Good, efficient, used vehicle for ride sharing? (EG. Uber / Lyft)

[redpoint5]

Of course, my comments are almost always in the general rather than specific, unless I am referring to someone in particular. Point is, manuals are going the way of the Dodo, and that's largely due to younger people not being interested, and older people wanting the "luxury" of an automatic.

[cajunfj40]

Hello 19bonestock88,

We've got a 2007 Mazda5 with a bit over 150k miles on it, auto trans. If you are used to a midsize sedan, they will be a nearly seamless replacement in terms of "where it can go/fit". I can see right over it, it isn't overly long, the sliding doors are *extremely* practical, and you can fit a surprising amount of stuff in them. Regularly averages 22-26mpg with no special care for driving techniques other than "don't speed if possible", including remote starting in winter and super-hot summers.

Things to look out for: the first gen at least is a rust magnet. Rear wheelwells at the pinch seam behind the doors/above the wheels, plus where the rear bumper plastic attaches to the rear of the wheelwell. We've done the entire front suspension within the last ~50k or so, not too bad. Rear strut mounts break at about 75k intervals when in a salted road area, maybe less frequently if you replace the struts before they go bad. They are very picky on tires - get a set that it doesn't like and it'll burn off the inside edge below the wear-bars in 15kmiles, even with the alignment in spec. NOTE: It's the same suspension as a Mazda3 or Ford Focus and any other derivatives, so watch those as well. The rear-most seats are quite cramped, though the fold and tumble middle seat makes access not bad. Front legroom is maybe an inch/inch and a half too short for my 5'11" self - makes long drives a bit uncomfortable. At this mileage the rear suspension needs servicing - all the adjusters are frozen, and half the bushings are torn. Parts aren't bad, but if you aren't a DIY it isn't cheap to have done. The front under-engine plastic tray is crap, gets bashed up and the mounts break and the screws rust and strip out in the clips so they won't come out, etc. The heat-shield for the exhaust softens up over time and falls down - ours is scraping now. Very low ground clearance, so snow is an issue if it gets too deep.

Been a great family car, but don't rely on the back seats for adult passengers unless in a pinch - your customers will complain about being pinched. We love it for our family because our two kids can fit in the way-back when we need to haul more people, but as a taxi it is kind of lacking if you want to claim a full 5 passengers. Technically you can do it. I would not want to ride in the back if I called you, though. 2nd gen may be better - go sit in one before you pull the trigger on it.

[19bonestock88]

Can the second row seat three? You mentioned a fold and tumble seat...

How many miles are too many for a 2010 Prius? I seen them with 160 to 220k

[redpoint5]

I've heard of more squeaks and rattles from 2010-2011 years, plus in 2012 more stuff was included in the base model such as Bluetooth. You can identify lack of Bluetooth on 2010-2011 models if there are no phone buttons on the steering wheel.

Can't speak to too many miles, however high mileage should be reflected in the price. The thing is, those crazies on CL always ask too much. Don't be afraid to pitch offers thousands below what they ask. The last car I bought for someone was a 2014 C-Max that was listed at $8,500 and I purchased for $7,000 after offering $6,000. My low initial offer set the tone that I wouldn't pay anything near to asking.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by 19bonestock88

It doesn’t make any sense to buy a car just one model year newer than mine lol

Originally Posted by mpg_numbers_guy

Lol, why not?

The OP is buying a car to drive for Uber / Lift. The car cannot be older than 15 years old.

[19bonestock88]

I was looking at dealers, through AutoTempest, within 200mi of my home... ideally I’d find one in WV to avoid paying tax twice or find a private owner that’ll let me bring it home and then get it’s new tags

[19bonestock88]

Originally Posted by JSH

The OP is buying a car to drive for Uber / Lift. The car cannot be older than 15 years old.

Exactly, I’d ideally find a 09-10 car unless something a little newer comes up cheap enough... I mean, I’d LOVE a NEW car (been drooling over the Model3) but I’m trying to be cheap... if I could pay cash for something like an 06-07 car, I’d consider it, but I’d only get 2-3 years before it needed replaced anyway

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

Except I bet real world and $2.50/gal gas doesn't work out to be that big of a difference. Heck I doubt I end up spending $10,000 in gas total for my first 100,000 miles in the minivan so unless the Prius is free. .

The OP wants to drive Uber 30,000 miles per year

The Grand Caravan is rated at 20 mpg combined. The OP gets 20 mpg combined today driving a Saturn Ion (which is rated 26 combined) so even the combined rating is likely optimistic for taxi use.

Caravan:
30,000 / 20 mpg = 1500 gallons x $2.50 = $3,750

Prius
30,000 / 50 mpg = 600 gallon x $2.50 = $1,500

That is a difference of $2,250 per year or $188 per month.

If we use the city rating for the Caravan the difference jumps to $2912 per year or $243 per month.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by 19bonestock88

I was looking at dealers, through AutoTempest, within 200mi of my home... ideally I’d find one in WV to avoid paying tax twice or find a private owner that’ll let me bring it home and then get it’s new tags

You don't pay taxes twice if you buy an out-of-state car.

[redpoint5]

Last car I bought was found using the OfferUp app. I'd also check CL and the other usual sources for private party sales. I'm more comfortable buying from the owner since you can ask them questions. If you buy from a dealer, they won't know anything about the car and will charge you a premium despite their ignorance.