If it was just down to the cheapest surely all taxis would be Korean in origin.

I see quite a few Kia Sedonas being used as taxis.

Rob.

If it was just down to the cheapest surely all taxis would be Korean in origin.

The Koreans prob are not as reliable which is a factor as well, and do they do a decent economical diesel like the Skoda 1.9? For a Taxis you want a car that has enough room (both for passengers and luggage (7 seater MPV taxis suffer for the later)), lowish purchase price, good fuel economy (because of mileage), mechanically reliable and cheapish to service etc.

The Octavia diesel is the dream combination for this, especially the 1.9SDi. I am surprised this engine has been dropped considering Taxi drivers must be a significant percentage of Octavia buyers. Most taxis operate in an urban environment were the low performance of the SDi prob matters little, but the low purchase price would be significant to the taxi man.

The Koreans prob are not as reliable which is a factor as well' date=' and do they do a decent economical diesel like the Skoda 1.9? For a Taxis you want a car that has enough room (both for passengers and luggage (7 seater MPV taxis suffer for the later)), lowish purchase price, good fuel economy (because of mileage), mechanically reliable and cheapish to service etc.

The Octavia diesel is the dream combination for this, especially the 1.9SDi. I am surprised this engine has been dropped considering Taxi drivers must be a significant percentage of Octavia buyers. Most taxis operate in an urban environment were the low performance of the SDi prob matters little, but the low purchase price would be significant to the taxi man.[/quote']

You say enough room for passengers and luggage, how many fares have 4/5 suitcases with them every time. and isnt the Octy based on the Golf floor pan with its Golf based limited rear passenger room?.

Having had an Octy for 4 1/2 years, I wouldnt have another unless they stretched the wheel base allowing greater rear leg room. Even with just 2 young kids it was too small, and as for boot space, most if the time it ran nigh on empty and only usually had shopping in...much like my Superb boot does.

The taxi drivers buy for every day useage, not once in a while load lugging.

If you also think the taxi trade doesnt get a good price on a new Superb, just ask them or their dealer, you would be suprised at the price they get them for.

Your kids must have very long legs. It is tight in Octy 1 for large adults, but my 5 foot 6 wife fits in there with out any problems. There are so many Octys about as Taxis, I am sure they manage to get the passengers in. The New Octy might be the Superb killer. It is longer than the old Octy and is fully a family sized car, is mechanically more modern and dynamically better than the Superb yet still is cheaper. I still like the Superb because I really do like big cars, the bigger the better, but with already a small sales profile the Octy 2 can not be good news for the Superb.

Also I assume that if Taxi drivers can get a good deal on a Superb the same is also true of the Octy, keeping the price difference intact.

superbs dont wear to good with mileage,

cv boots fail at 50k, clutch slipping between 50-60k, coolant pipe retaining bracket

on cyl head will crack with engine vibration.

i have seen this on 3 superbs to date, (all taxis)

But arent they mechanically the same as the Passat?

spoke to a skoda/audi main dealer mechanic on saturday and he said he gets loads of superbs in, 99% of them taxis and they never need any work, just servicing so my dads went ahead and picks up his car on monday the 17th of this month. will let you lot know how it gets on. cheers for all the comments. oh and thats what he said it was just a bigger passat and they dont go wrong either.

make sure its serviced on time, and he should'nt have any major probs,

if his mech is well used to passats he will know what to look for,

they are used as limosines in japan and the chassis is 10 inches longer than a

passat. :P

make sure its serviced on time' date=' and he should'nt have any major probs,

if his mech is well used to passats he will know what to look for,

they are used as limosines in japan and the chassis is 10 inches longer than a

passat. :P[/quote']

Dont you mean 10 cm?

dads being dicked around by the garage and so wont collect it till later in january now :( will let you lot know how he gets on.

after the garage ordering the wrong car then trying to fob him off with a different one its finally sorted out and he collects his 130 comfort on monday, oh and the dealer threw in the 17inch alloy upgrade free of charge so im over the moon. baaheed do they affect the ride comfort much and what kinda mileage have you got out of the 225 45 17 tyres??

cheers, steven.

i can report the ride comfort is 'superb' (sorry) and hes been getting loads of compliments so hes a happy man with it, its loosening up nicely now and feeling alot faster. will get pics up as soon as i can.

