Uneconomical Taxi's

[CYMR0]

In Poland recently I saw a couple of petrol-powered 90s American cars used as taxis, nothing exciting though but I wouldn't fancy fuelling a Ford Taurus V6 out of a Polish taxi fare (their petrol prices are similar to ours, their fares aren't).

There are also a few Mercedes S500s knocking around London, allegedly as minicabs.

[G600]

AMD87 said:

Welwyn? There was a Subaru taxi there a few years ago.

[lamboman100]

Given that most businesses in the UK are run at a loss or below-inflation profit levels, it wouldn't be a surprise if the taxi owner was wholly unaware of how he could cut costs by running a cheaper or newer model.

Having said that, he may have a cracking finance deal, or owe zero money, on the car, so it could be a profitable taxi car, for all anyone knows.

[vinnie83]

lamboman100 said:

Given that most businesses in the UK are run at a loss or below-inflation profit levels, it wouldn't be a surprise if the taxi owner was wholly unaware of how he could cut costs by running a cheaper or newer model.

Having said that, he may have a cracking finance deal, or owe zero money, on the car, so it could be a profitable taxi car, for all anyone knows.

But surely the point would be, assuming there were zero costs and the car all paid for, the fuel costs on a big petrol engined V8 for example would still cost a huge amount more in fuel costs per year than a normal diesel car.

You could very possibly turn a profit driving the V8 but why would you do that when you could earn a hell of a lot more if you had a normal taxi?

[paulw123]

Had a very nice Audi A8 taxi in Malia a few years ago. only cost a few euros for the journey as well

[Loudy McFatass]

About 10 years ago I got a taxi from the centre of Birmingham - a white 4x4 Sapphire Cosworth.
I was literally pissing myself with excitement when it pulled up as I'd never been in one and always wanted one.

It wasn't standard either, was at stage 1 tune.

[Dapster]

THis has been in the interweb for a few years.

Cleangreencars.co.uk said:

London luxury car owners register Maseratis, Rolls Royces as C-charge-free private hire vehicles

Model Number Registered as private hire vehicles
Aston Martin DB7 1
Bentley (all models) 31
BMW M5 1
BMW X5 18
Cadillac Escalade 1
Jaguar XK 1
Range Rover 52
Maserati Quattroporte 2
Maybach 62 3
Rolls Royce Phantom 8

http://green.autoblog.com/2007/11/01/taxi-london-l...

[h0b0]

tomtom said:

h0b0 said:

Über in the US relies upon private cars as well as licensed cabs. So far mine have all bee dull but I'm waiting in hope for something interesting.

My Uber driver last night was telling me that they're restricted to certain cars that Uber deem suitable. In London, anyway.

It seems so far it is people in their company cars with "gas" cards. Much nicer than the typical ex cop car cabs I usually get.

[glasgowrob]

I must be missing a trick here(Taxi Driver)

its sore enough throwing £300 a week in diesel at a 2l TDCI Mondeo, dread to think what it must cost to run any legitimate taxi business with some of the things in this thread.

[brickwall]

Local taxi firm I use in Switzerland runs a couple of S500s, with all the toys inside.

No wonder they're so bloody expensive.

[Shurv]

Big engined exec cars are cheap to buy 2nd hand, will do interstellar mileages with frequent oil changes, are nice to drive and be driven in ( extra business) and aren't as complicated as modern diesels. Spending a bit more on fuel is a small cost against the benefits.

[KemP]

skyrover said:

Every single one of those yellow New York crown vic taxi's has a 4.6 litre V8 under the bonnet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Crown_Victoria#2...

Most of the cabs we got in NYC were not crown vics. There seems to be a lot more Ford hybrid Escapes and Toyotas now.

Shame as the crown vics are a lot more comfortable

[skyrover]

KemP said:

skyrover said:

Every single one of those yellow New York crown vic taxi's has a 4.6 litre V8 under the bonnet

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Crown_Victoria#2...

Most of the cabs we got in NYC were not crown vics. There seems to be a lot more Ford hybrid Escapes and Toyotas now.

Shame as the crown vics are a lot more comfortable

Yes ford stopped building them in 2011 so they are slowly being phased out

[T5SOR]

[mph1977]

glasgowrob said:

I must be missing a trick here(Taxi Driver)

its sore enough throwing £300 a week in diesel at a 2l TDCI Mondeo, dread to think what it must cost to run any legitimate taxi business with some of the things in this thread.

how many of them are 'spare' or 'toy' vehicles that have a plate on them in case they are needed and otherwise are the gaffers weekend car etc .

also in the real sticks or the highlands a 4*4 might well be an option for adverse weather

[dvs_dave]

Challo said:

In Orlando last year booked a couple of private taxi's. One was a Lincoln Navigator and the other a Chevy Suburban. Not exactly fuel efficient

At less than $3 a gallon, fuel cost isn't so much of a consideration....

[SkinnyP]

I asked this question when I got in a fancy taxi once.

The guy had paid off his mortgage and wanted a nicer car but still wanted the social aspect of driving a taxi.

Fair enough really.

[Momentofmadness]

I believe they can can claim the VAT back on fuel which helps a bit too

[Debaser]

Loudy McFatass said:

I was literally pissing myself with excitement when it pulled up as I'd never been in one and always wanted one.

And the driver still let you get in?

[RichTT]

Black Brabus Mercedes in Dundee but haven't seen it for a while.