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Is your family tired of the financial burden of two or more vehicles? Consider these alternatives.
For the last 6 years, my wife and I have shared 1 automobile. With a few minor exceptions, this arrangement has worked very well and has saved us the expenses associated with a second car. However, as our family has grown, so to has our need to be in different places at the same time, making the sharing of one vehicle impractical.
For many growing families, especially those living in rural or suburban areas with limited access to public transportation, a second mode of transportation has become a necessity of modern day life. You may find that even though your current situation requires an additional mode of transportation, you may not necessarily need a second “car”.
One of our forum members suggests a scooter:
… a vehicle that gets over 80 mpg, goes over 60 mph, costs $1999, and can do “most” of what you would use a second car for. Trip to the store for supplies? Gotta run to the bank? Commute to work? Got an after work meeting to attend? A motor scooter could be an economical and fun alternative.
Most states do require a motorcycle endorsement for scooters over 50cc. A weekend course runs about $200. Liability insurance here in Maine for a married father of two with a house and car is $75 a year. Registration is nominal as well even with excise taxes here in Maine. The scooter has an MSRP of $1999. This can vary depending on what brand you buy and how well you can maintain machines yourself. “Top Boxes” are an easy accessory that allows increased carrying capacity. It attaches to the rear of the scooter. If you don’t want to get a motorcycle license and live in town a 50 cc scoot can do the same for you but at 100 mpg and 35+- mph.
Most modern scooters are “twist and go” meaning no shifting. It’s not for everyone but if you want to put some fun back in your day and save some serious money in maintenance and fuel a scooter may just be a good alternative. Here is the scooter I just received to do a review of. It is a Fly Scooters La Vie.
For more information on this and other scooters, check out the ScootDawg Scooter Forum.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks Captain Obvious. I never heard of this “walking” or “bike” thing before, but they sound fantastic.
“Captain Obvious” I like it!
I’m going to call the Coast Guard tomorrow and see if I can get it added as an endorsement to my master’s license.
Ben Dinsmore, Master of Steam and Mortor vessel of any gross tonnage; also, master of the obvious! Perfect!
Thanks for reading!