I don’t have occasion to Uber or Lyft very often, but when I do, I’m always curious about the car and driver that are picking me up. Sometimes, if not oftentimes, it’s clear the driver is simply using their daily to generate a little extra cash, a side hustle if you will (a euphemism I don’t particularly like myself, but it’s what the kids say). I’ve stuffed myself and my family into base-spec Dodge Chargers, Nissan Altimas, one Chevy Bolt, an F-150, and somehow, a Kia Rondo twice. Different Rondos, mind you, not the same guy two times. Each was acceptably not-filthy but hardly clean, and personalized to one degree or another with touches ranging from sentimental (family photo on the dash) to silly (stick-on Pep Boys portals).
Other times, I feel safe assuming the driver has chosen their vehicle expressly for Ubering. I usually make the call based on how clean the exterior of the car is, the degree to which the interior is free of any traces that a family of any sort is using the car on the reg, and whether the driver appears fresh and ready for a few hours of driving or looks as if they’ve already seen a full day’s work. Of course, the biggest tell is the vehicle being something that makes sense for the task at hand, such as a large sedan or full-sized SUV. Bonus points if it’s black.
As I ride along to the airport, I can’t help but wonder what I would choose if I had to rely on a ride-share service for my main income. The “ultimate Uber” answers are easy – Rolls Royce Phantom, Mercedes Maybach S-Class, that sort of thing – but upon descending to the real world, where I have to insure the thing and cover maintenance and repairs while being frugal with my Uber-earnings, the choices narrow and become far, far less spendy.
I’ve researched this exactly zero, but I feel like a well-kept, later-model Lincoln Town Car would be a good choice. You can actually spend pretty big on these things if you want a minty example (as high as $46,000 by our last accounting), but we don’t need a showroom-condition car here. No, just a clean copy that’s been well maintained, nice-old-lady style, is all we need. Acquiring such a machine shouldn’t require a huge outlay of cash, and with the Town Car being about as time-tested as a car can be, and produced in copious quantities for decades (until it wasn’t), the luxurious Panther platformer should be easy to keep running while keeping customers happy in the back seat.
Your turn: You’re Going All-In As An Uber Driver. What Vehicle Are You Choosing For The Job?
Top graphic image: Bring A Trailer
Toyota Probox. Toyota reliability. Hybrid for good fuel economy. Wagon with large luggage area for airport runs. Vinyl seats for easy cleaning. Extremely cheap. Ticks all the boxes (including having “box” in the name, and being box-shaped).
I’ve actually been comtemplating this. Current DD is a 2015 Outback, but not sure I’d want to mile up what is really the wifes car. A quick perusal of the internet turned up a hidden gem – a 2015 Kia Cadenza Premium with just over 40,000 miles on it. V6, large car luxury, inconspicuous, and finished in a dark grey that almost screams “livery”.
Maybe EV school bus with a nice partition?I really don’t want to drive people around no matter what the pay is and definitely want my space.
3rd gen Toyota Camry, 4 cyl
Camry hands-down.
I have to use Corporate profile when booking, and it always wants to select ‘Green’, which invariably means a Tesla. I will over-ride to get a Camry and explain to the boss later I didn’t want to be nauseous
My first trip to NYC was in ’09. A time where you printed MapQuest directions, text messages cost money, and private car services existed where Uber didn’t. If you were in the know, you could book a private car for half the cost of a “yo homes, smell you later” cabbie.
Well I did this, and my driver was waiting with my name on a printed piece of paper and took my luggage to his Lincoln TC Executive with limo tint. I was in the midst of watching the later seasons of The Sopranos and I’ve never felt that ‘I have arrived’ then rolling across the Brooklyn Bridge than that experience.
10/10 it has to be an extended sedan such as that.
My vote: Lincoln Continental Coach Doors Edition (suicide doors)
I don’t usually do “rideshare” but last year was in two Lyfts that are were memorable. The first was an ID.4 (the Volkswagen BEV) which was surprisingly roomy in the back and the driver said he was using the free charging that came for the first year or two with the car – he had a favorite fast charger that was in an industrial park that was usually empty. The second was a Mazda SUV – which as expected had been trouble free for 100k miles and is the near luxury car that is perfect for this type of service. The Mazda driver was super professional and liked driving much better than his previous long term career as a cook in a Chinese restaurant.
In general I only use these services when I travel for business and someone else makes the arrangements. Business travel is great for trying out various cars at the rental counter. If you like having a random selection get a National membership. If you like European (BMW) cars get a SIXT membership- last year I compared the Avis rental and I got an X3 at SIXT for the cost of a Ford Escape at Avis.
A Lexus LC500. Because now it’s tax deductible.
Id probably go with a hybrid sienna
It can do the small and big jobs, get great economy, probably run a long time with little to no bs, be comfy, and with a higher trim level, have privacy and a good ride.
Id probably go a little further and put a big ass rubber mat on the floors and good seat covers in the inevitable event of.. extra messes made.
I would go Prius or other Toyota hybrid maybe an PHEV or bev , rex is probably the answer. I guess it depends on market but Toyota hybrids and BEVs seem to do well.
I’d go for a restomod Checker Marathon, with a swapped in hybrid powertrain from the aforementioned Toyota Avalon.
What else will do the job besides a vehicle with the Jatco Xtronic CVT? Smooth, so the passenger is never disturbed by the unpleasant shifting of an archaic transmission style, and good fuel economy to help save you money too.
The summer of 2016 I drove for Uber as a side hustle. Used a 2014 Grand Caravan, and it was pretty much the perfect vehicle. Plenty of room for several passengers, or for a family of 4 and their luggage to and from an airport. Easy ingress and egress. Not so huge that driving it on narrower/ busier streets downtown was a hassle. Plenty of USB ports for people to charge up. Gas consumption was not too outlandish.