OT Choosing the right car

[andalusian]

Fugly. Reminds me of those Hondas and Toyotas that came out several years ago that had the grey plastic cladding on them.

I know many people think they are ugly. These people are wrong. I love them, and they are fun to drive. I am willing to bet history will look kindly on this car. It sure looks better than 99% of the SUVs out there. This one is Proton Yellow. And while it has cladding - there is nothing Toyota or Honda ever made that looked or drove like that. The early RAV4 and CR-V (cladding) had 4 cylinder and most were 4 doors (early RAV4s were also available in 2 door but there are not a lot of them) - this thing ad 215BHP 6 cylinder with TOD and is a beast off-road way back in the late 90s. Nobody made anything like it at the time, and almost no-one made any SUV that cool looking since.

And I know it's not good for Uber - too old and 2 doors and all kinds of awesome. That's not what Uber is all about.

 

[THE HCP]

I know many people think they are ugly. These people are wrong. I love them, and they are fun to drive. I am willing to bet history will look kindly on this car. It sure looks better than 99% of the SUVs out there. This one is Proton Yellow. And while it has cladding - there is nothing Toyota or Honda ever made that looked or drove like that. The early RAV4 and CR-V (cladding) had 4 cylinder and most were 4 doors (early RAV4s were also available in 2 door but there are not a lot of them) - this thing ad 215BHP 6 cylinder with TOD and is a beast off-road way back in the late 90s. Nobody made anything like it at the time, and almost no-one made any SUV that cool looking since.

And I know it's not good for Uber - too old and 2 doors and all kinds of awesome. That's not what Uber is all about.

Bro! You MUST be crazy! That shit is ugly!

 

[tlongII]

I know many people think they are ugly. These people are wrong. I love them, and they are fun to drive. I am willing to bet history will look kindly on this car. It sure looks better than 99% of the SUVs out there. This one is Proton Yellow. And while it has cladding - there is nothing Toyota or Honda ever made that looked or drove like that. The early RAV4 and CR-V (cladding) had 4 cylinder and most were 4 doors (early RAV4s were also available in 2 door but there are not a lot of them) - this thing ad 215BHP 6 cylinder with TOD and is a beast off-road way back in the late 90s. Nobody made anything like it at the time, and almost no-one made any SUV that cool looking since.

And I know it's not good for Uber - too old and 2 doors and all kinds of awesome. That's not what Uber is all about.

I like it. Not very practical though.

 

[EL PRESIDENTE]

One of my buddies had a vehicross. Never rode in it though. He used to go off roading with my bro with an FJ cruiser

 

[andalusian]

I like it. Not very practical though.

No doubt about that. It is not a practical car.

 

[Further]

If you can't tell what the destination is, what strategy can you employ, other than your starting point for the day? Or is it a matter of repositioning yourself after you drop off a ride? Just curious as a frequent rider.

barfo

There’s a lot in play. Where you start really matters. I do Uber and Lyft but they pay differently and selecting one or the other or both matters as they pay differently and have differing incentives which can be pretty important. Then there are surge pricing, red zones where there is fewer drivers then demand. Those areas are often fleeting but knowing when concerts get put, sporting events, hotel and restaurant zones at specific times, which towns or suburbs are lacking in drivers all can add up to getting surge rides. Most of the time surge might only pay 1.2-2.0 times the normal rate but I’ve given Lyft rides at 6X the regular rate. I often see drivers on a Uber/Lyft forum locally list their hourly around 25-30$ per hour, also knowing when to turn off the app matters. For example at about 1:35am if I’m driving I turn off and head to surge sones. Wait till about 1:50 and then turn on. Often at that hour I might get a 3X ride.

Going to different neighmatters also. If you are on an incentive track trying to reach an amount of rides like 45 rides, then going to a less desirable neighborhood will get you more rides that are shorter. You won’t earn a bunch per ride but you can knock out a lot of rides and make the incentives. Likewise, going to nicer neighborhoods for less frequent longer rides that will tip if you treat them well.

I’ve been averaging $37-40/h the last few months whereas most other drivers post on driving forums that they make substantially less (25-30)

 

[THE HCP]

There’s a lot in play. Where you start really matters. I do Uber and Lyft but they pay differently and selecting one or the other or both matters as they pay differently and have differing incentives which can be pretty important. Then there are surge pricing, red zones where there is fewer drivers then demand. Those areas are often fleeting but knowing when concerts get put, sporting events, hotel and restaurant zones at specific times, which towns or suburbs are lacking in drivers all can add up to getting surge rides. Most of the time surge might only pay 1.2-2.0 times the normal rate but I’ve given Lyft rides at 6X the regular rate. I often see drivers on a Uber/Lyft forum locally list their hourly around 25-30$ per hour, also knowing when to turn off the app matters. For example at about 1:35am if I’m driving I turn off and head to surge sones. Wait till about 1:50 and then turn on. Often at that hour I might get a 3X ride.

