Has anyone used a London Black Cab as a private car? I'm thinking of buying one, but would like to know more about what they're like to own and look after.
What's considered high milage? I've seen some with over 300K on the clock!
Are spares easy to get hold of, and where from?
Is insurance as a private vechile expensive?
CAn you get away with out paying the congestion charge, and using bus lanes?
2006-12-01 20:12:44 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Other - Car Makes
I drive one every day, they're great around town etc. You will be surprised how quickly they get very tatty without a cabbies constant upkeep. Parts are cheap, but it does depend on how many parts you need. 2.7 nissan is by far the best. Million mile engines!! Bedford midi back axles are good for only 150-200k (£500). Gearbox 250k (£600). Steering box for 100k (£250). etc etc
2006-12-02 13:20:55 · answer #1 · answered by Mark H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes lots of former black cabs are run as private vehicles.
Bags of room inside and a great diesel engine means that they will run forever as long as oil and filter changes are done regularly.
Better to change the colour scheme though to avoid people jumping in when they see you.
2006-12-02 04:55:53 · answer #2 · answered by Pit Bull 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of people use ex-taxis as personal vehicles, You should try www.taxi-mart.co.uk to find what you seek, and NO, you still have to pay congestion and no bus lanes as you have to be licenced to do so. PS. try to get one with a Nissan TD27 engine. very reliable.
2006-12-02 04:22:27 · answer #3 · answered by Angel 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ideal if you are a crap driver wot like using bus lanes, prince Phillip and Stephen Fry have them, I rest my case, oh and you can make a few bob picking up fares and go kerb crawling with impunity, have I put you off yet.
2006-12-02 22:49:05 · answer #4 · answered by "Call me Dave" 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Will be a great car if you spend your time in town but not very good for city to city transport as somewhat slow and unrefined and no you should not use bus lanes (wink wink)
2006-12-02 04:39:26 · answer #5 · answered by mike s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know one problem is that eople don't realise it's a private car and will jump in. You should pay congestion charge and not use bus lanes but .............
2006-12-02 04:16:22 · answer #6 · answered by sashs.geo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i own a 1964 london black cab,,i drive it every day,,,its great fun to drive,,,,much better than driving the crap ,boring stuff of today,i bought it 20 years ago,,,and i would never drive anything else,,it has now got,,over 1 million miles to its name,,and still going strong
2006-12-02 04:23:59 · answer #7 · answered by david UK 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Duke of Edinburgh and Stephen Fry have one.
2006-12-02 06:43:44 · answer #8 · answered by smartpulse 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