Taxi Driver Online

Hello guys! This is my first post and I thought I'd come ask the good people who live and work with these vehicles for some knowledgeable advice.

I'm looking to buy a Fairway Driver to run as a second car. It won't even be a daily runner as I want something I can use as a basic camper (of sorts) and take to classic car shows. However I am planning a Euro road trip this summer. So although the daily mileage won't clock up it will get heavy use for 2/3 weeks in June next year.

Maybe you think I'm a bit crazy because you guys probably hate the thought of having one of these as a "hobby" car. But surely a decent Fairway Driver would be ideal for this trip? I'm handy with the spanners and have owned MKI Cortinas and Anglias in the past, so I know what classic ownership is all about. Been to Spain and Italy in those cars before so planning these trips is not new. They weren't exactly quiet/comfortable/economical either so I'm used to that. The Fairway can't be any worse. But I want to know what to look for when buying a cab as I have no experience of these particular vehicles.

Do any of the parts fit other vehicles?
How easy are they to work on?
What generally should I watch for?
If a vehicle is advertised as "ex London" is there a way to verify this?

I believe the PCO test for London cabs is very thorough so I'm thinking this is a sensible starting point. Or would I be just as well finding one anywhere if I plan to put parts into it? I fully appreciate that any vehicle I inspect will have worked for possibly 350K+ miles. I not expecting to find a "minter".

I intend to stock up on as many spares as possible for the summer trip. (possibly fit new parts and carry the removed parts as spares in certain cases).

I'd also like to add that I am a private hire driver myself (Leeds). So this is a bit of a busman's holiday perhaps. OK... maybe I am a bit mad!

I still struggle to understand why anyone would want a retired Taxi for anything other than preservation or scrap?

They're retired because they're worn out.

The youngest fairway is now pushing 12 years old, and typically the ones that are coming off the road are around 14/15 years old and have 500K on them.

You're just buying problems.

The rustic value appeals in various places outside London

CC

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

I forgot about Blackpool!

thing is there probally the best taxi built! everything is replaceable thats why we still want them in blackpool. Wouldnt swop mine until forced by ridiculous age restrictions

I saw a TX4 in Blackpool this week. Honestly. Just the one though. Most Blackpool drivers are still thinking about whether or not to upgrade to a TX1.

But did it have a Manchester plate on the back of it?

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IDFIMH

Even have age limit in blackpool now ,check it out its coming to everyone !If you dont get it on age youll get it on emissions.By the way have a fairway and tx2 and honestly choose the fairway for myself.

You're not alone out there DB67

I'll get my hands on one by this summer and drive it home to Sweden

Hobby car, second car, trips to Europe, fun car, tear my hair out-car, car shows, Yup! All the aforementioned apply

So i'm trawling these pages for any little piece of info i can find.

Where to buy
What to buy
What NOT to buy
Where to poke the screwdriver
etc, etc.

The only thing i'm not looking for is my sanity, lost that years ago

I hope you did allrigh

/Magnus

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P-reg with STT Emtec Clean Cab System

There is one running around here. It is being run as a private car. I think it is a 1993 or 1994.

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Grandad,

There should be loads of good ones available in London due to there new 15 year age limit just wait until around July and come over and take your pick

The local Radio Station round here Mansfield 103.2 have an old Fairway as an advertising vehicle. It still runs OK and it looks like it's been looked after.

If the OP wants one and has the time to spend on it then go for it.

I think I saw it picking up at Manchester airport on Monday

It's still got a London plate on it.