Quote:
Originally posted by xcel@Oct 4th 2004 @ 4:31 PM
Hi Jason:
___There was an article, in the Chicago Tribune Transportation section a few months ago (IIRC?), where they looked into a Prius II’s for Taxicab use. What the author of the article found was that most of the Taxi-Cab’s being purchased were used Chevrolet Caprice’s and with conversions cost just $7,000 - $8,000. I don’t remember the total miles/year driven but it must have been ~ 50,000 or more miles. If the average Caprice received ~ 15 mpg around town for 50,000 miles/year, they would have a yearly fuel charge of ~ $6,650 .00 vs. $2,200 for a Prius II at 45 mpg. With the price of an average Prius II somewhere in the $23,000 + range and another $1,250 in taxes, you could drive the Caprice for far in excess of 200,000 miles and they would break even on fuel costs alone. Just imagine what the repair costs of a Prius II in Taxi-Cab use would be at 200,000 miles? It would be cost prohibitive given the suspension and steering HW abuse a Taxi Cab receives let alone the Pack replacement and HW repair needed in that kind of environment. If there is anything that can be said for American Iron, large American city - Taxi-Cab use/abuse is its saving grace.
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net
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Your talking about a brand new freaking car vrs a used (and probably VERY used by police forces under its previous ownership) one though. What is this conversion your talking about? Putting an electric motor and mating it to the Caprices engine? If so, that makes sence. If not, then thats one very biased review.
Although Prius I's are probably inadequate for taxi use (ever sit in the back seat of a Caprice? Almost have Maybachish legroom) they would be more suitable for an equal comparison. Prius I's, mile per mile, cost probably two or three grand more than a Caprice. Noting the way taxi cab drivers leave their engines running idle for better than a quarter of the cars life (I know, I used to work at a taxi business) and considering that Prius' engine shuts down at a stop, I would think within even maybe a year or two the Prius would pay for itself on fuel savings alone.
BUT, if their talking about doing a conversion where the Caprice would get a hybrid drivetrain for ~$7,000, then that would be good economics to just go with the hybrid Caprice. Otherwise, its better economics to get the Prius I. Maybe in two or three years it would make good business sense to even get the Prius II.