Flew into Vancouver, BC today and when I walked out to grab a taxi I was pleased to find a Prius taxi next in line. Of course I had to chat up the driver during the ride. His was a 2005 model that has more then 428,000 Kilometers (approx 266,000 miles). The only thing to go wrong on his car was the display for the speedometer, which needing replacing around 200,000 kilometers. He said it cost him about $400 CDN to replace it. He also has had two break jobs during the lifetime of the car. He loves his Prius as he says it has saved him a lot of money in gas costs the last two year, not to mention the little he has spent in repairs. I asked him about oil changes. He's changing the oil every 8,000 kilometers. He's using 10W-30 Dino Pennzoil. I was careful to listen for rattles but could only hear the handle on my Portercase rattling around in the back.
I'm surprised he's not using a 5w30 oil, especially up there in Canada where it gets very cold in the winter, but I guess the 10w30 has worked well for him so far!
The climate in the Lower Mainland in BC is really quite mild, when compared with the rest of the country. In the winter, we're usually well above the freezing mark during the day. I'd probably only need snow tires for 5 days of the year, just like I would need an air conditioner for 5 days during the summer. It's quite boring for our temperatures here.
That is very cool! I wish our government would grow up and allow 4 cylinder taxis. 4 door 6 cylinder car ar a minimum so we get Falcons, Commodors and a smattering of Mitsubishi 380s and Toyota Avalons. Most taxis here run on liquid propane gas which costs about half the price of petrol. Prius would still be more economical!
Jim, welcome to Vancouver! This will one of many Prius cab rides during your visit . How long are you here for?
Thanks! I believe you. I saw a lot of them just on my ride to the hotel. Flying out Friday morning, but I'm going to be stuck in meetings during the day. The next time I come back hopefully I can stick around after business and do a little vacationing.
Did you have to pay for the extra half mile distance he drove because "it's easier to pulse and glide if I go this way."? That's really cool. Thanks for the post. And does he know his lifetime average?
Well the NSW government has grown up - they recently approved the Prius as a taxi in NSW. We have had one in Sydney on a trial basis for the last year, and now they have been approved. An owner has already bought one up in Lismore. They are certainly more economical than the LPG. An average "shift" for a cab in Sydney costs between $30-$35 for LPG. The equivalent for a Prius is $15 - figures based on my own costs when driving a cab and my consumption in my Prius.
Sadly, I don't recognise the place but it looks like the Skytrain elevated tracks in the background. I just saw my first 2008 Prius taxi today. I've seen 3 (not incl. the taxi) 2008 models.
Last time I was in Vancouver (this summer) there were Prius taxi everywhere. It looked like someone dumped a bag or rainbow colored Skittles on the ground. lol I'll be up there again in a few days and will try to get more pics.
whoa speedo can go out too? i guess i'll add that piece along with my refurbished parts list! go taxii!!!
A friend of mine at work snapped this blurry photo with his phone camera. It's a livery plate on a black Prius in Chicago.
