what u guys think using the LS as a cab or livery taxi . it is or is not a good idea????

 

There's a couple LS460s used as limos here in Vegas. Never seen a 430 though.

 

there are plenty of them in the city. suprised u've never seen one.

 

I've seen the 430 being used as both livery and yellow cab. Hey, it's RWD which is better for long term city driving and it'll pamper your customers to earn perhaps more tips. Also, fuel efficiency I would imagine no worse than the old Chevy Impalas and Caprices that were used as Taxis for so long.

 

You probably would have a select clientele if you use the ls as a taxi. Just watch out for those car jackers. I would do like the sedan services around here by phone call or walk ins. Most of them befriend there fairs.

 

I think its a great idea but a base LS? You'd have to keep a 45 tucked in between your seat and the center console lol.

 

Please, no yellow or checkered paint schemes. Otherwise, go for it.

 

FWIW; On my airport drop off's I had this discussion with a limo service driver who had been in the profession for 25 years. The company had bought a 430 to test but it didn't last 100K miles. If it had been a regular private owned car, no problem in getting the typical 200K miles. Under limo service, the bushings and suspension didn't hold up nor did the interior.

The MB S and Lincoln Town Car were their choice of sedans. The Lincoln we were in on the departure had 190K and was in excellent condition in-out. The MB-S 500 on our arrival had 210K miles, again excellent in-out. It was nice he remembered our departure discussion because I got to ride the Benz on the arrival ride home as a comparison.

The BMW 7 was a fun car but he said like the Lexus it was better as a private owned car. His personal choice off hours would be a Lexus.

 

thanksssssssss u guysssssssssss

 

Interesting that the 7 and LS interiors did not hold up under the stress of taxi service. I can see the suspensions going shot sooner on the LS with it's less than stiff starting point. Go from sponge to deflated in no time.

In the Arab countries, the MB's are put into taxi service, so I can see the MB's lasting longer. Also, Towncars are taxi vehicles, they're taxi work horses. Will be sad seeing the Towncars go.

 

its the Tex imitation leather in MB's that make the interior last so long. My FIL's 92 130C seats are still in excellent shape. that Tex Leather is something else!

 

I think it all depends on how you take care of the car. If its your car you baby it if its not you dont care about it. I own my LS and I've been using it as a limo/livery taxi since December of 2007. I have over 200k on the car now and never had any major issues with it. We have about 20 LS430s in our fleet and everyone is pretty happy with them.

 

thanks , so you know a good machanic in nyc ???????????

 

how can u not get more tips with massage seats?

 

I've used my LS for livery for 6yrs no complants and I pick alot of celebs although when the LS 500 comes out I'll upgrade to the 460L with the Excutive package