to just have fun with, or to get around mainly on?

It would be my main vehicle, mostly to drive to work and on short errands. It would be all city driving, though, and I am part of a car-sharing program (zipcar), so I have that as a transportation option, as well.

do you live somewhere where it rains alot? I had one and I just found that It rained too much for me to enjoy it!

You would be so cute on a vespa!

my suggestion is get a harley.

~~~~~

The man who speaks to you of sacrifice, speaks of slaves and masters. And intends to be the master.

I don't know if I trust being on a Vespa with crazy DC drivers! Get a GOOD helmet!!!

It rains sometimes, but not a lot. (I live in D.C.)

Brooke, I couldn't handle a Harley! I'm not sure I could handle a Vespa. (Although, I love riding on Harleys.)

Anyway, I am off to job #2, where I don't get to sit in front of a computer. I will be back tonight, though.

That's okay lil, i can't handle a harley either, but i sure do love riding on the back.

I think a vespa would be fun! but i don't know much about them to give you advice.

~~~~~

The man who speaks to you of sacrifice, speaks of slaves and masters. And intends to be the master.

3M used to own one. PM him, I am sure he can give you lots of advice on them.

Absolute power, corrupts absolutely.

OK, so. I used to have a Vespa (an ET2, which is discontinued). Loved it... until it was stolen by a 12-year-old kid. If I had to do it again, I probably wouldn't buy such an expensive scooter unless I could garage it. Just being honest.

If you're in a city that doesn't have too many hills, you can probably get away with a 50cc Vespa for city streets. Mine could hit about 35-40mph without feeling asthmatic. But for the same amount of money, you could buy a 150cc Stella, which is a lot more powerful and still delivers the classic Vespa frame/look. And I think you can take those on larger roads, maybe even highways. I'd probably do that, personally, since a lot of what you're paying for with Vespa is the Piaggio name. (They're gorgeous scooters, but, I'm just saying, the name and import fees aren't worth the $$ to me.)

So, my vote: Buy a Buddy if you just want a commuter scooter, buy a Stella if you want more power and the look of vintagey Vespas, and buy a Vespa if you are OK with paying mostly for the name and not so much for the CC. FWIW most of the scooter nerds I know do not look down on Stellas, and if they do, they're tools anyway.

Happy scootering, quadropheniac!

Thanks, Bella! I will take all of that in to consideration. I'm in D.C., so hills aren't really a big concern. I will want it mostly for city driving, but I'm still going back and forth on whether I would want the ability to drive on highways if need be...It's something I'll have to think about.

And I will definitely look into the Stellas! I know aesthetics shouldn't be the most important thing, but I do like the look of the Vespas. If Stellas have the same look, though, I will have to check them out.

Good luck driving in the snow. Every time I have been there I had to wade through a ton of snow. I must go on off season. Is there an off-season in DC?