Ex-Taxi good buy or???

chenka · 16-08-2006, 08:15 PM

hi all, looking to upgrade and can get hold of Au ex taxi wagon on gas with about 550,000 k's on her and 12 months reg for $4000.....any thoughts welcome

Rob · 16-08-2006, 08:36 PM

Way overpriced! My uncle runs a fleet of cabs, he always tells me if I need a runabout, he'll get me a VT/AU for like 2 grand. Dont pay more than 3 for an ex taxi.

Good luck mate.

chenka · 16-08-2006, 08:40 PM

thanks for that...but I wouldn't know where to start looking in NSW and I have the money now or can chuck lpg on me current ride(vn wagon) which is oldy but goody and get the rebate....mmmm

RG · 16-08-2006, 08:42 PM

For that kind of money you would be able to get an EL with about half as many kays and in good nick.

chenka · 16-08-2006, 08:45 PM

been looking on Ebay etc , all online car sites for weeks...no luck and around my way, they'd be asking $5000/+

TURBOTAXI · 16-08-2006, 08:46 PM

I paid $3900 two years ago for an ex taxi AU. No reg, but a Blue slip. I was happy with the deal.

I dont think $4000 is silly money if it is a tidy car, and mechanically good. I went for a ride is a S3 AU taxi the other day in Sydney and it was immaculate.
An engine is about $700, a trans as little as $200 what is there to risk?

chenka · 16-08-2006, 08:50 PM

yeah , I've read a few posts in this Forum and it seems like Au's in general are a good vehicle so if I can get it , I will. Had an Ea wagon till got the Vn an loved the "big car" ride. Any special mods needed, ie, is suspension etc good?

INJECTED_250 · 16-08-2006, 08:53 PM

Its not just the engine and trans that cause u greif... its the stuffed window channels, the broken trims, the dodgy door gaps, the worn suspension pars, the leaking heater core. THe broken heater flaps. THe cracked door hinges. , The boody creaks... the rust (lots of repairs to pannels) especially inner sills, THe hole in the roof. The worn out seats, the worn key barrels the broken door actuators.... U can go on forever...

You are better to go buy a GOOD low k ED/EF for that kinda money... TAxies are just stuffed when there finished

chenka · 16-08-2006, 08:59 PM

well I'm still looking but hafta make up my mind fairly soon because of the sudden waiting list to get lpg installed...been looking at all makes/models after about 92

chenka · 16-08-2006, 09:13 PM

any more opinions welcome!

private9 · 16-08-2006, 09:27 PM

My suggestion would be is that if you want a Ford, you WILL easily find a clean EL with under 200,000 kays for that money or less, or if you're patient, you'll find an AU series 1 at the auctions for less than 4k.

Then, go get the LPG rebate on top of that.

chenka · 16-08-2006, 09:34 PM

don't really care if its a Ford or not...just found this Au tonight and it seems like lpg installation has aquired a sudden price rise as well as a looonnnggg wait list....what is a good price for an Au wagon and why are taxis so bad?...all the kays?

TURBOTAXI · 16-08-2006, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by INJECTED_250

Its not just the engine and trans that cause u greif... its the stuffed window channels, the broken trims, the dodgy door gaps, the worn suspension pars, the leaking heater core. THe broken heater flaps. THe cracked door hinges. , The boody creaks... the rust (lots of repairs to pannels) especially inner sills, THe hole in the roof. The worn out seats, the worn key barrels the broken door actuators.... U can go on forever...

You are better to go buy a GOOD low k ED/EF for that kinda money... TAxies are just stuffed when there finished

This is probably all true, but I dont forget its a cheap car.

TUF514 · 16-08-2006, 09:59 PM

yes the kilometres are massive.

even if it has been maticulously maintained, 550000 is huge. your gunna need a new engine soon i would imagine.

4 grand i reckon is a little steep......

Baboon_AU · 16-08-2006, 10:28 PM

you wouldn't need a new engine after 550 000.. who told you that?? they will last double that mate. especially a taxi on gas

bodes-sh · 16-08-2006, 10:30 PM

from what ive heard and read, if it's been well looked after 550000 km is only just (well maybe a bit more) run in for an au engine. if looked after properly they can last 1mil + km...depends on the maintenance which is generally pretty good with taxis as they have to be on the road and reliable all the time

private9 · 16-08-2006, 10:49 PM

I was last at the auctions a year ago, and back then AU1's with 200ish kays in decent nick were going for 3500-4000ish. If you want a bargain, I'd be going that way.

XR6-VCT-2000 · 16-08-2006, 11:48 PM

That aint a bad price , although there's alot of k's on the clock. Imo - maybe - just a sugestion - with the government now offering $2000 towards a gas installation , if u really want gas , then maybe see if u can get a non taxi au cheap with low k's and have it converted to gas .

Just my 2 cents , allthough if the taxi u are looking at is in vgc ( interior/ trim / seals etc etc ) then it doesnt sonund too bad , 500,000 + is alot of k's , but it would prolly still have plenty more in it yet / if its been run on gas all its life then it might just need the carbon buildup/rubbish cleaned off the top of the pistons and around the valve seals/seats - to give it a bit of life again / if its a bit sluggish as is .