Sorry p1td I've been rather busy of late and missed your post regarding the tyre life. I got Michelin Pilot Primacys fitted on my 17" alloys as standard and was well chuffed. The fronts lasted 18,500 miles and cost

Talking Taxi's and Octy / Superb.

There are LOTS of Skoda Taxi's in SE Kent, Mainly Octy SDi a few TDi, now there are a dwindling numbers of SDi's and replacements are Superbs, since the release of Octy II :confused:

However, Just heard of a 51 plate Octy TDi with 230k miles on the clock , just had a new gear box, taxi driver advised that the clutch was on its way out , :eek: Wot quality

Steve

hi i drive a o4 superb 100 pd there is 96000 miles and is running like the day i took delivery of it only been back to dealer for service and a cv joint that got done under warenty

I bought a brand new Superb 100tdi a couple of years ago for

right willie my ol son....

i am a p/h taxi driver(owner/operator).

i have bought a new superb elegance last sept and can honstly say that ALL my punters prefer my superb to the octys in my town ...why ?

SPACE ....EXECUTIVE LEVELS OF COMFORT / TRIM......

as someone else said.....

very rare to get 4/5 suit cases...but every day you will get 3/4 passengers with shopping in your cab.....AND THEYSTILL COMPLIMENT ME ON THE SPACE INSIDE....EVEN WITH 4 IN IT !!!!!

with 2 in the back and the arm rest down.....this is executive motoring......try asking people that in an octy....hey mr... does this octy feel like an executive car in the back er... NO!.

so there you have it...the public know best.

and as for the price....well .

i got my 55 plate superb elegance with ALL THE TOYS you could think of for........

I think William has ceased to be in the eyes of Briskoda

I used to be a P/H driver, and before I bought my car, when I was looking at Octy's and Superb's, (couldn't decide initially), it struck me that if I had an Octy, no-one could have sat behind me, as I'm 6' 5"!!!, "Car 6, can you pick 4 people up from the Red Lion?", "Sorry control, no can do 'cos I bought an Octy!" Can't imagine I'd have made much money, either that or I'd have spent my life with my chair shoved forward, my knees round my ears, and probably still be visiting a chiropracter for follow up sessions to this day!

Although I don't 'taxi' anymore, I still bought the Superb because sometimes people do need to get in the back behind me, jesus, I could even sit behind me in the Superb!

Don't get me wrong, I think the Octy2 is a great car, truly great in fact in VRs spec, but when your as tall as me, it's not the most practical solution.

i have a superb comfort 1.9 d as a taxi.

done 11k upto now.

no problems yet.

my mate as one as a taxi which he as done

120k with little trouble.

you can get really good discounts using these for

buisness.mine was less than

In Wales I went in a 54 plate Superb which was just used in town with 145k on the clock - with only cv boots being changed in its life.

The Octavia SDI I went in while I was there had a penchant for gearboxs - averaging one every 60k (it had done well over 300k on an x plate though).

I drive a superp as a taxi and have coverd 50,000 miles tyres last about 8,000 rear last about 20,000 in that time it as been a good car 1 new alternater and a new exgaust but apart from that nothing else. I would not buy another, when i change i am going back to an octy as the boot ENTRANCE is bigger and i often turn customers away because i can not get their zimmer frames in or three large suitcases and i am stuffed. when i had an octy i never had a situation where i had to turn anyone away. plus octavias are cheaper to run and you dont get paid anymore because you have a more expensive car.

8k from the fronts? what you doing U turning all day, and 20k from the rear's? I hope this isn't the case for all Superbs, I'm used to getting between 12-25k from the front depending on tyre quality and 40-60k from rears on my previous other marque cars

My last Vectra had the original rear Bridgestone Turanzas on it when it got written, and that was 41k and still only half to two thirds worn at the time.

Boot is an issue, I've not turned a fare down yet cos of it, but I can see it happening sometime soon.

Economy wise I'm quite happy with it, it's a 130 auto and it returns 28-30 mpg over the week from full to empty.

Comfort wise, it's ideal to be in for 8 hrs a day, plenty of space and good positioning.

What was up with your exhaust Matt?

it broke away from the turbo and could not be welded back cost