Going to different neighmatters also. If you are on an incentive track trying to reach an amount of rides like 45 rides, then going to a less desirable neighborhood will get you more rides that are shorter. You won’t earn a bunch per ride but you can knock out a lot of rides and make the incentives. Likewise, going to nicer neighborhoods for less frequent longer rides that will tip if you treat them well.

I’ve been averaging $37-40/h the last few months whereas most other drivers post on driving forums that they make substantially less (25-30)

Sounds like you got a great system. I switched from uber to Lyft about 18 months ago when they linked up with Delta. I now get SkyMiles when I use lyft.

 

[H.C.]

I know many people think they are ugly. These people are wrong. I love them, and they are fun to drive. I am willing to bet history will look kindly on this car. It sure looks better than 99% of the SUVs out there. This one is Proton Yellow. And while it has cladding - there is nothing Toyota or Honda ever made that looked or drove like that. The early RAV4 and CR-V (cladding) had 4 cylinder and most were 4 doors (early RAV4s were also available in 2 door but there are not a lot of them) - this thing ad 215BHP 6 cylinder with TOD and is a beast off-road way back in the late 90s. Nobody made anything like it at the time, and almost no-one made any SUV that cool looking since.

And I know it's not good for Uber - too old and 2 doors and all kinds of awesome. That's not what Uber is all about.

What is this abomination?

 

[Further]

Sounds like you got a great system. I switched from uber to Lyft about 18 months ago when they linked up with Delta. I now get SkyMiles when I use lyft.

It's good to have both on your phone because if you get out of an even it can save you a bunch to know which one is having higher/lower surge. You might like Lyft for the miles, but if that ride back from the game costs an extra $30 for an inconsequential amount of miles it ain't worth it. But if work pays, then go with miles.

 

[barfo]

There’s a lot in play. Where you start really matters. I do Uber and Lyft but they pay differently and selecting one or the other or both matters as they pay differently and have differing incentives which can be pretty important. Then there are surge pricing, red zones where there is fewer drivers then demand. Those areas are often fleeting but knowing when concerts get put, sporting events, hotel and restaurant zones at specific times, which towns or suburbs are lacking in drivers all can add up to getting surge rides. Most of the time surge might only pay 1.2-2.0 times the normal rate but I’ve given Lyft rides at 6X the regular rate. I often see drivers on a Uber/Lyft forum locally list their hourly around 25-30$ per hour, also knowing when to turn off the app matters. For example at about 1:35am if I’m driving I turn off and head to surge sones. Wait till about 1:50 and then turn on. Often at that hour I might get a 3X ride.

Going to different neighmatters also. If you are on an incentive track trying to reach an amount of rides like 45 rides, then going to a less desirable neighborhood will get you more rides that are shorter. You won’t earn a bunch per ride but you can knock out a lot of rides and make the incentives. Likewise, going to nicer neighborhoods for less frequent longer rides that will tip if you treat them well.

I’ve been averaging $37-40/h the last few months whereas most other drivers post on driving forums that they make substantially less (25-30)

Thanks, that's very interesting!

barfo

 

[CupWizier]

I know many people think they are ugly. These people are wrong. I love them, and they are fun to drive. I am willing to bet history will look kindly on this car. It sure looks better than 99% of the SUVs out there. This one is Proton Yellow. And while it has cladding - there is nothing Toyota or Honda ever made that looked or drove like that. The early RAV4 and CR-V (cladding) had 4 cylinder and most were 4 doors (early RAV4s were also available in 2 door but there are not a lot of them) - this thing ad 215BHP 6 cylinder with TOD and is a beast off-road way back in the late 90s. Nobody made anything like it at the time, and almost no-one made any SUV that cool looking since.

And I know it's not good for Uber - too old and 2 doors and all kinds of awesome. That's not what Uber is all about.

No matter how you look at it and if the majority of people think it's ugly why are they wrong and the minority that like it is right? It's an individual preference and that is one ugly vehicle in my book. If I won that in a contest I would sell it immediately.

 

[andalusian]

Bro! You MUST be crazy! That shit is ugly!

