If you're a taxi operator, what car model would you use?

[bishop]

the Corollas have always been the staple choice among taxi fleet operators.

it's very reliable and durable, especially if bought brand-new.

[pipot15]

i guess corolla is stil d best choice der is for commercial use.cheap parts resulting to easy maintenance jus my 02

[SeminaristaKuno]

Rogebeth taxi. Vios. Wow.

[yorimoto]

nissan sentra. malakas ang aircon.

[Verbl Kint]

I'd like to see new Hyundais as cabs. They have been building good cars of late and their build quality has been improving tremendously.

[sp!t_k!cker]

give me 2 years, il start a fleet ng CIVIC na taxis! hahaha... what would honda do? sue me? il do it for fun...

[slamm]

Being a choice of TAxi operators works both ways... some see it as degrading since the car is "pang taxi" but it also works to a point that it means the car is practical, economical, and sturdy... The choice of most operators are the Corolla and Sentra (but the Corolla is more economical in terms of fuel mileage).

To date, the new cars being converted for taxi (or hotel/airport taxi) use are the old body Corolla AE111 XL/LE which is still being manufactured AFAIK and the Sentra 1300 GX (new body, but mostly for rental car and hotel car use)... They also both target the company fleet market.

In Cagayan de Oro, they use the 1.6 J Corolla ALtis (new body) as taxis... In Tarlac, i see a Civic police car (nope, not an SiR to catch the speeders ;P).

In Europe and Africa as well if i'm not mistaken, Mercedes Benz E Class cars are used as cabs.

[elyserva]

Dito sa Saudi, the car of choice for limo or taxi is the Camry. Before that, it was the Cressida. For public transport/mini buses, it's the Toyota Coaster. They're very reliable, I've been here nearly 20years and some of them are still running. For big full-sized buses, they use Mercedes-Benz.

[bigbadwolf]

I saw the Gray Vios Taxis today

[SeminaristaKuno]

Originally posted by bigbadwolf
I saw the Gray Vios Taxis today

Kakainggit no?

[shun_sakurai]

Ever watched The Amazing Race 4? If you watched the Malaysia/Thailand leg, you should notice a couple of teams rode on black SX8 Honda Citys used as taxis. Gabi nga lang kaya hindi siguro napansin masyado.

I agree with Slamm...cars used as taxis works both ways.

If I had a say in this, I'd happily volunteer the SX8 Honda City. Do something about the parts pricing and it's a good, nippy and reliable car---perfect as a taxi.

Should I mention this car's visibility is excellent? I've driven a City for 3 years...driving anything else gives me blind spots.

[talipandas9]

I'm digging up this old thread for an update for 2005. I think the choices for this year are still the following models:

1) Toyota Corolla XL - old model
2) Toyota Vios J M/T - I think not too many people are aware that Toyota is now offering a J grade Vios M/T with a 1.3 liter engine. This is priced lower than the foirmerly cheapest E M/T. Kaya lang, pwede ba talagang gawin taxi ito? I mean, wala bang restrictions ang Toyota similar to Honda. Is it practical or dependable to make a Vios taxi? What about the poor rear leg room and headroom?

3) Nissan Sentra GX (1300) - probably the only taxi model that could be bought with an automatic transmission option.

Is it possible to use the Kia Picanto LX as a taxi? If the Kia Pride was a huge hit before, can't it be replicated now with the Picanto?

What about for the Mega Taxi market which Toyota has abandoned with the demise of the Revo in favor of the Innova? I also read somewhere that Mitsubishi is mulling the idea of discontinuing the Adventure too (how true?). Will it leave the Mega Taxi market to the Crosswind/Sportivo or will it mean the end of the Mega taxi?

What about the idea of using the Hi-ace commuter or Nissan Urvan as a shuttle? I know second hand H100/Grace are way more affordable but what if a taxi operator would like a brand new unit to begin with?

[shun_sakurai]

The Adventure discontinued? I don't think that'll happen anytime soon. I'll give it 2 more years at the very least.

For the "mega taxi" market, Toyota does seem to want old Revo operators to use the new Hi-Ace Commuter, now that the Innova is being marketed primarily for private family use. But the PhP1M+ price is still a major prohibiting factor. Anyone who wants to own a small fleet of these has to have relatively deep pockets. Baka magsimula ang paggamit ng Hi-Ace Commuter sa mga colorum shuttle services.

If push comes to shove Toyota might even be forced to keep producing the Revo just for taxi use.

So far here are the viable taxi options I see...
1) Kia Picanto
2) Toyota Vios 1.3J
3) Nissan Sentra 1.3GX
4) Toyota Corolla 1.3LE (EE111 chassis)
5) Toyota Corolla Altis 1.6J (ZE121 chassis) -- it is seeing service as a PNP patrol car

[slamm]

I think TMPI should have kept the old Revo DLX models for Taxi/Fleet use. That's what they did with the AE111 XL/LE and Nissan with the B13 LEC which ran from 1992 to 1999/2000.

The cost of a new Hiace is quite steep for PUV use though... 1M... Ouch. The Nissan Urvan Shuttle may be a better choice (mga 800K more or less if i'm not mistaken).

[rychu]

I heard that Toyota does not want VIOS to be made into a taxi already. According to Toyota, taxi operators should pick the newly launched AVANZA. However, LTFRB is quite dubious with the Avanza being a 7 seater.

Any thoughts? Please share other models you think will be viable as a cab.

[kopinux]

yung toyota na ginawa para sa biodiesel
okaya yung toyota na auv na may lpg.

[smallville_dumb]

I heard that Toyota does not want VIOS to be made into a taxi already. According to Toyota, taxi operators should pick the newly launched AVANZA. However, LTFRB is quite dubious with the Avanza being a 7 seater.

Any thoughts? Please share other models you think will be viable as a cab.

Avanza has its "J" variants for taxi use..
5 seater lang siya kasi inalis yung upuan sa likod.
white na rin body color nya para di na magpa-change color mga taxi operator.....

[Naruto Kun]

any suggestions for taxis ngayong 2011?

- hyundai accent
- kia rio
- toyota vios
- toyota avanza
- toyota altis
- hinda city? hehehehe

[RamboMapua]

go for hyundai accent

[Verbl Kint]

I'd like to see new Hyundais as cabs. They have been building good cars of late and their build quality has been improving tremendously.

Almost exactly 7 years hence and it's happening.

The CRDi Accent still has to be the best choice right now.