Would I be mad to swap my car for a scooter?
Discussion
Before the automatic PH "yes" answer comes in, hear me out. I'm a student, 20 years old, 3 years car NCB. Not driven my car for nearly a year due to the massive cost of keeping it at halls of residence (weekly parking charges > weekly fuel cost) but am going to need my own transportation for second year, as our new house is 3.5 miles away from the University (before you ask why, we couldn't find anywhere close to our uni with an HMO, weird but true. Its right next to RGU which is OK for my mate's girlfriend, but bad for me and him, who are at Aberdeen Uni). Anyway, it'd take us just over an hour to walk, which means leaving at 7:30am to make it in for morning lectures. The bus is marginally quicker, bit oweing to recent experiences, I'd rather remove my own testicles in a vice than take public transport. So the realistic option is to bring my car up. Not any hassle with the insurance, it'll be fully paid for, and our house has a garage which is always a good thing.
But recently, I've been attracted to old scooters. Yes, its partly due to my love of Quadrophenia, great album and a great movie, but somehow I'm almost able to justify it. It'd be half as much in insurance costs, running costs will probably be much cheaper, and if I sold my car to get one, I'd have some spare cash left over for a classic mini project. The only downsides I can see are I would only do the CBT, so my friend wouldn't be able to get a ride into uni with me, I don't suppose I could fit a weekly shop on the back, and seeing as its a 500 mile trip to home, I don't think a scooter would be much fun.
However, I'm kinda tempted by one of the below, buy it, spend a few quid sticking the mod mirrors on it and I can live out my Quadrophenia fantasies, only Aberdeen beach is a fair bit colder than Brighton.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1553754.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1735662.htm
b
ks, just thought; am I right in thinking that because the Lambretta is actually a 150cc, I couldn't ride it with a CBT? If so this Vespa wouldn't be much good either, despite being much cheaper so I'd have money left over for mirrors etc http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1738411.htm
But recently, I've been attracted to old scooters. Yes, its partly due to my love of Quadrophenia, great album and a great movie, but somehow I'm almost able to justify it. It'd be half as much in insurance costs, running costs will probably be much cheaper, and if I sold my car to get one, I'd have some spare cash left over for a classic mini project. The only downsides I can see are I would only do the CBT, so my friend wouldn't be able to get a ride into uni with me, I don't suppose I could fit a weekly shop on the back, and seeing as its a 500 mile trip to home, I don't think a scooter would be much fun.
However, I'm kinda tempted by one of the below, buy it, spend a few quid sticking the mod mirrors on it and I can live out my Quadrophenia fantasies, only Aberdeen beach is a fair bit colder than Brighton.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1553754.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1735662.htm
b
ks, just thought; am I right in thinking that because the Lambretta is actually a 150cc, I couldn't ride it with a CBT? If so this Vespa wouldn't be much good either, despite being much cheaper so I'd have money left over for mirrors etc http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1738411.htm i would say no mate ,for a few reasons,you cant take anyone around with you,they are awful to ride in crap/cold/wet weather and unless you have real good wet weather gear you will get wet somewhere on your body,they are prone to being pinched and easy to take,why dont you get good push bike and cycle when its nice weather and maybe cadge a lift or go on bus when its cold.also old lambrettas always need fixing my uncle had one and it was in bits more than on the road.
I'm in a similar position to you, my house is about 4 miles away from my uni.
All of the people in my house, including me, had cars until last term when one of them had to get rid of his. I drive in every day, but when we have differant scheduals and cant get a lift (3-4 days a week) he rides his peddle bike. Its fine now the weather is good, but it was a pain in the arse for him when it was raining or freezing cold.
I also had a 50cc scrambler when I was 16, although it was good transport at the time I could never live without the practicality of a car now.
Stick with the car, its not worth the hassel having the bike. Bikes need more regular servicing, are cold in winter, give you hat hair, you can take mates anywhere and you cant take them to the supermarket.
All of the people in my house, including me, had cars until last term when one of them had to get rid of his. I drive in every day, but when we have differant scheduals and cant get a lift (3-4 days a week) he rides his peddle bike. Its fine now the weather is good, but it was a pain in the arse for him when it was raining or freezing cold.
I also had a 50cc scrambler when I was 16, although it was good transport at the time I could never live without the practicality of a car now.
Stick with the car, its not worth the hassel having the bike. Bikes need more regular servicing, are cold in winter, give you hat hair, you can take mates anywhere and you cant take them to the supermarket.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 25th May 18:24
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