I might be crazy, but I think it is beautiful.

No matter how you look at it and if the majority of people think it's ugly why are they wrong and the minority that like it is right? It's an individual preference and that is one ugly vehicle in my book. If I won that in a contest I would sell it immediately.

The good news is that you already know of one interested party. It would certainly be easy to sell.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I know many people think they are ugly. These people are wrong. I love them, and they are fun to drive. I am willing to bet history will look kindly on this car. It sure looks better than 99% of the SUVs out there. This one is Proton Yellow. And while it has cladding - there is nothing Toyota or Honda ever made that looked or drove like that. The early RAV4 and CR-V (cladding) had 4 cylinder and most were 4 doors (early RAV4s were also available in 2 door but there are not a lot of them) - this thing ad 215BHP 6 cylinder with TOD and is a beast off-road way back in the late 90s. Nobody made anything like it at the time, and almost no-one made any SUV that cool looking since.

And I know it's not good for Uber - too old and 2 doors and all kinds of awesome. That's not what Uber is all about.

That may be the ugliest vehicle I have ever seen in my life. It looks like this:

and this:

had a baby.

BNM

 

[SlyPokerDog]

That may be the ugliest vehicle I have ever seen in my life. It looks like this:

It was and then Breaking Bad happened. Now it's pure gangster!

 

[andalusian]

That may be the ugliest vehicle I have ever seen in my life. It looks like this:

and this:

had a baby.

Damn. You just made it hotter. I am hoping to go look at a black one this weekend. Will post pictures after for your enjoyment.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Damn. You just made it hotter. I am hoping to go look at a black one this weekend. Will post pictures after for your enjoyment.

Who wore it better?

 

[andalusian]

Who wore it better?

Did you just try to prove me wrong by comparing the object of my adoration to an icon?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Who wore it better?

If you get one you need to get vanity plates that say Fava.

 

[andalusian]

If you get one you need to get vanity plates that say Fava.

I am afraid that I am not privy to your hipster Meme culture - you will have to explain this one to me.

 

[Boob-No-More]

I am afraid that I am not privy to your hipster Meme culture - you will have to explain this one to me.

"I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."

Too bad Chianti is 7 letters. I believe vanity plates in Oregon are limited to six letters.

BNM

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I am afraid that I am not privy to your hipster Meme culture - you will have to explain this one to me.

Fava beans and a nice chianti.

 

[andalusian]

Fava beans and a nice chianti.

Thanks (and the same to BNM). I did not remember that quote.

 

[Strenuus]

Sounds like you got a great system. I switched from uber to Lyft about 18 months ago when they linked up with Delta. I now get SkyMiles when I use lyft.

Give me the times you use lyft.


For science.

 

[Lanny]

That may be the ugliest vehicle I have ever seen in my life. It looks like this:

and this:

had a baby.

BNM

Here's the ugliest -

https://file.kbb.com/kbb/vehicleimage/housenew/640x480/2007/2007-mini-cooper-frontside_mncop071.jpg

 

[Chris Craig]

Found a couple options Eric





Or perhaps seat covers

 

[KingSpeed]

So I bought the 2015 Mercedes-Benz E350. Not Diesel. It's great and I can drive UberSelect with it if I want. Phew. That part is done. Thanks for your help. I did want the Avalon. It was my first choice but it was much more expensive. I couldn't get the monthly payment under $700. I have bad credit and that wasn't going to work.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

So I bought the 2015 Mercedes-Benz E350. Not Diesel. It's great and I can drive UberSelect with it if I want. Phew. That part is done. Thanks for your help. I did want the Avalon. It was my first choice but it was much more expensive. I couldn't get the monthly payment under $700. I have bad credit and that wasn't going to work.

Make sure you and your husband bring your passports. One of my favorite fall drives in the Pacific NorthWest is the drive up to Port Angeles and then taking the ferry to Victoria, Canada. Love Victoria. One of the most charming and romantic cities on the west coast.

Make sure you have afternoon tea in the lobby of the Empress Hotel.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

You could have the best of both worlds and buy the 2015 Toyota Highlander I’m trying to sell.

 

[SheedSoNasty]

Damn. Didn’t read that you already bought the Mercedes.

 

[KingSpeed]

Make sure you and your husband bring your passports. One of my favorite fall drives in the Pacific NorthWest is the drive up to Port Angeles and then taking the ferry to Victoria, Canada. Love Victoria. One of the most charming and romantic cities on the west coast.

Make sure you have afternoon tea in the lobby of the Empress Hotel.

Will do