On Stella's return:

What great news! It seems, whenever I park my Stella somewhere, I invariably have to answer questions about it. Most asked question: where can I get one? So far, I've had to reply, "Check the classifieds." Since I added a lockable cargo box and a front carrier, I've been using Stella as my prime shopping vehicle...a far better choice than my 15-mpg 1981 Chevy pickup.

I wish Mr. McCaleb and Genuine all the best. They've added a whole new level of enjoyment to everyday errands. — Peter Caroline

My tangerine Stella with matching sidecar has been a hit in Houston TX.  I call her a "sunshine maker" because she makes EVERYBODY smile (some of them even laugh right out loud)!  My daughter and I carpool in her every day (40 miles round trip), we use her for errands around town (our whole household will use any reason to get on her) and I use her for my backpacking trips.  I've had her seven (7) weeks, three (3) weeks of which she was down because of the kill switch and I have 988 miles on her as of this morning.

In this pic, I'm on Sunshine; my friends standing around me are students in one of the local collages learning about film making.  We used "Sunshine" for filming a short and the cameramen had the opportunity to work their magic from the back seat and the sidecar filming road ground shots, passing by plants, close-ups of myself and my co-star while traveling down the road etc.  It was a wonderful experience for everyone. Now between the kill switch, the short in the right turn blinker and now a battery problem.  If I can just keep her going she'll continue to be a wonder piece of equipment.

Thanks again! — Rebecca Beckwith

...I am also the proud owner of a beautiful red Stella that I purchased from Pride of Cleveland Scooters. I want to commend all of you for the fantastic work you've done in the past few years. As an entrepreneur myself, I understand the blood, sweat, and tears that it took to make Stella happen. You guys absolutely nailed every aspect of the scooter experience...everything from Stella, to the catalog, to the website. You actually trumped Vespa USA! Stunning job! — Thomas J. Burick

Dear wizards at Genuine Scooter Co;
OK, I haven't had a scoot since the 80's, and since that was a 4-stroke automatic I always suffered from the dreaded TSE (Two-Stroke Envy). My friends that had P and/or PX scoots always had more fun, I guess it's kinda like being blonde. Well, I sold my Riva it and grew up and never looked back... until last month when I saw a Stella. It was Love at first site, and with gas prices being what they are and my commute in my truck being what it is I was able to justify the expense with my accountant (aka: wife).

So after 1 month and over 1000 commuted miles (50 mile round trip per day), LOTS of money saved ,much fun had, and many heads turned I am selling my 2001 SUV and embracing Stella as my primary vehicle. I am having sooooo much fun!!!!! It's also very cool getting back into the scooter sub-culture which is THRIVING in Portland, OR. So here is my list of thanks...- Thank you Genuine for making an old-school scoot that is still fast enough, reliable enough, and solid enough for me to play with the "big boys" (like logging trucks) on the freeway everyday on my way to and from work. Crushing many an ego as I pass them along the way. - Thank you Shawn and Rob at Vespa of Portland for giving me a great deal.

- Thank you to my wife for endulging her 40 year old artist/musician/oddball husband with such an AMAZING de-stressing device.To close this little novel I would like to say that my Stella purchase has inspired two other people at my job to buy one (my goal is 6) and I get more nice compliments than I have ever had. Such as, when this very cute (and younger) girl from upstairs stopped me in the lobby and said that SHE had gotten the biggest compliment the other day. Someone asked if that was HER red scooter parked outside because she just looked like she would ride something THAT cool. Which of course was also a compliment for me. And the musicians at the rehearsal studio I play at all say "that scooter rocks!!" the pimped-out chrome package helps on this one. But when a SCOOTER can rock, you know all is right with the world.

Take care everyone and get on your scooters and ride!!! — Derek Reynolds

Hey GS,
Thanks for the "thank you" letter, air freshener and magnet.  I'm already contemplating purchasing a simple plastic postcard holder and affixing magnet strips on the back so I can stick it on my scooter when parked...you know, to spread the propaganda -- I mean, LOVE about Stella. Dave Rueve at Metro Scooter is THE MAN, and not in a bad way.  My husband and I sought out his shop to work on our VW, and I asked him if he knew anyone selling scooters in the area and...well, now I have an '04 mint green Stella and I am clearly the coolest kid on my block.  In fact, my husband is now plotting to find one of his own this summer - sort of a "handyman special".

Anyway, Dave has hooked me up with Stella swag (it seems like there's a freebie every time I'm at the shop), and even presented my 2-year-old with her very own Metro Scooter t-shirt when I picked up my helmet last week.  His love of scootering and knowledge about the bikes makes him a great salesguy (a label I'm pretty sure he would abhor) - and he even took time out of planning the recent Cincinnati rally to deliver my Stella to my home in the 'burbs so that I'd have it and could break it in before having surgery. I'll do what I can to spread the love (including slipping Stella/Metro postcards in with the eBay auctions I mail off!!).  THANKS for a great bike, a fun catalog, and excellent service.  I think the corporate auto folk could learn a few lessons from the bunch at Genuine and Metro. We'll say hello if we're ever in the windy city. — Angie (and Andy) Ferrell

I purchased my Stella from Dave at Metro Scooter in Cincinnati, Ohio. The bike is excellent (and so was the experience of buying it, but I'll get to that in a minute). Stella's a blast to ride and it's literally paying for itself with the fantastic mileage that I get - five bucks a week takes care of my commute! Plus, it looks great kitted out with chrome. Now, for the buying experience; I highly recommend Metro Scooter. Dave has a "one price for all policy" that is easy and refreshing. And, he and his staff are as knowledgeable as they are helpful. Dave goes out of his way to help (Thanks, Dave). If you are looking for a new scooter with classic character as well as intelligent, local service, check out and support Metro Scoot. — Bill L.

It's like an instant mood improver...I can be totally cranky and pissy, but I hop on my Stella and by the time I've hit second gear, I've got a smile on my face and forgotten about my stinky mood. My husband bought one as well (we didn't want to have to take turns!) and he loves his, too. He even rented Quadrophenia to check out the mods' scooters,and now has a mod backrest as well as a few other accessories on his. The backrest is sweet- I don't mind being a passenger with that thing on there.

Yours truly, — Kara Hancock