Taxi Driver Online

With over 350 registered users and most if not all in the cab trade lets see if we can find the best car for the job 406 /galaxy/skoda etc . We all know the best purpose built taxi in the world but lets see what else we could use upto say no more than 5 years old. Your forum needs your views

Hi
I visit a lot of companies and a few large fleets who have (and continue to) invest in Skoda Octavias and Superbs. They seem to be good vaule for money and a lot of drivers like them.

If I had the choice from the list you gave then it would be:

1. Skoda (superb)
2. Skoda (octavia)
3. Peugot 406

I would not even consider the galaxy. A lot of the people carrier on the market are far too small for airport runs etc when people are taking large cases.

If you live in an area with lots of airport runs then maybe the an Octavia or 406 estate.

regards
RadioMan

The new Octavia (with a 3 year warrenty) or the Mondeo are the best in my view.

The one I like the sound of, but have never driven, is the Hyundai. Mainly because of the 5 year warrenty.

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IDFIMH

I've always thought that the Vectra and Mondeo are best for taxi and PH work, but the Octavia certainly seems to be a favourite now.

I'd consider an Octavia myself, but I'd probably end up going for a Vectra.

I don't like people carriers or minibuses at all for taxi work. I have to say, the worst cars for taxi work have got to be the Kia but there are quite a few on PH these days. I've heard nothing but complaints about them.

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Visit TAXIPIX at www.taxipix.fotopic.net

i'm very happy with my Volvo S80 D5. its not cost me a penny (apart from normal servicing & tyres) for the last 25K. the punters love it, and it's really comfortable to drive, especially on the motorway.

However i woudn't by a new one as you wont get much change from £25K and the deprication in the first 2 years is shocking. mine is an SE and was £27K new, i bought it 2 years old with 60K on the clock for £11K but i reckon it will still outlast a new mondeo or vectra.

The saloons seem pretty awful. The big people carrier (Trajet?) looks OK, but according to the car mags is too cheap and flimsy inside.

I would buy something else and just extend the warranty

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

I wouldn't have an MPV either - four drunken dickheads are enough for me

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Good motors the Skodas, but the Octavia is a bit tight roomwise, and the Superb is a bit tight boot-wise. If the Superb had the Octavia's boot as well as the vast interior it would be...err...Superb

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Bet I know how Tom will answer the 'best car for the job' question

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

Well this bloke thinks a Jag is the biz, even if it's only liicensed for three.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/here ... 624499.stm

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IDFIMH

Using a Fiat Doblo JTD myself at the minute and out of the cars i have used so far for private hire its by far the best. The driver position is excellent and I seem to be able to drive for a full shift and not get the ache's I used to get in a saloon. Also the rear leg room is much better used to have lots of problems with me been over 6ft no more moaning customers anymore. The boot is massive and great for airport work.

The only real problem with it is that it looks AWFUL from the outside, but its bought to do a job not look nice.

How predictable am I?

The Superb is just that. Roomy, comfortable and reliable.

But as you know I love an E class, it does the job I need.

SteveO points about his Volvo have lots of merit. But don't hold on too long SteveO, once it does start to go wrong it will cost lots of money to maintain.

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A member of the Hire or Reward Industry

Really not a fan of the boot. Otherwise not bad.

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IDFIMH

I have just got the kia lx crdi carens comes with a 3 year unlimited warenty 3 year rac cover, Its got a masive load area, lether interior, good to drive and all for 11k so what more do you want
so fairway whats wrong with them, how much will your tx cost you or your metro shed over three years or your skoda come to that ( very dodgy gear boxes them skodas, 1 every 80 to 100k on the sdi) and only a 2 year warenty but alegidaly skoda has told the dealers to fit the turbo box to the sdi to cure the problem.
I have also done a deal with the dealer where by he advertises on both sides and the only thing I have to pay for is the car payments and inshurance he will look after every thing else so no sevice bills or road tax to find not bad ehh

I'd love to see the Carens with the dealer's adverts on. How did you manage to get them to do that.

The Carens, if I'm to be honest, I don't know much about, it does have a big boot though and a nice driving position.

It's the Sedona I don't like, I don't like those sliding doors for taxi work, and the step in is too high for older passengers. I've heard of a few drivers getting shut of them because of this sort of thing, but I havent heard too much about gearboxes and that.

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