The Reason Behind The Renault Logan

"Vicente Esteve" (vicente-esteve)
10/13/2016 at 20:03 • Filed to: None

You may have seen !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! post and though why the hell I bought a base model Rumanian car rebadged as a French one. This car is my new tool to earn some money, without even touching it. All of this thanks to Uber.

Due to cheap labor in Mexico (I love this country) I did the math and found out that having chauffeur to drive my Uber would provide pretty good earnings. We agree’d that I would take a portion of the earnings per week whilst he would get the rest. This was no easy task as I had to do countless paperwork to register myself as an adult with “income” to the government as well as the endless documents that Uber needed to make sure I wasn’t a lunatic. After months of asking for my parents to send me paperwork by mail and visiting every governmental building in the city I was ready for the interesting bit, the car.

I dug out some of my life savings and went ahead to put a deposit on what is essentially the least expensive vehicle to use as an Uber (Including the very expensive insurance, registration as well as the safety equipment every car is required to have). This car turned out to be the Renault Logan. My choices were the Volkswagen Vento (Polo Sedan), Hyundai i10 Sedan or Nissan Versa. I’m paying the longest term available so I could start with low payments, but my plan is to pay it off as soon as possible with 1 big yearly payment. Then I will probably buy 1 or two more cars this way and start making real money to save up for any projects right after I graduate.

So about the Logan; It is a base model with the added security pack that brings ABS and 2 airbags. I picked it up in white because A)Close to zero inventory in Mexican dealerships and B)White looks clean most of the time, and if it is crashed it won’t be hard to repair. I picked it up a nice Thursday afternoon and went on my marry way to fill it up with gas and meet with the chauffeur that I had interviewed and hired the day before.

From last Thursday to this one it has been absolutely great. The Uber Partners website tells me every minuscule detail of the trips and the earnings, all whilst I attend college. I can’t explain how great this has felt, it was a lot of work but there were no bumps along the way. And seeing earnings at the end of each day is a nice bonus too.

DISCUSSION (21)

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Vicente Esteve
10/13/2016 at 20:11

So you bought a cheap car for someone else to drive for Uber while you make the money? I feel like that should be illegal in some way.

Sam > Vicente Esteve
10/13/2016 at 20:12

I got ano Uber from a guy that was a part of one of these companies (he was the owner, actually). He gave out business cards, which would allow you to contact them in advance to be nearby, so you’d be guaranteed to get one of them as your driver.

For Sweden > Vicente Esteve
10/13/2016 at 20:18

I don’t know enough about Mexican labor law to intellegently comment on this.

I do have an unintelligent question; what’s the insurance situation here?

Vicente Esteve > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/13/2016 at 20:18

I didn’t explain myself correctly. The Chauffeur receives the earnings that he made, and I take an established portion from those earnings. As if I was renting him the car, I’ll edit that.

Vicente Esteve > Sam
10/13/2016 at 20:22

I’ve seen that recently too, it is branching out to more areas.

Vicente Esteve > For Sweden
10/13/2016 at 20:25

Since the car will be used as “Public Transport” it has to be registered as such so insurance companies expect it to be treated like an abused mule. Also insurance has to cover every occupant and every car involved in the accident.

For Sweden > Vicente Esteve
10/13/2016 at 20:33

Do you pay this insurance, or the driver?

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Vicente Esteve
10/13/2016 at 20:55

Still sounds sketch to me. I am not a lawyer though.

BJ > Vicente Esteve
10/13/2016 at 20:56

So very interesting!

How does this work with Uber, legally? Are you the registered driver, or is it the chauffeur?

Vicente Esteve > For Sweden
10/13/2016 at 21:00

I do.

Vicente Esteve > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/13/2016 at 21:07

It’s alright, a lot of people have done it. I’m safe.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Vicente Esteve
10/13/2016 at 21:10

I trust that you did your homework and are in the good.

Vicente Esteve > BJ
10/13/2016 at 21:14

Uber realizes that a lot of people are doing the same. They even explain it on their website; The agreement that you and the chauffeur have is completely separate from Uber. I chose to use that method because this encourages the chauffeur to work more for his own benefit and to make sure that I have a continuous earning.

Vicente Esteve > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
10/13/2016 at 21:17

Trust me, I did. I talked with as much people as I could, including owners of Ubers and Uber drivers as well.

jkm7680 > Vicente Esteve
10/13/2016 at 21:41

That’s a awesome idea!

Good luck with it!

Only thing I’d be worried about is either the driver going rogue, or the car ending up a puke filled disaster mobile.

Alex Zapata > Vicente Esteve
10/13/2016 at 22:35

Did this, quit it at about 2 months, it’s good business but it made more sense to invest that kind of money on something else.

I wish you luck my friend, do make a contract with your driver so that he is legally responsible in case of abuse, damage and crashing of the car and have him put up some sort of liabilty and a financial backer (aval) to that effect, don’t forget that any and all damage to the car costs you in money, time away from work and in intrinsic value to the car so try to make it so that he is extra mindful of this fact; be insanely cautious of who you hire as a driver and control both mileage and fuel economy to be efficient.

A used Diesel Vento would have been major major key, but do be mindful that fuel economy is the number 1 major killer when it comes to Uber.

Vicente Esteve > Alex Zapata
10/13/2016 at 22:45

Contract has been written and signed. I know this won’t make me rich but so far it has made financial sense.

Vicente Esteve > jkm7680
10/13/2016 at 22:48

Driver is trustworthy, family man that’s worked with Uber before. Puke is a major concern.

Alex Zapata > Vicente Esteve
10/14/2016 at 12:43

No, it does, completely, I did the numbers ad nauseum. Just the ROI (return over investment) was a bit long for my personal taste, but it’s good business.

I wish you all the luck and congratulate you on your entrepreneurial endeavor!

jkm7680 > Vicente Esteve
10/14/2016 at 20:09

I suggest you invest in some all weather floor mats and scotchguard the seats.

Vicente Esteve > jkm7680
10/15/2016 at 10:00

Seems like a good idea. I already told him if he wants to work on weekends at night he has to take at least a towel.