Next taxi????

Auturbo6 · 30-09-2010, 08:40 PM

Having been a taxi mechanic for a few years now, ive been very impressed with how well the falcon, especially the wagon have served as almost indestructible tanks, very well suited to the abuse shelled out by our (completely incompetent) taxi drivers. The falcon has it's issues, but a very robust chassis and suspension setup (on the wagon anyway) has served taxi owners very well.

However, no more wagons, and the rising fuel prices have forced a shift in vehicles being recruited for taxi duties. In my opinion, the biggest issue facing this industry is very few truly suitable vehicles that could possibly suit taxi use.

These are some of my criteria:

Suspension setups that won't collapse at sight of gutter or pothole, fords, fields, or anywhere else these idiots end up.

Body work that can withstand (to a point) constant collisions with everything using the road or footpath, field etc.

Interior that doesn't fall apart upon customer ripping and tearing, throwing up, hammering, stabbing etc.

Mechanically strong, not oil leaking disaster like EA-EL.

So what do you think, maybe a WW2 pantzer.

Bobman · 30-09-2010, 08:50 PM

Falcon is and can still be used. That's what I see most of on the roads - even after the Avalon trials.

The wagon only gained momentum as taxi cabs from the AUs onwards. There were some EF/EL taxi wagons but they were few and far between. As most taxi wagons were AU-BF, then I can't see it being a major problem that there are no more wagons. Taxi operators can still use 2010 BFIII wagons for the next 6 years.

Jason[98.EL] · 30-09-2010, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobman

Falcon is and can still be used. That's what I see most of on the roads - even after the Avalon trials.

The wagon only gained momentum as taxi cabs from the AUs onwards. There were some EF/EL taxi wagons but they were few and far between. As most taxi wagons were AU-BF, then I can't see it being a major problem that there are no more wagons. Taxi operators can still use 2010 BFIII wagons for the next 6 years.

I know a few here in Geelong that have allready purchased a few more falcon wagons so they last out till 2016/7 ( depends on purchase date )

malazn mafia · 30-09-2010, 08:57 PM

What happened to the Avalons, Camrys and Magnas from about 4 years back? They all seemed to have just vanished into thin air.

Jason[98.EL] · 30-09-2010, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

What happened to the Avalons, Camrys and Magnas from about 4 years back? They all seemed to have just vanished into thin air.

gone into the abbyss

malazn mafia · 30-09-2010, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason[98.EL]

gone into the abbyss

Why so? Still see a fair few beaten up MK1 BA's limping, squeaking or groaning around the suburbs. Is it because Falcons will continue to run way past their used by date like zombies despite having no suspension left, all bushes perished, diff whining, transmission slipping, engine ticking

Recently saw a taxi with a stoved in front end with the engine exposed still driving around carrying passengers

.

EFPWR · 30-09-2010, 09:00 PM

If Holden ever wanted a grab at the taxi market, they'd shape up and take this chance. There needs to be taxi wagons, they just need to find a reliable vehicle.

Iggypoppin' · 30-09-2010, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

What happened to the Avalons, Camrys and Magnas from about 4 years back? They all seemed to have just vanished into thin air.

Can't hack the pace methinks; good old falcon, ever reliable!

GS608 · 30-09-2010, 09:24 PM

hmm, looks like all the Falcon sedans have been replaced by Camrys and Prius up here (Gold Coast Cabs) Still see quite a few old BA mk 1 Wagons limping around but they're rare, most of the larger taxis are Hiace and Tarago, even a few Ssangyongs

Danny · 30-09-2010, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFPWR

If Holden ever wanted a grab at the taxi market, they'd shape up and take this chance. There needs to be taxi wagons, they just need to find a reliable vehicle.

They would never ever do that. The Sportwagon is the STAR of their current line up. Their Golden girl..

They'd never have its reputation tarnished by pushing it to taxi fleets (one of the main reasons idiotic people baulk at Falcons is because of those clinking clanking squeaking shuddering farting rubbishheap old BA BF XT XR Futuraghiamont mutations with AU Forte hubcaps and dragging exhausts sliming round in phlegm yellow mica. Usually with one headlight and a primer coloured bumper that is hanging off.) Besides, there are so many private buyers flocking to the sportwagons that they'd nay need to.

