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It's called a 2009 Yamaha Vino Classic scooter (Alpine White)! I purchased it two days before Christmas. $2,290 out the door. Yamaha says it gets 112 mpg, but in real world conditions, I'm getting maybe 98 mpg on my little 4-stroker. I'm not sure yet as I haven't even used a complete tank of gas!
They're not for everyone of course but if you live in an urban area, especially a small city like Charlotte, NC, scooters are perfect. I live 2.5 miles from downtown and my job is actually half a mile closer. Sure, riding a bike would probably be the best choice as that would create zero-emissions but while burning calories is admirable, pedaling in the summer here in North Carolina is no fun! I did just that much of last year.
Anyway, check your state laws. In North Carolina, one doesn't have to register, insure, or pay property taxes on 49cc scooters. Those larger (ie., 125cc and higher), require you to jump through hoops with all the registration stuff. While I wish mine went faster than 38 mph, it's a perfect commuter vehicle for non-interstate travel, plus I can park it on sidewalks and secure/lock it to various unmovable objects instead of paying for parking.
My old '91 Volvo sedan will hopefully see no more than 5,500 miles this year.
Concerning Mark Benjamin's purchase, it indeed seems a bit hypocritical but he says it gets better gas mileage than his old Volvo wagon so that's a good thing. I agree with those of you however who feel he could have made a better choice.
Do consider a scooter for transportation. It would be pretty cool to see our urban areas ultimately overrun with scooters much like Bangkok and Calcutta (without those countries' other problems of course). They are a blast and certainly environmentally friendly!
