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What is the ultimate NYC TAXI car?

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Obviously inspired by the other thread.
I never understood why Crown Vic are so privileged. There are not so roomy in the rear and drink a lot.
Like the London taxis, why not have adapted PT Cruiser with a turbo-diesel powerplant (Chrysler has plenty of them outside US)? Or even with the gas 2.4L. Don't taxi companies care about operating costs?
Even today, I have also seen in NYC several old 4-cyl. Odyssey (and Isuzu version). Don't they make more money with this kind of vehicles?
 
#3 ·
Re: What is the ultimate NYC TAXI car? (USER)

I talk to a lot of Taxi drivers at my work.
They seem to love the durability of the 4.6V8. Many of the cabs that get de-commissioned have over 1,000,000 kms on the clock and still running.
I'd like to see a crhysler 4cyl get that kind of milage.
And of course the low repair costs on the fords, tank-like built and soft ride also add to the popularity.
 
#4 ·
Re: What is the ultimate NYC TAXI car? (USER)

well one thing is the suspension is so much more rugged on the crown vics, the heavy duty a-arms in the front, and live axle in the back can take alot of abuse. Also the V8 cars, while they may drink a bit more, the engines would typically last longer because there usually at lower revs than most motors. Also a full length frame underneath a car helps its durability when some of the cabs have close to half a million miles on them.
 
#5 ·
Re: What is the ultimate NYC TAXI car? (USER)

For those who care:
Section 1. It is hereby proposed that Title 35 of the Rules of the City of New York, Chapter 3, Taxicab Specifications, Section 3-03, Taxicab Specifications on or after March 1, 1996, subdivision (c), be amended to read as follows:
Vehicle Specifications.
The vehicle shall be manufactured with heavy-duty equipment for taxicab, police or fleet service, except as provided in paragraph (7). There shall be a term in the VIN or in a body tag, which distinguishes the taxicab, police or fleet package from the standard sedan on which it is closed.
The vehicle shall have EPA passenger compartment interior volume index of at least 107 cubic feet.
The rear compartment of [the vehicle] any sedan approved for use as a taxicab shall meet the following dimensions as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers:
Minimum effective leg room (L51) must be at least [37] 43 inches.
Effective head room (H63) must be at least 37.5 inches.
The seat depth (L16) must be at least 18 inches.
The front compartment of [the vehicle] of any sedan approved for use as a taxicab shall meet the following dimensions:
Effective head room (H61) must be at least 37.5 inches.
Maximum effective leg room (L34) must be at least [40] 42 inches.
Total leg room (the sum of L34 and L51) must be at least [78] 85 inches.
The vehicle shall be equipped with a factory installed air conditioning system. If the vehicle model has available air conditioning outlets for the rear seat area, then the vehicle shall be equipped with such outlets.
The vehicle may be equipped with an engine in which the maximum horsepower exceeds 220.
The vehicle may be a [Honda Odyssey wagon, Isuzu Oasis wagon or a Ford Explorer utility vehicle] sedan, which meets the requirements of paragraphs 5 and 6 of this subdivision, and of paragraph (1) of subdivision (d)[.], or a minivan which has been approved by the Chairperson after a determination that the vehicle provides adequate safety and comfort to passengers, and which also meets the requirements of sections 5 and 6 of this subdivision. If the Federal government or the Commission determines that any of such vehicles must be wheelchair accessible, then such vehicles shall be wheelchair accessible to the extent of such Federal determination and requirements.
[(7)] (8) All windows of the vehicle must have a light transmittance of seventy (70) percent or more, with the exception of the uppermost six (6) inches of the front windshield.
 
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#9 ·
Re: What is the ultimate NYC TAXI car? (Potencia)

And let's not forget the elderly gentlemen who converted an e-class into a nyc cab. During college, my friends and I were only able to get it once, and when we proceeded to ask why he chose an e-class.
"Do you think, I'm driving this cab for the money? No, I live on the North Shore of Long Island (i.e. $$$), and I'm retired, I do this b/c I love the job."
Image

And just for some backup:
There are exactly 12,187 taxicabs in the City of New York, with the vast majority currently made up of Ford Crown Victorias, and the remainder made up of those Chevrolet Caprice models remaining after Chevrolet’s discontinuation of its manufacture, almost 600 Honda Odyssey and Isuzu Oasis taxicabs, two Lincoln Town Cars, two Mercedes Benz taxicabs, and a number of Ford Explorer taxicabs.



Modified by bugatti212 at 5:18 PM 11-8-2003
 
#13 ·
Re: What is the ultimate NYC TAXI car? (USER)

I heard on NPR a while ago they are bringing London Taxi's over. They interviewed some taxi drivers that have worked all over the world, and have driven a lot of different vehicles as taxis. They like the London Taxi cause it can take a lot of people, load and unload quickly, and can go all day with there little diesels on a full tank.
Why?:
Quote, originally posted by VeeDubDriver »
The vehicle may be equipped with an engine in which the maximum horsepower exceeds 220.



Modified by RobbieIG at 8:44 PM 11-8-2003
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Re: What is the ultimate NYC TAXI car? (RobbieIG)

Here are the modern versions like I saw at London.
Image

Image


  • Ford turbo 2.4 liter direct injection, turbo charged and intercooled diesel engine
    Left hand drive vehicle
    Power windows and door locks
    Passenger to driver intercom system includes hearing induction loop for passengers using hearing aids
    Front AM/FM radio, CD player with power antenna
    Wheelchair ramp with tie downs system
    Removable entry step
    90 degree door opening
    34.7" entry width
    53" height entry
    Six visually etched security handles
    Swivel out seat
    Integrated partition isolating the passenger area compartment for privacy and safety
    Ergonomically designed driver's seat with velour fabric and lumbar support
    Printed "easy clean" rear seating package. Poly vinyl chloride (PVC) seating surface
    Integrated passenger area child safety seat
    Passenger and drivers area power point for a mobile phone or laptop computer
    Integrated security system includes 2 remote keypads
    Dual air conditioning, independent front and rear zoned controls
    Dual heating zones, independent front and rear zoned controls
    Dual heated & power adjustable mirrors (black)
    Side protective moldings (black)
    Chrome surround front grill
    Black energy absorbent bumpers
    Taxi crown
    24 month or 36.000 mile power train warranty
    Choice of solid paints

London Taxis of North America.
Very stylish vehicles. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
http://www.ltna.com/
 
#16 ·
Re: What is the ultimate NYC TAXI car? (sebaz)

fwd taxis would have major problems. lots of heat is diverted to the rear diff with rwd. thats why the impala cop cars are dying after 50k miles. too much heat in one place. not to mention the oil and tranny coolers in the vics.
 
#17 ·
Re: What is the ultimate NYC TAXI car? (USER)

Boston has at least one 2003 Accord taxi running around. Which is funny, because when I bought my Accord one of the first things I said was "the back was big enough for a taxi". Man was I surprised to see one decked out in bright yellow and full on cab regalia.
There was an article in Autoweek a few weeks back stating that London Taxis are coming to the US, in fact the distributor is in Massachusetts and a handful are already running around Boston and a few other cities. It's powered by a Ford diesel and is left hand drive; otherwise it's exactly like the current London Taxis. London Taxis are way cooler than the Crown Victorias...
 
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