The post about the Vespa reminded me of a question about used cars.

Can you get those in Italy (easily) and are they very expensive (like a Passat) or similar size. Perhaps a little smaller, but big enough for 4 minimum. (Just to tool around, not to carry oodles of luggage.)

Finding used cars is easy. Having the correct paperwork is the challenge. You must have residency in Italy to buy a car.

We bought a used car here through the Renault dealership (at least here in Siena most dealerships also sell used cars) and there is also a magazine type thing (with the newsprint pages) where people advertize used cars for sale. Our car is a 2 door Renault Clio and we paid 4400 euros for it about 2 years ago. Darn, can't remember what year the car is...maybe a '93? Probably cheaper to buy through a private source but this gave us a warranty.

Hope this helps, Marcy

Very cool. Thanks. I assumed you could, but it isn't like car dealerships line the streets in Italy.

Re: residency--we will probably pay for it but really have someone who lives there (in our family) BUY it.

You can also try autoscout 24. It's really helpful to get an idea about prices, etc.

kat

any idea where i can buy an ape, who make them??

I believe the Ape (Bee) is made by Piaggio, the same people who make the Vespa (Wasp).

I don't know where you buy them, but they greatly amused my children, who called them tricycle trucks, and played a variant of punch-buggy when they saw them.

PG

yes they are great, i have a small 'box' attached to the house i have bought in italy and it would be good to have one to zoom about in when i am there, but i assume they are not recommended for motorway travel??

Just as there's a minimum engine size for motorbikes to be allowed on UK motorways, I'm pretty sure there is a similar restriction in Italy. No, keep the Ape for the little roads!

Jonathan (not so very far from Bristol)