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The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
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10-08-2017, 07:56 PM | #1 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Perth, Northern Suburbs
Posts: 5,033
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Thinking of buying one for her indoors.
She's struggling to find work, so might as well Uber. It will suit her. Mate's missus does it and goes ok. Its never going to compete with an actual job, but beats doing nothing. It needs to be roomy. Excellent fuel economy. Inexpensive. Cheap to maintain and repair. Able to handle the high kilometres. I've also considered the possibility of an SUV option, as that potentially opens the option of Uber XL and/or Uber Assist. Possibilities that I have identified so far:
Or possibly getting one of the following and converting to LPG:
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10-08-2017, 07:58 PM | #2 | ||
Thailand Specials
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Centrefold Lounge
Posts: 49,797
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Falcon EcoLPI or an Ecoboost G6E
Hands down |
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10-08-2017, 09:30 PM | #3 | ||
When in doubt, GAS IT!!
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Lower Eyre Peninsula, SA
Posts: 3,018
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Don't discount a people mover. The Hyundai Imax are big, roomy, carry up to 7 passengers, handle very well and are very comfortable for what they are and will get sub 10 lph loaded. I used to drive one as a taxi and get 9s' and 10s' driving in a hilly environment where half the population is up hill from the main shopping/entertainment area of town.
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. HERS- BFIII Wagon Gold, alloys, dual fuel, bullbar, big tow pack, trans cooler, fully rebuilt HD suspension, Clarion, alarmed, full 2 1/2" sports system, mint body MINE- AUII Forte Meteorite, dual fuel but otherwise bog stock. MINE- AUII Fairlane Sportsman Liquid Silver over meteorite,HIDs', Airhog, Eagle Leads, dual fuel, custom rear springs, BA slotted discs + a second one for spares . |
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10-08-2017, 10:01 PM | #4 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,282
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Why not an FPV GT which is an Express Uber for those who want to get there quicker!
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HAPPY PENTAX USER |
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11-08-2017, 11:17 AM | #5 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,305
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A used low k EcoLPi
or A used low k Camry Hybrid with LPG conversion like taxi'x are doing in Melbourne. Also depends on LPG prices in W.A? Melbs LPG is nearly half of 91 at moment. |
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11-08-2017, 06:47 PM | #6 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 1,717
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The only thing I would worry about with Ecolpi is LPG availability. In Melbourne less servos are stocking it, especially Shell.
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11-08-2017, 07:27 PM | #7 | ||
Donating Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,556
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Get her a taxi license...there is a major driver shortage everywhere I hear of.
Not sure about Perth. Destroy somebody else's car while carting self entitled millennials 2 blocks for peanuts.... It is a Level Playing field now...Taxis can pick and choose and surge price as well. |
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11-08-2017, 08:50 PM | #8 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 365
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Jeep SRT the repeat business will be next level.
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11-08-2017, 09:39 PM | #9 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 548
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Quote:
Don't waste money on a vehicle if the idea is primarily for Uber use, especially since it is very early days for this an if the playing field either levels out or a new mob enters the field the pie will be smaller to divide. We have had Corollas, Camrys, Altimas didn't make any diff to us. They turned up on time and got us home and that is what matters. |
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12-08-2017, 10:51 AM | #10 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Perth, Northern Suburbs
Posts: 5,033
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Quote:
I'll naturally pick an example that has a decent interior, but I imagine all are similar comfort-wise. However rear legroom might be an issue, so I'd stick with larger cars. |
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13-08-2017, 09:36 PM | #11 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 548
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Quote:
Forget diesels as all the modern ones are high maintenance and are questionable as far as reliability goes. On the other hand a Camry is just as good for the job and 4 cyl rego which saves some bucks. The last thing you want is to be working for nothing and the reality is a Uber driver doesn't really get much more than minimum wage the beauty lies in the flexibility to work when you want. That is why uni students and sometimes retirees like it. |
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13-08-2017, 09:59 PM | #12 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Perth, Northern Suburbs
Posts: 5,033
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Quote:
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14-08-2017, 09:55 AM | #13 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 44
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I'd suggest either a Corolla sedan ,or Camry.
Both brilliant Uber choices. |
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12-08-2017, 11:00 AM | #14 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 22,928
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Camry Hybrid or Falcon EcoLpi. (Taxi operators choice).
Stay clear of the Territory Diesel, they get expensive once the kays get up there.
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14-08-2017, 10:22 AM | #15 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,878
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I would be thinking a Camry or a Camry or a Camry.Wouldn't consider fitting a gas conversion because of the way lpg prices go up and outlets are closing.Petrols are the way to go for short stop start trips.
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14-08-2017, 10:52 AM | #16 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Wollongong
Posts: 3,115
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camry's are big and cheap, go ok and decent on fuel, they look ok too if you buy an SZ
i'd still never buy one but for an uber i'd be happy with one what ever car you get i'd make sure it fits 5 adults and has leg room, corollas are a bit small
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14-08-2017, 12:00 PM | #17 | ||
3..2..1..
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bellbird park
Posts: 7,218
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I had a Camry rental for a few weeks when my van was in the panel shop, brilliant cars really.
Go pretty well, built well, reliable. Not an ounce of sportiness but that's not really important in Thai case Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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14-08-2017, 08:30 PM | #18 | ||
When in doubt, GAS IT!!