Jason[98.EL] · 30-09-2010, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Why so? Still see a fair few beaten up MK1 BA's limping, squeaking or groaning around the suburbs. Is it because Falcons will continue to run way past their used by date like zombies despite having no suspension left, all bushes perished, diff whining, transmission slipping, engine ticking

Recently saw a taxi with a stoved in front end with the engine exposed still driving around carrying passengers

.

they didnt have the legs to do the life cycle a taxi needed

Smoke Pursuit · 30-09-2010, 10:50 PM

Theres alot of Hybrid Camry's in Brisbane and V6 Aurions nowdays.. They are way more popular then FG's atm, I think yellow cabs must be getting a good deal on them for their own fleet, plus they are holding together pretty well.

It will be interesting to see what the Hybrid Camrys are like after 500,000 kms or 3 - 4 years. They will get mighty expensive.

**Polyal** · 30-09-2010, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bfiipursuit

It will be interesting to see what the Hybrid Camrys are like after 500,000 kms or 3 - 4 years. They will get mighty expensive.

Surely that kind of turn over is not good for the environment

msman · 30-09-2010, 11:53 PM

the toyota hybrid if it can last for the magical 1million K's. a few of the guys have prius's got a rebate from the govt for getting 'green' cars, they love em smaller fuel bill than a falcon, front pads last over twice as long better boot (more usable) and no ******** with warranty from the local dealer (i guess thats luck of the draw, but i chose to buy the parts my self instead of trusting the three ford dealers around my area so its saying something)

the current falcons are rubbish for taxi use, i do balljoints every second pad change.

what i'd give to get the old ef again only major thing we did in the 6 years and 1.2milion K's was 2 pairs of rear shocks, one new converter, one radiator and one coil pack.
when it came off dad through some new shocks on a dash mat and it was my first car, loved to rev that thing, a little bit of rattle at idle but it went to 5000 sweetly. still got a grand for it when i sold it.

MagicMarkerPen · 30-09-2010, 11:57 PM

Aurion

Riksta · 30-09-2010, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny

those clinking clanking squeaking shuddering farting rubbishheap old BA BF XT XR Futuraghiamont mutations with AU Forte hubcaps and dragging exhausts sliming round in phlegm yellow mica. Usually with one headlight and a primer coloured bumper that is hanging off.

Funniest thing I've read all week!

SM1DY · 01-10-2010, 12:03 AM

There are only Ssangyong, Camry's and Prius's up here on the GC. I don't remember the last Falcon taxi I saw in QLD.

TheInterceptor · 01-10-2010, 12:12 AM

Next taxi?
By the way things are going....

Behold the Pedapod

Iggypoppin' · 01-10-2010, 01:18 AM

Msman I refuse to believe that in 1.2million klms no ball joints, cv joints or other rubber items where not replaced.

seduced_xr · 01-10-2010, 03:45 AM

the holden sportswagon has NO room in the boot, its a joke that its called a wagon. its unsuitable for a taxi

have we stopped to remember that one of the reasons there is no falcon wagon is because there is a territory wagon? theres a few territory taxis running around perth

Bobman · 01-10-2010, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seduced_xr

have we stopped to remember that one of the reasons there is no falcon wagon is because there is a territory wagon? theres a few territory taxis running around perth

A few around in Melbourne too.

Falcon_Crazy · 01-10-2010, 07:44 AM

I get to ride a heap of cabs with work. in Darwin the otehr day, the prius i got in which had covered a few miles, was rattling and shaking, all the seat springs gone - but the boot is good for luggae. A day later had this displeasure fo getting into a Tarago with about 350,000km on it - again, it was falling to bits, the transmission up there with some of the old BTR boxes in Xfs!

So much though depends on drivers - ive been in Silver Service Fairlanes that were like hire crs despite 300,000km. Its swings and roundabouts...

