Saving for a Motor Scooter to Save Gas and the Environment

I’ve been spending the last two months researching various brands of motor scooters, used and new, and saving my money to buy one.

I’ve decided on a Honda Metropolitan.  Although the Metropolitan will only reach about 35 to 40 MPH, it gets 90 to 100 MPG–which was what sold me on the scooter.  It is intended for in-town driving only as it doesn’t reach speeds high enough to take it on the highways, but if the bulk of your driving IS in-town, than this scooter is made for the job.

The Metropolitan is a retro-styled 49cc scooter, which means that in most states it is classified as a moped and doesn’t require a special motorcycle license or provision.  It is street legal and does require insurance and a driver’s license, as well as registration, but the insurance and registration, (according to the research I have done), will generally cost less than $200 to $300 a year.

Of course, there are bigger and better scooters out there that go much faster, but if you don’t need to reach speeds higher than 35 to 40 MPH for your daily errands or commutes, a 49cc scooter will suffice and will also prevent you (in most states) from having to obtain a motorcycle license.

Used, the Metropolitan can go for around $1000 and up.  (If I end up buying used, I am 1/4 to 1/3 of the way there!)  The new Honda Metropolitan has a MSRP of $1,899.  I still haven’t decided whether to buy new or used, and ultimately it depends and what kind of deals I am able to find on Craigslist, but I’m hoping to make this green purchase in the next three months or so–and sell my gas-guzzling 1992 Jeep Cherokee immediately afterward!

Motor Scooter T-Shirts & Gifts:  http://www.cafepress.com/greenlinegifts/5558301

To contribute to Vicki’s quest to buy a motor scooter on a shoestring budget, you may click on the above link and buy a T-shirt or a button, or to donate a few dollars via paypal, click on the following link:  http://used-scooter-marketplace.tripod.com/