I picked a mildly wrecked ruckus 50cc two years go for a screaming deal and I have to say, it is the only way to travel.
Registration is $13 a year in MN.
Insurance is $75.
Maintenance is minimal if you buy a name brand scooter. They are about the simplest thing to work on any way, not really a whole lot going on.
I have had 0 problems in almost 3,000 miles on mine. I have never gotten under 107mpg and I check every tank. I would say average is 110-115. Although I am a light weight, so that probably helps. In real terms I cut my gas expense from $2,000 to $1,000, although some of that was habit change of driving less in general, shortening my commute ect.
Cons
Its slow, it only goes 35 or so. So you need to be creative in your routes to and from places. I was amazed at how easy it is to find a way to most places, but it may not be so easy else where.
Biking is still a much better option, I consider my self lazy every time I ride it less than 5 miles.
Thats really about it. Every one else has a car, so if you need a ride some where or to pick something up, you could always throw some on a few bucks to borrow theirs.
If not for winter, I would sell my other vehicle in scooter year round. Yes I am a pansy.
But this about sums up how I feel on mine:
