Taxi Driver Online

Has anyone got one or know if anyone uses one of the above as a taxi? Is it big enough? Some drivers are considering downsizing from Mondeo/Vectra to Focus/Astra size cars to (they hope) save a few bob.

BTW the title refers to what some are saying they think is the best option (size wise). We already have 308s and Mazda 3s on the road which, if anything, look smaller.
Thoughts?

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My heart is heavy, but my consience clear,
I voted Yes, without any fear.

Get the new Octavia 1.6 tdi, averaging 55 plus MPG, ziro rfl

Vectra/insignia is small enough!

Have you looked at the Dacia Logan? It is basically a Renault Megane estate. 1.5l diesel and around 70 MPG. On the road for around £10K new, also zero rfl.

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Grandad,

Wouldn't happen up here, we have a minimal engine capacity of 1.6

I have had the discussion about engine sizes with our LO. Why do councils specify a certain CC? Clearly in the past, engine power was a lot lower per CC than it is now. Times have changed. and this is one area that needs looking at. For instance, under the CC system you can't plate an electric car because their power is not measured in CCs. Some duel fuel cars couldn't be plated because the electric motor and engine combined do not have enough CCs. I think it is about time that councils changed this CC policy to one that works on power output instead.
The Dacia Logan that we tried last week was the 950cc petrol engine but the power output was the same as the 1.5 diesel model. Here I could plate one but not the other.

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Grandad,

They're to small IMO.

It should be 1.6TD.

That Dacia Logans certainly not the Ugliest car Ive ever seen...I wonder what their reliabilities like?

The Logan is a Megane estate. So I guess the reliability will be the same as the megane estate. I have 4 of them (megane estates) and they seem to be OK.
Dacia is owned by renault. They also own the Lada brand name and I was told that there may be a re-launch of that brand name in the next couple of years.

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Grandad,

One of the biggest fleets have dumped Skoda for Toyota Avensis. They don't rate newer models same as earlier.



So have we till April 2014



Agreed. I reckon the Mondeo is a better option, but I'm a shortarse, I'd feel lost in it.



Do they have the legendary French electric/wiring issues?

Talking of electric we will be able to plate both electric and hybrid estates as taxis/phv from the same date. The LA is even relaxing the "must be WAV for first plate" condition to allow them as alternatives.

I've got till the start of the year (if present octavia passes later this month) to begin looking for a new car. Thanks for input, plenty of food for thought in amongst it all.

I'll pass on your comments to the others.

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My heart is heavy, but my consience clear,
I voted Yes, without any fear.

They're built by the French so I'd avoid them.

I drove an Astra estate for a day, I'll tell you something it was the longest most uncomfortable shift I ever did. Vauxhalls aren't fit for Taxi or PH work.

God help you if the french man that built them was a muslim as well.

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Grandad,

Couple of councils down here license them, but not mine.

IMO they are not man enough for the job.

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IDFIMH