2343 To Ape or not to Ape.....

There is a second hand market for them, around 1000 euro should get you a good 'un, plus the transfer charges of course, insurance and tax both cheap, going up hill is very slow, but the downhill white knuckle stuff can be interesting, there is a dealer in Piediripa commercial zone, but in the meantime, drool...[url]http://www.it.vtl.piaggio.com/web.htm[/url] Grrrrrrr.

[QUOTE=GeorgeS]There is a second hand market for them, around 1000 euro should get you a good 'un, plus the transfer charges of course, insurance and tax both cheap, going up hill is very slow, but the downhill white knuckle stuff can be interesting, there is a dealer in Piediripa commercial zone, but in the meantime, drool...[url]http://www.it.vtl.piaggio.com/web.htm[/url] Grrrrrrr.[/QUOTE]
Thanks GeorgeS
When you say cheap to tax and insure How cheap?? We are both in our fifties good driving records. Is it cheaper to add to main car insurance or insure separately? The 'white knuckle stuff sounds fun:D . I take it the brakes ain't that hot then:eek: Uphill sounds marginally slower than a 4x4 new model Panda then::)

Dunno Duck, haven't got one, but the tax based on Horse Power, insurance based around engine size and power too, so, will be cheap, the really old Panda 4x4's can get up hills quickly enough for me. Ape's, small engine, small wheels, small brakes which heat up quickly, also one wheel at the front aint exactly the most stable way to set up a downhill machine. My insurance company doesn't "add" cars to the policy, they raise a separate policy I believe.

Hi

You can buy APEs on ebay!!Look at the Italian ebay site.It surprised us to see how much they cost considering the engine size.The piaggio web site gives you all the stats.

good luck be ape!!

Hi Tekkytyke -

I was wondering if you found an Ape? I'm hoping to buy one later this year when I make the move to Italy. I've heard that an Ape 50 doesn't need to be registered (taxed?) as it is considered a moped, which, if true, may enable me to buy one immediately (ie, before being granted residence). Does anyone have any ideas? I should add that I will be moving from Australia, so will be arriving without a vehicle, and the expense of renting a car until being granted residence doesn't bear thinking about.

John

They still need to be insured and taxed, although both costs should be low, there are several threads about how it is possible to register a car without residency, but everyone I know who has tried has had major problems with either the registration or the insurance, but, use the search button and try anyway...

I believe the very tiny apes, which at the moment you can drive without a licence (I have a bit of an idea this might change, but maybe only for youngsters) can be taxed and insured like mopeds - one cheap size fits all.

However, given the cost of second hand apes, and the steep hill, do make sure one of these will actually do the job you want it to. A second hand 4x4 Panda (old type) could be a more versatile solution (though the ape wins on streed cred.....!)

Thanks GeorgeS and Relaxed. I looked up the thread, but the possibility of registering a car without residency is said to be for EU citizens only. Most unfortunately, I am not an EU citizen! It would certainly make life simpler for me at the moment if I were.........

John

You have raised an interesting point - because I am not sure whether the little apes, and mopeds, (which carry a different sort of number plate from other vehicles) come into the same category as cars from the point of view of the vehicle registration authorities.

It may be that a non-resident can own one of these without contravening anything. Notaio might know about this!

In order to register (own) a car in Italy all you need is a ppermesso di soggiorno and to make a declaration that you have a domocile here in Italy - the domicile is the address at which you will register the vehicle. If you don't/won't have a domicile you can nominate a third party perhaps an "AGENZIA DI PRATICHE AUTO" at any rate they could help you through the process if they are well informed.

The relevant legislation is DPR445 28/12/2000.

If you speak Italian then read up on it at:

[url]http://www.magaglio.com/file_documenti/immatricolazioni_residenti_esteri_3.pdf[/url]

If not ask the seller to check it out or seek assistance at your local "AGENZIA DI PRATICHE AUTO"

It is not always easy to convince the people at ACI but with perseverance you or your Italian speaking moderator should prevail.

And the average wait for a permesso is only around three months, so, by the end of the summer brumm, brumm....

Not sure what the actual average is but ours took just ten days. My wife was made to feel very unimportant when she went along to the Questura so I decided to go in polished shoes, big overcoat and with a big leather briefcase, a big knotted Hermes tie and attitude. A policeman/bouncer even opened the door for me. :D

:rolleyes: [QUOTE=GeorgeS]And the average wait for a permesso is only around three months, so, by the end of the summer brumm, brumm....[/QUOTE]

What are you suggesting as an alternative George...puff, puff?:rolleyes:

[url]http://www.macchinesenzapatente.it/[/url]
The Ligier looks cute... Find the BE Up. wowww, get the surfboard dude...:)