Taxi Vehicle Replacements. - Page 2

GXL078 · 11-03-2016, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUXRII

There was a Taxi operator in Brisbane who went against the Camry tide and bought a fleet of VW Passats.

The Passats had a similar platform to the Skodas and used the DSG transmission (as opposed to the Subarus CVT).

DSG in a taxi! The oil for those things is something like $50 a litre. Ford got rid of them in the latest Focus due to reliability issues.source Wheels mag. We had MANUAL taxis to save money!

Dr Terry · 11-03-2016, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUXRII

Mostly TROLLS so far but to those without issues:

For a while there, forum discussed the replacement of Police vehicles.

Taxi and fleet operator vehicles would outnumber police vehicles by what? Fifty to one?

Yet there has been little or no discussion at all about replacement fleet vehicles.

Private fleets numbers have diminished drastically in recent years due to novated leases & user chooser type deals. No longer do fleets (govt. or private) buy huge numbers of any one particular make or model, especially anything made locally. One exception to this might be the mining industry where they consume huge numbers of Hi-Luxes & Landcruisers etc. but that doesn't effect the Holden/Ford scenario, does it ?

The old days of sales reps & public servants etc. utilising huge fleets of Holdens & Falcons have long gone.

The NSW Police Force, to my knowledge currently has a fleet of just over 4,000 vehicles while the total number of taxis in NSW is around 7,400. This makes the 50:1 ratio look slightly erroneous.

Dr Terry

**Giant Cranium** · 11-03-2016, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUXRII

Serial TROLL

Hahahaha. Best. Troll. Ever.

AUXRII · 11-03-2016, 02:22 PM

Troll fantasy world of Batman, Hulk and 007.

**Giant Cranium** · 11-03-2016, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUXRII

Troll fantasy world of Batman, Hulk and 007.

no the hulk is you. its batman, beast and 007

AUXRII · 11-03-2016, 02:37 PM

Argumentum ad hominem.

**Beastie** · 11-03-2016, 02:51 PM

Whilst a little off topic, I learned something today, so it's a good day!

Ad hominem attacks are hardly ever used plainly, and people who do are generally trolls who want to provoke people to fight.

Interceptor · 11-03-2016, 02:59 PM

Currently in San Francisco on holiday and by far the majority of the taxi fleet are Priuses, a lot of Ford Escapes and some Dodge minivans.

Caught one Prius taxi, driver reckoned it had 350,000 MILES on it and it had never been down for anything more than regular servicing

JC · 11-03-2016, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUXRII

Make sure you buy another diesel, so you can convert that to LPG too.

Plenty of trucks run LPG on diesel - helps with combustion and keeping things clean. Not sure I'd do it on a Territory though - too much lost space for the extra tank with not too much reward.

Plenty of Camry hybrid cabs in Canberra and I've also seen an Octavia wagon. Plenty of beaten up falcons too - quite the mix really, but hybrids would be the future - 7 l/100km = cheap running..

Vesper Martini · 11-03-2016, 03:17 PM

I think the objective of this post was to have a go at old Falcons and LPG..

So its interesting that Ive noticed that every lovely yellow Camry Hybrid ive seen has been put on LPG.
so they have the green & red sticker in the middle of the licence plate.

so there's your Aussie Cab

AUXRII · 11-03-2016, 03:27 PM

No mate. The objective was to look at alternatives to the Toyota Hybrids. Hence my question about the Skoda Octavia. Anything to get away from the Toyota Hybrid domination of taxis.

Camry Hybrids use a 2.4 litre petrol engine that taxi operators routinely convert to LPG.

AUXRII · 11-03-2016, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

Plenty of beaten up falcons too - quite the mix really, but hybrids would be the future - 7 l/100km = cheap running..

Also a few near-new Falcon taxis in Canberra.

Seen a couple of very beaten up BF wagons and a few very well kept BFIII wagons.

Franco Cozzo · 11-03-2016, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUXRII

Make sure you buy another diesel, so you can convert that to LPG too.

Thats just an old school method of increasing efficiency of a diesel engine, they use water/methanol injection now to do the same thing and with a much better setup.

I've got it on my Focus, programmed in to come at 12 PSI, using a nozzle on the small side was worth an extra 6KW at the wheels on car.

mike_nofx · 11-03-2016, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Beast

I think that the Aurion should also be considered as a strong contender....

And why is that? Its a Camry with a more powerful engine that uses more fuel, seems a terrible choice next to the Camry.

Ben73 · 11-03-2016, 03:58 PM

They still use Fords as taxis do they?

Phildo · 11-03-2016, 04:22 PM

From a taxi owner's point of view, getting people to drive the thing is a challenge.

Most taxi drivers are Indians, and they all want to drive Toyotas.

SYZ · 11-03-2016, 04:41 PM

I guess one of the major questions about the new crop of non-Falcon taxis is the longevity of these Asian-built buzz-boxes?

Are they gonna still be running faultlessly at 900,000km like the Ford product is now?

**Beastie** · 11-03-2016, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

And why is that? Its a Camry with a more powerful engine that uses more fuel, seems a terrible choice next to the Camry.

