Uber driver with a few questions

There will be about 2 inches more rubber tire in the non touring models, that in the touring models, is aluminum wheel. (15 versus 17 inch wheels, but same total diameter) So non touring will be more comfortable.

 

I would use the cheapest most economical car if I were an uber driver....Just in case people scratch it or puke in it

 

No the previous false floor and under-floor compartment of Gen2/Gen3 hatch area is no longer present in Gen4. The only thing you might try I suppose is to remove the spare tire - in those Gen4 models - and use that cubby space. Or get the Gen4 version without the spare tire and just get more total space. Or get the Gen3 which may be the biggest overall cargo space with 3-ft3 underneath. Some folks have been carving out the foam floor in the Gen4 back (to make space for a spare tire) but in you case you could do it to add space.

If you want my "real not EPA" cargo space estimate numbers for Gen2 to Gen4 let me know.

 

Welcome, roadwarrior 28. I believe there is one 12v outlet on the dash and the other is on the back of the center armrest.

I would expect fuel economy to be marginally better but it is a moot point as the only way to get better fuel economy than a Prius is to buy something with a plug.

Stay with a non-Touring car with 15 inch wheels for the best FE. What are you averaging now?

 

I moved from a 2008 Touring Prius (16" wheels) to a Gen 4 Prius Four and my mileage improved 30%

 

If I were you, I would compare the gen 3 and the gen 4. In the gen 4 rear seats are lower in order to barely maintain head room and leg room is a bit less. Passengers will have to stoop a bit more to get into the gen 4. And the gen 3 has the under floor storage. Sit in both to compare what your passengers will experience. A 2, 3 or 4 year old gen 3 will serve you very well for a lot less money. I believe that some dealers still have some new gen 3s at big discounts. The improved mileage of the gen 4 would never make up for the difference in price.

Of course, it is understandable if you want the latest (including safety features) since you will be driving it a lot.

 

If you want an educated comparison, based on 5 years in a Gen 3 and 4 months in a Gen 4, I would take the Gen 4 every time.

 

If I was going to be a taxi driver (of whatever flavor) the Prius v station wagon would be on my short list.

 

agreed. I was tempted to throw that in. I recently returned from Zurich. Most of the taxis at the airport were Prius Vs.

 

There are 2 on the Australian ones, though we seem to have been given an odd mix of features - at the front and back of the centre console. None in the boot. (see picture attached - my fingers aren't censoring anything - just the book wouldn't stay flat).

They're not really good - only work on POWER or Accessory modes - which turns off my GPS or phone charger when I power down for 2 minutes to go into a store etc!!!

 

That's the same set up as the USA. For a quick dash in to the store I just lock the car, CC & lights off. I would miss the one on the dash as I have cables draped around the cockpit as it is.

 

I understood the real reason those models have no spare is to cut weight so they can squeeze into the EPA weight classes Toyota wants them to be in. That, and cost saving.

 

My guess is 90% of the cabs in NYC are Prius. Most now are Prius V. There are some hybrid Camry's. And a small group of a new small van type cab's. There was a time in the past when the cabs could be any condition. With NYC pot holes you would see cabs broken down everywhere. Many with front end wheels folded over. With Prius's on the road for the last 10 years I never see them broken down.

I wonder how many miles they run these cabs.

 

If you go on eBay autos, you can find gen IIIs with 300k-400k for sale (cheap, of course)

 

Nissan's NV200 won the taxi contract. They were supposed to be EV but that is another story. The Gen2 & Gen3 Prius as a taxi is at the end of its career as age and mileage are against them. Vehicle inspections get tougher to pass as the vehicle ages.

 

Yes I did see a few of the Nissan cabs. And it did seam like cabs had to be the NV200. Although there are cabs from all manufactures. Most are Toyota h

 

check out ringomoon's thread. he just bought a gen 4 taxi in the u/k.