Taxis

[benzoboy]

I just thought of this while looking at the Ford Crown Vic on wikipedia... which country has the best taxi?

It's definitly not the U.K, we have two sorts, the LTI Fairway, A.K.A 'The Black Cab'...

(Although it does have excellent cornering abilities, no joke... they have a very small turning circle)

Also, we have the private hires taxis, or 'Minicabs'. These are usually early '90s Toyota Previas or Nissan Serenas, but can vary to late '90s saloon cars, such as a Vauxhall Vectra or Ford Mondeo...

So what about you other countries then?

 

[1X83Z]

I rode in a W124 E-class in Paris... not incredible, but up there.

There's also this:

That picture was taken in Lisbon, Portugal, with the caption "Gallardo TAXI in front of the Amoreiras Shopping."

 

[Philly]

There's a private company out here that runs Lincolns, including limos for Airport runs. I'll have to say France with their Benzes. Those are pretty slick. I guess an American would say that the London cabs are cool, just because they are a symbol that represents (to us) British culture. Either that or they are still around because they are actually good cars.

 

[Dave A]

LTI's black cabs arn't bad, though the prices of companies that run them seem very high, they arn't that luxurious but I don't think any other type of cab short of a minivan cab offers as much space. We do have a few BMW and Mercedes raxi's here as well.

 

[mwoodski]

What about these Black Cabs, they are quite nice.

 

[Jim Prower]

One of the local cab companies used to advertise, "When you've been out late, and you've been Drinkin', River City Cab will pick you up in a Lincoln! (For the same price as those other cab dudes.)"

So, yeah, we've got mostly black Lincoln Town Cars, older models, running around here. There aren't many cabs in Peoria though; we're not very big.

 

[Dave A]

What about these Black Cabs, they are quite nice.

I've never been in one.

 

[Sage]

Uhhh… taxis don’t really seem to exist in California, unless you’re going to the airport. It’s been about a year since I’ve seen a taxi. Anyway, they’re always beater Crown Vics.

 

[MistaX]

Those win. Mostlikely because those are the ones I'm so used to seeing. So they're clearly the best.

 

[vladimir]

There's a private company out here that runs Lincolns, including limos for Airport runs. I'll have to say France with their Benzes. Those are pretty slick. I guess an American would say that the London cabs are cool, just because they are a symbol that represents (to us) British culture. Either that or they are still around because they are actually good cars.

since when is france renown for having mercs as taxis? i am sure that most french taxis are french cars, with a few mercs inbetween.

the e-class is still the most common taxi in germany, although in the last couple of years a lot of other manufacturers have stepped into the market.

 

[mwoodski]

This one wins.(From the upcoming movie, Taxi 4.

 

[harrytuttle]

These were fantastic. A true NYC rolling landmark. Up until 25 years ago, they had these great little deathtrap seats. In front of the rear seats, but behind the front seat row were two flimsy, fold-up stools. No backrest, no handles, and no seatbelts anywhere in sight. Yet everywhere you went between November 26th and January 2nd, families would load up in these with the kids essentially standing in a poorly driven vehicle.

And it was driven by Mr. T. How can you beat that.

 

[skip0110]

Those win. Mostlikely because those are the ones I'm so used to seeing. So they're clearly the best.

Well they are the best, because they ride smooth, decent back seat room, and have plenty of power so you're not annoyed by a strained sounding engine.

Mostly thats what I see but there is the odd Grand Caravan or Scion xB (I'm not kidding, I would never ride in one of those).

http://www.hellotaxi.net/ <--- they are the ones with the stupid Scions

 

[rovens]

Old Merc = Bombay Taxi

 

[1X83Z]

I saw a 00-04 Subaru Legacy GT taxi in Denver.

 

[Slicks]

A number of locals at the airport use Priii (Priuses? Preeeiiiiiiiiiiii?) as cabs. Those, Crown Vics, and the odd Impala and Caprice.

 

[benzoboy]

That reminds me, a few years back I rode in a W140 S-Class, that was pretty high on the list of cool taxis. There are also a few taxi companies that have both W210/1 E-Classes

A number of locals at the airport use Priii (Priuses? Preeeiiiiiiiiiiii?) as cabs. Those, Crown Vics, and the odd Impala and Caprice.

Like this one?

BTW, it's Priii (Pronounced P-ree)

 

[Slicks]

Yeah, like that one. Except with an East Indian/Pakistani/Osama lookalike behind the wheel. Doing 10 under the speed limit.

 

[amp88]

What about these Black Cabs, they are quite nice.

Yep, I'd say for ordinary, run-of-the-mill taxis (i.e. not anything special like Gallardos, Limos etc) these take the prize. Easy seating for 5 in (relative) comfort. Shame the prices are so high, but shared between 4 or 5 mates it's not that bad.

 

[Revheadnz]

Heh, in Auckland I've seen more than a few HSV taxis, usually VT or VY Clubsports. Imagine being taxied home hammered in a LS1 powered taxi...

 

[Jim Prower]

BTW, it's Priii (Pronounced P-ree)

Like Wii?

Fah, I digress.

I'd like to get my hands on an old Checker one of these days.

 

[DQuaN]

Does the scooterman count?

I don't know if it's available elsewhere, but in London you can drive out to a pub or resturant or wherever you like, get totally smashed, and call the scooterman. This guy will come along on the tiniest little bike, pack it into a bag, put it in the boot of your car, and drive you home in your own car! I've never used one, but I hear the prices are quite reasonable.

 

[1X83Z]

BTW, it's Priii (Pronounced P-ree)

Disgusting.

By the way, the proper term is "Priuses." It's a proper name, so the ending doesn't change. Same for "Lexuses."

 

[High-Test]

The Checker Marathon beats all taxicabs hands down. Virtually unchanged from 1958-1981, what's wrong with that? Don't mess with Success..

 

[Jondot]

I can't believe how much those LTI cabs cost. I read somewhere that they're on sale for £25k. I'd rather ride in a BMW 3 series, thanks.

This one wins.(From the upcoming movie, Taxi 4.

Hahaha, I have to see that. I like the original one...and that's all I've watched. I need to check the others.

These were fantastic. A true NYC rolling landmark. Up until 25 years ago, they had these great little deathtrap seats. In front of the rear seats, but behind the front seat row were two flimsy, fold-up stools. No backrest, no handles, and no seatbelts anywhere in sight. Yet everywhere you went between November 26th and January 2nd, families would load up in these with the kids essentially standing in a poorly driven vehicle.

And it was driven by Mr. T. How can you beat that.

Don't forget Phoebe from friends

Yeah, that's rachel, but I couldn't find a better pic of the cab...

 

[GT4_Rule]

We have decent taxis. Like Malibus, Priuses, Crown Vics, Camrys and etc.

 

[CDailey]

Mainly late 90s Crown Vics and and Caprices. There's a few newer Impalas and Malibus around here too.

 

[mwoodski]

I can't believe how much those LTI cabs cost. I read somewhere that they're on sale for £25k. I'd rather ride in a BMW 3 series, thanks.


Hahaha, I have to see that. I like the original one...and that's all I've watched. I need to check the others.

Do you, or anyone else, know where I can get Taxi 1 and 2, on DVD, with english subtitles, for Region 1 DVD players?

 

[benzoboy]

Yeah, like that one. Except with an East Indian/Pakistani/Osama lookalike behind the wheel. Doing 10 under the speed limit.

Oh, so it's the same as England then