LET'S TALK ABOUT TAXI VEHICLES.
Considering the vehicle; Most any vehicle will suffice as a taxicab IF it is
in good condition (maintenance costs skyrocket if it isn't because taxis are
USED to death). A taxi cab needs to be large... that is, spacious. If the
passenger is cramped and folded in the rear seat, he won't book you for the
return trip. Lincoln Town Car (NOT the Continental - too small), Cadillac
DeVille, larger Buicks, Chevrolet Astro Vans, Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand
Marquis, Chevy Caprice (if you can find one), Chrysler Co. Caravan/Villager line, all
good choices. Ford Aerostar and Ford Windstar are not bad vehicles, but they
have a reputation for possible transmission problems in our experience. Toyota Sienna
is a good vehicle but like any foreign car, parts may be more difficult to get.
There are those who love almost any car... we have made taxis from VW Rabbits, a
VW Micro-Bus, very old Volvos, Chevy Celebrity, Mercury Tracer... good grief! In
Mexico City they all use VW Bugs!! Oiii! Remember, if you invest money, time,
effort and maybe TLC in a vehicle making it a Cab, you are making a mobile ROOM
in which you will probably spend the greater portion of your next several years.
If it's too small, too uncomfortable, too whatever, your customers will detect
that and NOT be back. If it's too expensive to pay for, you'll run it into the
ground trying to make the payments without maintenance. Bad plan. If it's an SUV
that guzzles gas, drives like a truck and takes up two parking slots, you'll
hate it in a month. An older clean car with meticulous detailing and no smoking
will work better as a starter. You can get the latest Lincoln Extra Extra model
later on. Also look carefully at insurance costs. You may find there is a
substantial difference between older and newer cars, certain brands, even the
location of your office!
There is an on-line service that lets you
discover the history of used cars by their VIN Vehicle Identification Number.
That's on the door frame and in the window in front of the driver, visible from
the outside. You can also find it on the engine.
Go to 
www.carfax.com Well worth your time!
Also note that when you register your vehicle as a "Taxi", it appears
on Carfax and other agency reports as a taxi. That means it will resell for less
later because we beat them up in this industry! No, WE don't sell Vehicles or
Insurance, but this information may help you get them.
Signs identifying you as a Taxi Cab are sometimes painted on the car, but
more often a vinyl lettering system provided by reputable sign shops can give
you a very professional look for not too much money. Some areas allow magnetic
signs. We supply those for a reasonable cost if you need them. Ask us. fred@taxicabelectronics.com
is our e-mail. Or you can click "Magnetic
Signs" below.
Toplights, Lighted Signs, Car-top Markers, call them what you will. you will
need one of these to look like a taxi! We have them too, in a large
variety. We can even custom make them, pre-letter them, supply them in colors
and more. Ask us. fred@taxicabelectronics.com
is our e-mail. See "toplights"
below
Advertising signs mounted on your roof - usually triangular units with
changeable billboards - Ad Carriers - will make you money and provide a moving
signboard for your sponsors. We carry those too. Ask us. fred@taxicabelectronics.com
is our e-mail. There are also signs that run fore-and-aft and have a
strobe light at the rear that flashes "CALL 911" when you hit a panic
button in the car! See "Combo 911 Signs" below, or Ask us. fred@taxicabelectronics.com
is our e-mail. Oh, regarding roof-top signs, remember of you plan to use a VERY
TALL vehicle like a Ford E350 Van, and you plan to put a 15" sign or larger
on the roof, you are also planning to avoid those hotels and medical facilities
that have "bridge" type canopies, overhanging roofs and certain very
low under-passes. There is nothing attractive about a broken ad sign, especially
where it slammed into a hotel's rain-roof! Might upset customers too!
CLICK
HERE for TOPLIGHTS
CLICK
HERE for AD CARRIERS
CLICK
HERE FOR COMBO 911 AD SIGNS
CLICK
HERE for MAGNETIC SIGNS
CLICK
HERE TO RETURN TO OUR HOME PAGE
THANKS!