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
Chevrolet Suburban. Lets you pick up Black XL, Black, and XL rides thus increasing your availability (and putting you in the highest paying categories). I’ve never been unhappy to have one pop up as my uber ride
Subaru Brat. I’ve got room for only two, guess where that is???
thinking that something like a Toyota Avalon would be pretty perfect. Nice enough, but not too nice, reliable, easy to live with, etc.
Honda Element. You can hose out the interior.
In this case I think there is a wide gap between the interests of an Uber operator and an Uber passenger. I love me some Panther, but as a business proposition I don’t think it would be a good choice at all.
Prius V, easy choice. Decent fuel economy, almost-minivan space.
Second choice: Toyota Sienna. Still decent fuel economy though not quite as good, actual minivan space.
Distant third choice: Pacifica PIH. Plug-in efficiency at least for a while (and I’d plug in at every opportunity), very nice appointments inside. But it’s a Chrysler.
I’m still upset that there are so few V’s on the used market. Almost exclusively bought as taxis and ubers, so they usually show up with 200k kms asking $15,000.
Side note, I think a cool 2 car garage would be a CTS V Wagon and Prius V Wagon, the 2 opposites of V wagons
There aren’t many used Prius-Vs because they were far too much of an upcharge when they were new. I really wanted to like them, but Toyota made it very difficult to justify the extra cost.
And the Prius-C was priced way too close to an ordinary Prius for what it was, for those who wanted something smaller.
Almost all of the Ubers/Lyfts I’ve ridden in have been hybrids, and most of them Toyotas, so I’d probably get the cheapest Prius that was in good shape and met whatever criteria they currently have to be a usable vehicle. Sure, I wouldn’t be able to take larger groups or the fancier level jobs, but I’ll take the reliability and fuel savings.
Having had experience as an Uber driver in the past, I can say, that while not up on their latest rules, you can’t just pick any car you want. The car has to meet the criteria that is established, by Uber, as acceptable for your home market. At this point, even the newest Town Car you can find is likely to be too old by Uber standards to use. And, at one point anyway, if not still, they prohibited the use of the Ford Crown Victoria. All that being said, you want the simplest, most bullet-proof gas-miser you can muster. Provided you want to actually try and make money. I’m talking late model Camry or Accord. I know we would all like to get paid to drive around in our lovely fancy car that we think would make a good Uber. I did it. It sucks for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is you’re not clearing enough profit. I mean, you’re not clearing enough profit for it to be worthwhile for the most part ANYWAY, but especially not if you’re driving a gas guzzling Benz or Jag. I would say it was an INTERESTING experience, if not fun at times, but there wasn’t any real money there unless you’re going all-in seven days a week and giving your life to the “job”.
Reality shock is shocking.
I’m curious about your individual experience. Did you park between fares, or did you wander around looking? Did you have a lot of deadhead miles to get to each fare?
I did Uber and Lyft for a few months and although I know a more fuel efficient vehicle would have made me more money, fuel cost wasn’t nearly as punishing as I thought it would be. I had a few areas I targeted, and parked near the center of my target area between fares (hospitals and medical facilities were my “secret” free parking areas, and often a good source of fares, too). I was pretty selective about going outside my known profit zones.
It helped a lot to have drive for both at the same time, using two separate phones.
It depended on the area in which I was working. In a more urban area (i.e. City of Philadelphia), I would park and wait for the next fare with as little trolling as possible. Again, working in the city, there was a minimum of deadheading. As I would on occasion venture in to North Jersey, or the western Philadelphia suburbs can get a little rural and there you’re deadheading a lot more and you can’t help but troll (back toward a busier area, anyway) after dropping someone off in a more remote area. The longer rides were better fares. Sometimes it worked out, others not so much.
Anything with a barf bag dispenser installed in the back seat
A Jaguar XJL. It’s a huge sedan with extended space for the back seats. It’s the very best for rear seat room and comfort. Preferably with the supercharged V8 because I want to enjoy my job.
If I’m hosting riders, I’m doing it with class. I’m also sticking to Uber Black runs, to reduce my encounters with vomit and limit the time spent in sketchy neighborhoods.
Yeah, I’d probably need a Camry as a backup. But what a way to Uber, right?
Idk, wealthy clubbers order plenty of uber blacks, and they’re no stranger to vomit or sketchy areas.
True, but if I were out between midnight and 3 AM, I think I’d stay near the airports to minimize that sort of thing.
Corolla SportCross Hybrid. Taiwan is full of them, and every Uber driver has one. I’ve asked them why this particular model, and they all said, for the size and interior volume, you can’t beat its fuel economy, and there’s plenty of room for all of their fares, even the fat Americans.
A Prius-V. As reliable as a death and taxes, dirt cheap to maintain, plenty of space for people and bags, and 45-50mpg driving it like you stole it. And since “wagon eeeewww” generally cheaper than other Prius models.
But the better answer is “a real job”.
Didn’t they have fairly wide-spread head gasket issues (along with the 3rd gen Prius)?
Funny you say this. I have a 2012 Prius v at 160,000 miles, and I’m getting the engine water pump preventatively replaced in the hopes of precluding that issue, although it’s not definitely from that. I also had the EGR cleaned out at 140,000.
I looked at the forums and have agonized over this, and it’s nearly impossible for me to tell if it’s widespread, or simply a case of, yeah, everyone who this happened to is going to report it, while people who’ve had their car for 250,000+ miles aren’t going to loudly complain about it online.
I have my fingers crossed still.
Do as many new coolant hoses as you can swing too!
My buddy bought a used 3rd gen with a new engine, as it had overheated on the PO. Engine lasted 3 months before my buddy popped it AGAIN due to a blown coolant hose. New engine installed. Apparently the water pump failed AGAIN and almost popped the 3rd engine, but it was caught in time.
My mother owned one for a decade. The only issues were with the brakes and the software.
I don’t know what you’re doing with it, but I will only get 44 mpg in my 2012 Prius v in very specific hot weather. Even then, once it’s below 60 or so, it’s usually 38, and in really cold weather I’ve gotten low 30s. And I drive on the highways with cruise set at 67.
Although yes, I concede mine has been trouble-free so far and my friends tell me it smells good, which is really weird since all I do is vacuum it occasionally.
My mother owned one for a decade. She got 45-50mpg quite consistently, in Maine and in Florida. Drive slower.
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.
Well, it will be a nice and comfy two weeks until you explode the trans…
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.