Car recommendations time!

"Rainbow" (rainbeaux)
10/20/2016 at 16:12 • Filed to: None

I’m looking to get a second car that I can use for Uber/Lyft. Basically, that just means it has to be newer than 2001 and has to have four doors. My budget is, ideally, under $5000, but I can go as high as $10k or so. Obviously a 5-speed is ideal, but I don’t care too much as long as the price is right.

My top considerations right now are a Honda Fit, a Mazda Protege5, a Kia Spectra, or a Suzuki Kizashi. I only have experience driving the Kia, out of these. So does anyone have any insight about the rest and/or other suggestions? This will likely be my main source of income for a while, so I want to get it right.

DISCUSSION (32)

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 16:14

Miata.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 16:15

Pontiac Vibe, Saturn Astra, Mercury Milan, basically anything that you can get the “dead brand discount” on like the kizashi (which would be the best pick IMO)

facw > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 16:28

Definitely look at trunk space (so yeah, wagon/non-fastback hatch). From Uber drivers I’ve talked to, trips to/from the airport are their most profitable routes because the trip is long (though of course you risk getting stuck at the airport at a slow time after dropping someone off), and you don’t want to have to pass up a good trip because you can’t fit a family’s luggage.

Also, especially in a small car, keep in mind that you may have a passenger in the front seat, so the stick might be a bit of a minus, since their arm might be in your way, and you don’t want to be brushing them when shifting.

Monkey B > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 16:29

unless they changed it, Uber is 2005 up, and I imagine they stick at 10 years so maybe 2006 now?

Klaus Schmoll > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 16:30

Isn’t Uber/Lyft basically just an extorsion scheme? I’ve read some articles that stated that at the end of the day, when the car is filled up, insured, maintained, registered and paid for, you end up with next to nothing. As in better flip burgers for fixed minimum wage.

CaptainSlower > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 16:36

Old Crown Vic?

DynamicWeight > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 16:39

I had a 2003 Protege 5 as my first new car. I really liked it. It was given to my sister and she has finally killed it, at 160,000 miles.

3point8isgreat > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 16:40

Unpopular option: Prius. It’s basically being purchased for use as a business, so operating costs like fuel are important. What you lose to boredom, you gain in profits! Or any other high efficiency hybrid that’s of a decent size so you can fit people and stuff.

Ridiculous option: Find a 4-door kei car and laugh as people try to squeeze into it. Also may have the same befit as the unpopular option which cheap fuel costs.

Realistic option: any generic midsizer. The options Themanwithsauce suggested would be good for this. They’d have a little more space than some of the cars you listed, which would help for those airport trips.

Brian, The Life of > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 16:41

Used Fusion, any year but shoot for 5+ years old for the really great deals.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
10/20/2016 at 16:47

Kinja'd!!!

You just need to make an NB2 version of this and add doors. Then you are totally good to go.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Monkey B
10/20/2016 at 16:47

It’s regional. Different cities have different requirements. The minimum is 2001, other areas make it more restrictive.

JEM > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 16:47

Kia Soul.

Fairly fun to drive with a stick, mad cheap (you can pick up a nearly new one for $8K), tons of backseat leg room, and a decent boot. Oh and Hyundai reliability.

I just bought a 2011 5 speed with 18,000 miles for $8300 as my new DD.

Bigjohn428 > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 16:49

2002 - 2005 B5.5 Volkswagen passat. Available 5pd manual, 4 door, cheap, huge trunk, 1.8 turbo 4 great milage.

Rainbow > Klaus Schmoll
10/20/2016 at 17:29

It really depends. But all those things are still going to cost you no matter where you work, anyway.

Rainbow > facw
10/20/2016 at 17:31

That’s actually a good point.

I suppose the absolute best bet would be something with paddle shifters, even if it’s an automatic and those are just a gimmick. But a regular auto is no big deal anyway.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 17:35

Where are you located (generally speaking) ?

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 17:55

Buy a cheap jetta tdi! Dieselgate can help you! All the trunk space, very comfortable, great MPG, and pretty reliable

Rainbow > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/20/2016 at 17:59

Atlanta area.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 18:07

It pains me to say this because I truly loved mine, not the Protege5.

My brother took it to Memphis when he moved there and replaced some component of the AC every year after that. It’s just too much passenger room for the system, unfortunately.

Can I recommend a Vibe or Matrix? They’re add reliable as you can get and available in manuals. The early Vibes had roof racks standard, if that’s of any importance. Standard 110 outlet too, so people needing to charge their phones don’t need a car specific charger.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 18:09

You may make more with uber black in this thing http://m.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=429803936&zip=30301&endYear=2017&pageLayout=list&sortBy=distanceASC&startYear=1981&searchRadius=50&mmt=%5BLEXUS%5BLS430%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D

Rykilla303 > Klaus Schmoll
10/20/2016 at 18:44

...no benefits...

Funktheduck > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 18:49

My 04 Corolla had a huge trunk. Seats fold for larger things (except the xrs version). I would stick with an automatic. Not as fun but some passengers get sick in manuals more easily. I don’t know if you’re region locked but going to buckhead, midtown, or even Athens on weekend nights you’d make quite a bit. I met someone in Athens who did it only on weekends at night and made quite a bit. They quit because dealing with drunks all night became more hassle than the money was worth.

Braniff747SP > CaptainSlower
10/20/2016 at 19:00

Crown Vic is banned from Uber/Lyft.

Anyway, as much as I love ‘em... I’d think something with slightly better gas milage would be a better choice.

wafflesnfalafel > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 19:21

A nice white or beige base model Corolla. Big enough for people and their stuff to fit, reliable, not super expensive.

Rainbow > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/20/2016 at 19:36

I would need commercial insurance for UberBLACK.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 20:04

But how long would you have to drive to make up the cost of the vehicle?

Rainbow > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
10/20/2016 at 20:11

Not terribly long. Depending on the area, it averages around $12/hr or so. Plus tips. So really just a few months, figuring about $3-500 a week.

CaptainSlower > Braniff747SP
10/20/2016 at 20:27

I stand corrected. Lexus ES or GS maybe?

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 20:29

Oh rip. The LS430 is great either way though.

DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time > Rainbow
10/20/2016 at 20:36

Shit, now I’m considering selling my Integra and getting a car that can do Uber. It’d be nice because I could easily make enough money to not work while going to school.

But with a newer car I’ll have to feel the guilt of physically turning off TC :/

Rainbow > DC3 LS, will be perpetually replacing cars until the end of time
10/20/2016 at 20:56

Of course, earning that much would mean working full time, possibly well over 40 hours a week. Still, it’s not too bad at all.

Wagon, semi manual, not brown, turbo because volvo > Rainbow
10/21/2016 at 00:40

Go wagon or go home. Maximum volum for minimum gas expenditure. The kia is kind of a gutless wonder. The manual fit is fun.