I have had cars for most of the last 13 years and I have never had a new or flash car. I expect 1 year for every $1,000 dollars I pay for a car. Yep I am a cheap b#stard, do most of my own maintenance, buy second parts when appropriate. last car I had cost me $800 ran on gas, and lasted me two years, I put some tyres on it. It still runs fine, leaks most fluids. I could fix it up but couldn't be stuffed. As a fixer upper it's still worth $400 and a little work makes it safe and roadworthy.
People are really ripped off by servicing, with CDI there is no timing to adjust, with fuel injection and sensors, there is no carby to tune. Change the oil and plug, clean or change the filters and it's done. Scooters are labour intensive because of all the bodywork to remove, but there is bugger all mechanical work to do. Same with modern cars. Scooters have the added work of the CVT which needs work at least every 20,000 Ks.
No sympathy for those whose only skill is their work and need to call a "guy" to mow the lawn and can't cook a meal. People join a auto club cause they cannot change a flat tyre. Call a landscaper cause they can't operate a shovel.
If you buy a maxi scoot and pay through the nose for services you could probably run a car for your family for the same price.
I don't claim to have all the skills for this techno world.
We live in a world where slave our @rses off for a week to pay for a service because all specialise only in what we do.
Thankfully it has come to the point where if you can do stuff yourself you barely need to work for a living.
In short, it can cost you heaps, or it can be very cheap if you are willing to learn to do stuff yourself push the limits and make educated judgements.
signed whinging old b@stard
Do more with less and do it yourself!!! It aint rocket science!!!!