LUXO_8 · 16-08-2006, 11:53 PM

there is no way i'd be paying 4k for it...... if our 93 hilux is anything to go by it'd be well and truly stuffed........ the hilux has 632,000 on it...original motor and box.... and everything is stuffed, engine, transmission, suspension, latches, locks etc.....

if i were you, i'd offer them 2500 or 3k max or walk away from it....thats my opinion anyway

XR6-VCT-2000 · 17-08-2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MADNC_8

there is no way i'd be paying 4k for it...... if our 93 hilux is anything to go by it'd be well and truly stuffed........ the hilux has 632,000 on it...original motor and box.... and everything is stuffed, engine, transmission, suspension, latches, locks etc.....

if i were you, i'd offer them 2500 or 3k max or walk away from it....thats my opinion anyway

lol , im suprised u got that many k's out of a toyota before it was stuffed ..

There is a few Au taxi's out there that have gone over the 1,000,000 k mark ! , they au I6 is a pretty reliable motor ... i dont wanna get in no arguments anyways ..lol , cheers ;) .

LUXO_8 · 17-08-2006, 12:04 AM

the thing with the hilux is its been this stuffed since 300,000 lol...... ive personally put about 400,000 on it in 6 years lol...

whats interesting though is the ute isnt running constantly (wherever i go i turn it off, start it to go again)its just a delivery ute :P...... unlike a taxi which doesnt have the start stop wear that a normal car has... as they are left running 90% of the time.....

thats why taxis can get the kms out of them that they do

TwistedEL · 17-08-2006, 12:09 AM

Most AU taxi's i've ridden in have absolutely stuffed transmissions

XR6-VCT-2000 · 17-08-2006, 12:14 AM

i'll end my 2 cents saying the following ! ..lol /

If you are really considering buying it then at least do yourself a favour and pay that few extra $ and get it fully inspected before you buy it , it could be a good buy , and it could be the dud of a life time , choose carefully and gl ;) , cheers .

clontarf_x · 17-08-2006, 03:15 AM

AU Taxi - A not-very-educated guide to your next purchase!

Pro
- Engine reliability
- Generally good interior
- Probably full Service logs
- Cheap

Con
- Rooted transmission (wouldnt buy one that hasnt been reconned/replaced recently)
- Rooted suspension
- Rooted brakes
- People keep waving you down

If you want a car that mechanically is not very hard to look after an AU is perfect (In fact, anything EL onwards are, they all suffer the transmission/suspension problems though)

I'd go the Ex-Taxi/Cheap AU route. The VN is a workhorse but there is nothing quite like new technology!

Rob · 17-08-2006, 08:40 AM

The auto is likely to be the best chance for failure, as the motors are incredibly strong. My uncle has an EF runabout, now has 854,000 km... starts every time. Rebuilt tranny at 560,000.

Ringo · 17-08-2006, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by INJECTED_250

Its not just the engine and trans that cause u greif... its the stuffed window channels, the broken trims, the dodgy door gaps, the worn suspension pars, the leaking heater core. THe broken heater flaps. THe cracked door hinges. , The boody creaks... the rust (lots of repairs to pannels) especially inner sills, THe hole in the roof. The worn out seats, the worn key barrels the broken door actuators.... U can go on forever...

You are better to go buy a GOOD low k ED/EF for that kinda money... TAxies are just stuffed when there finished

forgot to mention A/C repairs...they are never cheap.

For that kind of money there has to be other vehicles which are not such a mechanical liability.

Also think of resale...how will you ever sell a second hand ex taxi? You will have a lot mor chance of selling a third hand private owned Falcon.

The used car market is in free fall at the moment...you'll find your bargan somewhere :evil_laug

chenka · 17-08-2006, 11:19 AM

unfortunately I live out in the Boonies(Broken Hill) and cannot get to auctions etc and would have to find what i want b4 I actually get there....major pain.I am in the NRMA so I guess I could arrange inspection and if i could bring the price down, maybe look at reco' ing the trans b4 I have problems?
BTW thanks for all input

jonbays · 17-08-2006, 11:34 AM

Its worth $2,000 thats all. 4k is a joke. go to the auctions see what ex taxis AU's get now

Mr Hardware · 17-08-2006, 12:04 PM

So many misguided people.

Mr Chenka, you have left out many vital pieces of information.

I own a 06/00 AUII Ex-Cab. Factory Ticford Gas, Vialle Converter.
Never had a hit
Brand New Regal Red paintjob (back to its original colour)
Brand new (reco) Automatic
Brand New suspension all round
16" Fairmont Wheels
Starts first time every time
Drives like brand new
Can't tell it was an ex cab
594,000klms
Absolutely Beautiful.
$4500 with full proper roadworthy and rego.

If it was still yellow, had a ****ed auto, dinged, crap suspension and just generally broken all round, I wouldn't pay $2000 for it no matter what.

The I6 on gas is good for about 1,150,000klms. Sometimes 1,200,000 if you are lucky.

A crap ex cab is the worst buy you'll ever make.
A good ex cab is the best buy you'll ever make.

I used to work as a mechanic's hand for a Yellow Cab yard. I handpicked this car as i knew it was the best ex-cab i'd ever seen.

I let about 15 ex-cabs go before i got to this one. This one is something else.

Is an ex cab for $4000 a good deal?
No-one can say yes or no without more details.

chenka · 17-08-2006, 06:08 PM

thats MS Chenka ty....I have no other details except that its white and has 12 months rego...have emailed the seller so will have to wait