It was a tongue in cheek comment with no thought put into it

Phildo · 11-03-2016, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SYZ

I guess one of the major questions about the new crop of non-Falcon taxis is the longevity of these Asian-built buzz-boxes?

Are they gonna still be running faultlessly at 900,000km like the Ford product is now?

Apparently, better.

Mechanics are saying that they require a lot less repair work.

danzvtil · 11-03-2016, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUXRII

About what I would expect from a troll who drives a Cruze and a Magna.

BURRRNN.....well you got me there....

SYZ · 11-03-2016, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phildo

Apparently, better.

Mechanics are saying that they require a lot less repair work.

I'm guessing that only time will tell, and when we can also cite major km's across numerous examples. As of yet, they've not really been tested in Australia for longevity—like the Falcons have been over a couple of decades.

Express · 11-03-2016, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUXRII

Anything to get away from the Toyota Hybrid domination of taxis.

What exactly is the problem with having Toyota Hybrids as taxis?

You’re starting to concern me, is there something you know that you’re not telling us?

An article from November 2013

Quote:

Hybrid taxis now the transport of choice

By PETER COLLINS
27 November, 2013

A DECADE ago most taxi vehicles were Ford Falcons running on LPG fuel — now hybrid-powered Toyota Camry sedans are first choice.

Warrnambool Radio Taxis has six petrol-electric Camrys representing half its fleet and has plans for more.

The opposition 13CABS fleet has two of the hybrids and will soon add another with a distinct difference — it can run on LPG as well as petrol and electricity.

Falcons still in the fleets will be gradually phased out.

According to both companies the hybrids have proven to be more reliable and economical than the traditional gas-powered cars which once dominated the fleet.

“With the number of kilometres we do it’s all about economy, so we try to source what is the most efficient vehicle,” Radio Taxis spokesman Andrew Watson said.

“We cover 120,000-130,000 (kilometres) a year in our taxis and need reliability. Some of our Camrys have done 250,000 kilometres and have been basically maintenance-free apart from tyres, lights and other usual replacement items.

“We had three diesel vehicles and traded them for hybrids.” The chief operating officer for the metropolitan-based 13CABS, Stuart Overell, said his company had improved the hybrid Camry economy even further by fitting a compact LPG tank and engine injection system.

“This hybrid is much more efficient than straight LPG,” he said. “We’re selling 10 hybrid-gas Toyota taxis to every one Falcon. The vehicle has been developed in our metro market and made available across all our network.

“There is likely to be one in Warrnambool soon. Hybrids are the way of the future.”

http://www.standard.net.au/story/193...ort-of-choice/

Sabantien · 11-03-2016, 06:18 PM

I mostly see hybrid Camrys, and those Passats that were mentioned.

The only Falcons I see are the G6E silver service ones, and even they're being replaced by the top end Camrys, and I have also seen the odd Lexus taxi.

minheim · 11-03-2016, 06:41 PM

Don't most taxi operators source used vehicles these days. I suspect Camrys will dominate and anything else that fleet operators use and dispose of at auction and which are in large numbers.

Road Games · 11-03-2016, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUXRII

So what, you're running a diesel on LPG?

Here's a thought, you could have bought a barra and jumped a step.

Here's a thought, disconnect your internet hulk and get a life... Bought that VF yet

(c)

Phildo · 11-03-2016, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SYZ

I'm guessing that only time will tell, and when we can also cite major km's across numerous examples. As of yet, they've not really been tested in Australia for longevity—like the Falcons have been over a couple of decades.

Check Gumtree, there are ex-taxi Camry Hybrids on there regularly.

Black & White in Brisbane have usually got at least one for sale.

malazn mafia · 11-03-2016, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phildo

Check Gumtree, there are ex-taxi Camry Hybrids on there regularly.

Black & White in Brisbane have usually got at least one for sale.

What do they go for? Some mad scientist could electrically boost one using Tesla components for some 0-100 in 3 second squirts, while cruising around on LPG and not needing a power point. Ultimate sleeper/daily that nobody would want to steal, mismatched hubcaps, rough paint job and bowling hat in the rear window for extra effect.

Brazen · 11-03-2016, 07:35 PM

Prius V would be a good choice as it's a wagon and more practical than Camry. I wonder why taxi operators pick the Camry over it - must be cheaper

**Beastie** · 11-03-2016, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AUXRII

Well point me in the direction of those discussions. I have read the forum widely and not come across discussion of the replacement beyond a few mentions of the Camry.

Simply wondering if there are going to be any alternatives to the Camry such as the Octavia or the Outback or is it going to be all Camry.

Steve.

Toyota's Owners Club

SYZ · 11-03-2016, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phildo

Check Gumtree, there are ex-taxi Camry Hybrids on there regularly.

Black & White in Brisbane have usually got at least one for sale.

I took the time (yes, I'm bored LOL) to trawl through around 200 Gumtree ads for Hybrids, and noted that most of them had less than 100,000km on the clock, and many were in the sub-50,000km range.

So... the highest was one at 177,000km of which its owner says "this car will likely live to see over 400,000km".

The only former hybrid taxi listed (in Salisbury) was a May 2010 model at 451,000km, which is around half what a Falcon would have on the clock after the same period.

Based on these examples, I'm still not convinced of the Camry Hybrid's longevity. The jury is still out.