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Lower Eyre Peninsula, SA
Posts: 3,018
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I drive a camry hybrid taxi on the weekends and I am not impressed with it at all. It's hard for me to get comfortable,(as a bigger guy). The front of the drivers seat sits too high so I either have to lower the back so it feels like I'm sitting in a bucket, or duck to see under the rear vision mirror if I have the seat anywhere near comfortable. I end up in a compromise where I still have to dip my head to see under the mirror and only feel like I'm in a shallow bucket.
Next problem is that they aren't cheap to service or repair thanks to the hybrid energy recovery system. Also, thanks to being front drive, every time you take your foot off the throttle the ERS cuts in and it's like putting on the brakes, so they chew up tyres every 15,000km. On top of that, they are positively dangerous on a marginal surface. Think, dirt road or suddenly wet or oily surface you are going a bit too fast for, and thanks to being front drive, when you take your foot off the throttle and the ERS cuts in, if you happen to be cornering at the time, expect to understeer into whatever is in front of you if you're not on your game. Buy the ecoLPI Falcon, more room, more comfort for the driver, cheaper to maintain, only marginally higher fuel usage costs and it won't understeer you into a power pole, tree or parked car in an unxepected moment. But, hey, that's just my opinion. Cheers Bushbasher
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. HERS- BFIII Wagon Gold, alloys, dual fuel, bullbar, big tow pack, trans cooler, fully rebuilt HD suspension, Clarion, alarmed, full 2 1/2" sports system, mint body MINE- AUII Forte Meteorite, dual fuel but otherwise bog stock. MINE- AUII Fairlane Sportsman Liquid Silver over meteorite,HIDs', Airhog, Eagle Leads, dual fuel, custom rear springs, BA slotted discs + a second one for spares . |
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15-08-2017, 04:51 PM | #19 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Perth, Northern Suburbs
Posts: 5,033
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Quote:
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14-08-2017, 08:44 PM | #20 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,125
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Hmm, I'd seriously be crunching the numbers to see if its worthwhile purchasing a car to uber. It really doesn't seem like a worthwhile venture even if you already own a suitable car.
Factor all costs into the number crunching, the increased 'business use' car insurance, wear and tear and depreciation, the cost of washing vomit out of the car etc. |
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15-08-2017, 04:50 PM | #21 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Perth, Northern Suburbs
Posts: 5,033
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The car would replace an existing one, and then become my daughter's car. (The currently Pulsar is too old, too small, too uncomfortable.)
And I have a vested interest in stopping her driving my car. But yeah, it needs to be cheap, and must be cheap to run. I think LPG is a great long-term proposition, but the pay-back period is getting longer and longer, especially the way they gouge us here in Perth. We're fortunate in having easy access to a choice of decent servos, but some areas are not so lucky when it comes to LPG. By big concern with LPG is range. If she has to fill up every day, that will get old quickly. |
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15-08-2017, 05:01 PM | #22 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 5,305
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Quote:
And DO NOT run an EcoLPi out of gas or you'll need a tow to the nearest LPG pump. But then again thats what the warning light/alarm is for. |
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15-08-2017, 06:03 PM | #23 | ||
When in doubt, GAS IT!!
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Lower Eyre Peninsula, SA
Posts: 3,018
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Topping up the car at the end of your shift is part and parcel of taxi/Uber driving, it's just what you do. You also vac after every shift and clean the car (if required), so it's ready to go the next day.
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. HERS- BFIII Wagon Gold, alloys, dual fuel, bullbar, big tow pack, trans cooler, fully rebuilt HD suspension, Clarion, alarmed, full 2 1/2" sports system, mint body MINE- AUII Forte Meteorite, dual fuel but otherwise bog stock. MINE- AUII Fairlane Sportsman Liquid Silver over meteorite,HIDs', Airhog, Eagle Leads, dual fuel, custom rear springs, BA slotted discs + a second one for spares . |
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16-08-2017, 01:09 PM | #25 | ||
When in doubt, GAS IT!!
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Lower Eyre Peninsula, SA
Posts: 3,018
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Your car is your work space. Have some pride in your work environment and people notice. A clean car will always impress the punters better than one full of crap and dirt.
Plus, for those customers that want to chat, some friendly and topical conversation will always go down well. Also, some good tunes, especially if they're going out or coming home on a party night. All these things add up and 9 times out of 10 you'll get a better tip. I can turn over between $400-$500+ a night on the weekends doing 5 till finish and can get an extra 10-15% in tips just from all of the above.
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. HERS- BFIII Wagon Gold, alloys, dual fuel, bullbar, big tow pack, trans cooler, fully rebuilt HD suspension, Clarion, alarmed, full 2 1/2" sports system, mint body MINE- AUII Forte Meteorite, dual fuel but otherwise bog stock. MINE- AUII Fairlane Sportsman Liquid Silver over meteorite,HIDs', Airhog, Eagle Leads, dual fuel, custom rear springs, BA slotted discs + a second one for spares . |
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16-08-2017, 06:58 PM | #26 | ||
Donating Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,556
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I agree with you...but it's not the modern way.
Clean the car?? Not MY job...there is an APP for that. |
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19-08-2017, 07:43 PM | #27 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Perth, Northern Suburbs
Posts: 5,033
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Due to various considerations, including the condition of her hips, we have narrowed it down to two front-runners: Camry Hybrid sedan, and Mondeo diesel wagon.
Coming in 3rd due to cost is the Territory diesel. Outside roughie is the Skoda Superb. |
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