There are three ex-taxis for sale in my area. A 2008 for $500, a 2004 for $1000, and a 2008 for $1700. They are all registering high mileages, in the 400,000 km or so. The 2008 needs three tires, a fan, and a twelve volt battery. The others claim they are drive aways. Should I even look at an ex-taxi with these very high kilometrage figures. If so, what should I really be paying attention to when I get to look at the car. I have no background with hybrid cars and am considering a changeover from my 95 Volvo because of soaring gas prices. Bob
There's used cars and then there's used-up cars. When a taxi company gives up on one of their own, it's moved into the latter category.
I've seen taxi cars that are completely destroyed but I guess it depends on the driver and company. With Uber/Lyft your rating depends on the cleanliness of your car --- so if you have a brain --- you keep it vacuumed, you wash it regularly, and armorall the dash and door jambs regularly as well....And putting 50k a year on it, assuming no accidents, will remain pristine. Long story short don't be afraid of the miles, but make the call on how it looks. If it is clean take it --- if it is trashed then pass.
I run a taxi, however I do so in the uk so things may be a little different here. I’m an owner/driver, it’s in my interests to make sure my car is in top condition, otherwise I’m not working and so not earning. Actually at that point it’s costing me money. Would I buy an ex-taxi, if the car looked straight and there was evidence it had been looked after (receipts for part replaced/ servicing etc.) the 2008 one I wouldn’t look at, sound like someone’s trying to offload without spending money. Go and look at them, drive them and see if you can live with a high miler car 2010 Gen 3
As an addition, my oldest taxi was a 2004 gen 2 that I sold on privately, it currently has 434,000 km (270,000 miles) and it looks like it’s done half of that, and still returns 50ukmpg 2010 Gen 3
