For the last year I have been drooling over the Piaggio MP3 (NO this is not a music player). I learned they planned to make a hybrid version that would get 145 MPG! After more than a year of waiting, I needed to make a decision. I also have a friend that was getting her motorcycle license and the stars started to align….
I decided I would get my license and start looking at the inventory and pricing for the MP3. I made a reservation with the DMV for December 26th to go down and take my written test. I also started looking for safety classes. There is a place near our house that offers training. begin2ride.com is the place. I called them and got a really bad vibe from the woman I talked to on the phone. She contradicted things on their web site, and did her best to convince me I should not take the class. She was helpful enough to refer me somewhere else.
I found out that if you take the 15 hour class from: http://www.saferide4u.com/ you don’t have to take the skills test at the DMV. I was all for that and signed up with my friend. I am scheduled to take the class next weekend.
December 26th rolled around and I went to the DMV for my appointment. This is the first time since 1988 that I have been inside a DMV. Everything I have ever needed to do I could do via AAA. I went to the line that said “START HERE”. I told them I had an appointment. I was handed a clip board and told fill it out and come back. Other than wanting my SSN it was a standard application form, I didn’t know that paying social security was a requirement to get a license? I then went back in line to turn in the form and she handed me a scrap of paper with a letter/number on it. I then had to wait again. I waited almost 20 minutes. My number was then called and I went to see what the next step was. I handed the man my license and he did an eye exam. He then printed some papers and ask for my money. (good thing I had cash with me, as I forgot I needed $28 fee). He then told me to go somewhere else to wait in line.
I got in the new line and waited almost 15 more minutes. They took my paperwork, a new photo, digital signature, thumb print and returned me “TWO!” tests. I had to take the class C test as well as the class M test. Fortunately, someone warned me about this so I did all the sample tests online. I spent a while on both tests because I wanted to make sure I did well. I can’t stand multiple choose tests, I always do bad. I finished both tests and returned the test and “waited” again for the test to be graded. Another 20 minutes later, I was called up and given my permit and told I passed.
I was at the DMV for over 2.5 hours. What a frustrating time. When I got my car licenses way back, the permit/driving skills test combined didn’t even take 2 hours. I wonder how long it would have taken without an appointment. Last time I visited the DMV with an appointment, I went to a special room and was in and out in 15 minutes. My, how things have changed.
Ok, with permit in hand I decided it was time to go visit the Piaggio (Vespa) dealer. I went to Vespa of Poway. I had a hard time trying to find the place because it’s not a separate building. Apparently they are part of a Mitsubishi dealership. I pulled into the lot and found the place closed <sigh>. There was a sign that told me to go to the main lobby. I popped into the showroom and spent some time chatting with the salesman there. I found him quite knowledgeable. I explained that I was interested in buying by the end of the year and asked if there were any specials or deals. He said there were not. I walked away disappointed because I would have been willing to purchase right then. But as I mentioned, the stars were aligned and it was a sign not to buy there.
I spent the next few days doing a ton of research online and ran across the modern vespa boards This was the single most helpful sight about Vespa’s and the MP3. I made a decision that I was not going to purchase from the Poway dealer. I didn’t get the warm fuzzies from them and several people pointed out to me they are a car dealer that has Vespa’s and not a real active business in the scooter community. I noticed on the vespa board several people highly recommending Vespa of Oceanside, I even noticed some postings from people who work at the store.
I shot an email to the Vespa of San Diego, sister store to Oceanside as it was closest to me and asked them about deals on the Piaggio. I corresponded back and forth for a little while and we worked out a good deal. I was very impressed at how fast they replied and their willingness to deal, unlike Poway who would not extend their own special that just expired a few days earlier or seemed to care if they sold me a scooter or not.
Other than the horrible parking down on University avenue (I ended up parking two blocks away and walking to save my sanity) the entire experience was quote pleasant. I arrived at the store, a small botique store on University, between 4th and 5th streets. When I arrived, my sales person Jyson was busy with someone else, so I browsed around the store. They had three MP3’s there. A 500 (all black) and two silver 400’s. (So anyone looking for some, hurry and get down there). I also saw a few really nice Vespa’s I would consider buying for Angie if she decides to get her motorcycle license and ride with me. I spent a little time trying to make my final decision on the 500 vs the 400. Ultimately, I settled back on my original decision to get the Passion Red MP3-500. I do this to myself all the time, but I feel I am making the right decision when I finally do decide. I think I tend to drive sales folks nuts because I come off as indecisive, but I am just trying to make sure I am making the best decision for myself. This has worked for me for over 30 years, as I rarely ever return anything or have buyers remorse after a large value purchase.
We wrote up the sale, took care of my financing with USAA and did a brief walk through of the 500 he had on the show room floor. I then scheduled delivery of my new scooter for Friday. I am really excited about this purchase. I feel the same way the first time I purchased a car. (and pretty close to the same price, LOL). I now need to clean out the garage so I can fit it in there.
[update] I have posted photos in my gallery http://www.yourservice.com/photogallery/main.php?g2_itemId=2174