looking for a car suggestions

[oldschooleco]

Hello everyone, Im going to be purchasing a car soon and I'm looking for suggestions. Requirements are 2006+ and i Have 2500 to spend (Hopefully less, but i know thats a lot to ask). I will be using the car for uber in Detroit. It is not the main reason for getting this car, but one of them. I can drive a stick, but id prefer auto for this car-(unless you guys can talk me into it)I will be driving a lot of miles cross country/ lots o highway, take the car camping ect. So possibly a hatch/wagon would be a good move. And after i get the car i will progressively make eco improvements to get max economy. What would you get?

-Thank you for your input

[rmay635703]

https://cargraph.com/usa/toyota/prius#s=p

Search lowest price first and be willing to drive fix and deal with scams

[oldschooleco]

Originally Posted by rmay635703

https://cargraph.com/usa/toyota/prius#s=p

Search lowest price first and be willing to drive fix and deal with scams

Thank you,but I'm still iffy on the hybrid scene. All of the ones I've actually seen in that price range have defective/missing battery packs or 300000 miles and very tired. Ive been researching, what does everyone thing about the mazda 5 (like the mini mini van) Id get it with the stick and do some aero mods on it. kinda like the whole idea of it, but I'm not sure if something like that would be realistic.

[rmay635703]

2006 Toyota Prius Hybrid

Prius's are being hit hard by low gas prices, your statement may have been true a year ago but no so much now.

Also a prius is good for about 500k, the battery is minor, a dead engine is under a $150 to replace (if you do the work)

The expensive stuff is if the "transaxle" or any of its components die.

I would never drive anything but a prius (or possibly a used volt) as a taxi.

As for the mazda 5, my luck has never been good with Mazda, but if you know them more power to you, the same site I provided can be used to find any car.

Worth a look, pig and a poke style
http://providence.craigslist.org/ctd/5701977256.html

Good Luck
Ryan

[oldschooleco]

Thank you again, i guess i didn't realize the remarkable durability of the Prius. How much potential do they actually have though? what mpg do you return in yours?hopefully these numbers will push me over the edge to buy. I just usually drive "different" cars, driving one where their is so many of the same is an unconventional idea for myself.

[redpoint5]

Uber requires that the car be no more than 10 years old. A 2006 will soon be older than this.

I second the opinion to get a Prius. In 2007, the Prius gained more standard features and had some improvements, so I'd go with a 2007 or newer.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Uber requires that the car be no more than 10 years old. A 2006 will soon be older than this.

This is what I get, WTF is it with random requirements for uber?

So I guess whether a 2006 is OK, depends totally on where he lives.

•Atlanta – 2005 or newer
•Boston – 2001 or newer
•Chicago – 2001 or newer
•DC: 2005 or newer
•Denver – 2001 or newer
•Dallas – 2003 or newer
•Milwaukee – 2001 or newer
•Nashville – 2001 or newer
•New York City: 2010 or Newer
•Philadelphia – 2000 or newer (could be 2001 or newer but not updated yet on Uber)
•Pittsburgh – 2006 or newer (hybrids 2004 or newer)
•LA/OC/SD and SF – 2001 or newer

Also I have never owned a Prius, like you when I was actually in the market I thought them way overpriced, now that they aren't, I own a volt so don't need one.

I do have friends that own a Prii and have test drove a prius various times (usually in the winter) I could usually manage 50mpg for the short test drive but I would expect 40mpg plus in non-optimal conditions as a taxi and probably 50+ in optimal, obviously depending heavily on how you drive the thing.

Good Luck
Ryan

[oldschooleco]

ill be ubering in Detroit, they require vehicles to be 2001 or newer. i just wanted one a few years newer incase they change their rules..but id probably be fine with saying it has to be an 03.

Is the general consensus-get a prius, but id just like to know other (non hybrid) options.My thought is that i can maybe get a little bit more car for the money while sacrificing a little mpg.

Ive always been interested in TDIs as well, but i work at auto zone. And vw's don't get the best wrap. Odd things are always breaking, they have special fasteners, fluids, hard to find parts and the check engine light is alway on. lol

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by oldschooleco

Ive always been interested in TDIs as well, but i work at auto zone. And vw's don't get the best wrap. Odd things are always breaking, they have special fasteners, fluids, hard to find parts and the check engine light is alway on. lol

Having owned a TDI I can say that my experience was sub par, the car was great while running but a pile in terms of constant mandatory maintenance.

Timing belts, clogging intakes (winter), glow plugs, glow plug harness maintenance, injection pump, flakey auto xmsn (don't own an auto vw) and even a glovebox that breaks, with an interior that was totally impossible to clean.

That said you might get a deal on a TDI given current events but the cost of a TDI is not in purchase price, or fuel.

I would never own another TDI again if it was given to me, unless perhaps it was a totally different design.

Ah well

In terms of what I would recommend, I guess it depends too on what type of car will attract business to you, I have no idea what that is of coarse, but I would estimate a 25mpg Mazda 5 might grab the attention of folks with lots of luggage.

Other cheap options (if your going stick) is most any Saturn with a stick (4 door of coarse) and obviously the Cobalt 4 door with a stick both can do very well on fuel, they are simple cars so maintenance is very simple and parts are cheap and plentiful. I am told some of the Ford econobox's don't do bad either when in stick shift form but my experience with Ford has never been stellar either.

I guess it depends on the old, the devil you know conundrum, if you know what breaks on a car and how to deal or fix cheap then that car is fine for you regardless of how reliable it really is.

Sorry I can't Help More
Ryan

[redpoint5]

There are certainly more luxurious vehicles for the price.

There are also cars with more performance, but how often do you need more power than the Prius at full throttle can deliver? Passengers shouldn't be subjected to more acceleration than the Prius can deliver anyhow.

One thing I appreciate about the Gen III Prius is the lack of any belts at all. The accessory belt was eliminated since Toyota changed the water pump to electric. Valve timing is via a chain, so it shouldn't require maintenance.

$2,500 isn't much to work with. Perhaps you could get a Camry for that. That at least is a comfortable ride for passengers, gets decent fuel economy, and is very reliable.