The Tezzas are starting to pop up, but there will be a staxck of ex Fleet 'Coon wagons being snapped up. heard Silver Service are going down G6E path too..saw a few in brisvegas.

msman · 01-10-2010, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iggypoppin'

Msman I refuse to believe that in 1.2million klms no ball joints, cv joints or other rubber items where not replaced.

thats your choice, but thats the fact.

by the way last i checked falcons didn't have cv's until au option or ba standard. also one of our current ba's is on 700K no sign of looseness in the rear.

GTJOHN · 01-10-2010, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFPWR

If Holden ever wanted a grab at the taxi market, they'd shape up and take this chance. There needs to be taxi wagons, they just need to find a reliable vehicle.

They cant crack the taxi market for a simple reason..whilst the cars are equal in every way to the falcon , their issue will be lifespan.. Commodores will never do the amount of K's that the falcon I6 can do.. they will need to be replaced 2 commodores for every falcon...

Mr Hardware · 01-10-2010, 10:39 AM

In all seriousness, the AUII/AUIII's were the best cabs australia has ever seen. Egas or dual fuel, they were king.

No IRS, No ABS, No weird electronics. The right size, the right durability, the right price. Ran so well on gas it's not funny, they were great.

Back in the day we had one career cabbie who started driving cabs in an XC. He always used to say the XF's were the best cabs he'd ever driven. One day, about five years ago, he said to me, 'you know, I've been driving cabs for almost two and a half decades, and I always said the XF's were the best taxis ever. But not any more - the AU's were the best taxis ever.

And he's right.

fords35to75 · 01-10-2010, 11:12 AM

Camry Hybrid looks to be the answer. Here in Ballarat there are about eight old Avalons nearing the end of their life (about 50 taxi licences in town) and all the Avalon owners reckon they will go Toyota again - never back to Falcon or Holden. The first two Hybrid Camry taxis in Australia went on here and both have clocked 90,000km in six months with one having an ABS sensor being th eonly problem. Both replaced Falcons and the guy who bought the first one reckons he is $10-$15 per day cheaper running that his Falcon Wagon on gas was. Others are holding off and running normal Camrys on gas - there are about five of them floating around. Drivers reckon more room and more comfortable than the Falcons that they have replaced - only thing is the stupid handbrake positioning that gives temptation to dickead passengers. Dunno why they can't put the foot operated one in like the Avalon / Aurion.

frd906 · 01-10-2010, 11:46 AM

MsMan,

I actually refused to beleave that, you didnt have to do a head gasket change, as they were common for it

FNQracing · 01-10-2010, 02:42 PM

[QUOTE=EFPWR]If Holden ever wanted a grab at the taxi market, they'd shape up and take this chance. /QUOTE]

Holden have stated they don't want the TAXI market. And I agree.

Most peoples memories/impressions of Falcons are formed in clapped out Taxis. They stink, creak and groan and are generally unpleasant places to be.

Hows that for branding?

msman · 01-10-2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frd906

MsMan,

I actually refused to beleave that, you didnt have to do a head gasket change, as they were common for it

the head gasket is a problem due to hot/cool cycles, a cab gets to temp and is lucky to cool down 2-3 a week. I only know of one who had to do a head gasket on ef/el and it was more because he had an idiot of a driver.

the au's were great as well we had to reco the tranny at abt 600K and diff at 800K, but were let down by ford penny pinching. not a real factory taxi pack like e-series. i.e. true H/D shocks/springs, factory tranny cooler.

BENT_8 · 01-10-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

In all seriousness, the AUII/AUIII's were the best cabs australia has ever seen. Egas or dual fuel, they were king.

No IRS, No ABS, No weird electronics. The right size, the right durability, the right price. Ran so well on gas it's not funny, they were great.

Back in the day we had one career cabbie who started driving cabs in an XC. He always used to say the XF's were the best cabs he'd ever driven. One day, about five years ago, he said to me, 'you know, I've been driving cabs for almost two and a half decades, and I always said the XF's were the best taxis ever. But not any more - the AU's were the best taxis ever.

And he's right.

Agreed 100%, infact i was only thinking the other day that Ford should have continued to build vehicles to AU quality.

The AU1 was a bit poor, but AU2/3 are fantastic cars.