I'd rather high petrol prices than other taxes on vehicles. Let those who rack up lots of miles pay the most for the roads, police, ER etc. Plus oil is a finite resource - I am being rather hypocritical by using it while I can, my kids may not have that luxury sadly.

I like this books theory....Black Gold Stranglehold: The Myth of Scarcity and the Politics of Oil

However, I will give you this: drastic causes are often necessary to change one's habits though.

Anyhow, I'm a "mini-fan" of your posts. Keep it up & here's to a great week!

Probably $40.00 a week..But ask me if I care...

Smart Cars aren't too smart... They are less roomy, less luxurious, get worse gas mileage, and pollute more than a prius.

I don't think you know what you are talking about. They are VERY roomy - my 6'6" husband fits in it, without kissing his knees. Mileage varies of course - I live in the hill country and average 38-41 depending on fast I drive.

Don't know much about the pollution, don't care. Luxurious? If I want that, I'll get a high end. It actually is very nice on the inside.

anyway.

If I commute (I'm a wimp about the cold) it is about 50 miles round trip. Unless I decide to take twisty backroads going home instead of highway :lol: . I am capping off on 92 octane at about every other day to the tune of $4. As stated in earlier threads, my MP3 doesn't really LIKE the ethanol, but the nearest no ethanol station to me is about 15 miles the OTHER direction from work.

My commute is the exact same as yours 23 miles each way or 230 miles per week so it works out to about 3.5 gal (I get about 65 mpg on my 250).

Back when this thread was started I was paying between 12 and 13 dollars a week for my commute. Now it is down to about $6.00.