2000-up, 4-door, ample rear legroom, compact, and FUN? (aka the ideal Lyft/Uber car)

I happened to read this article yesterday. Interesting to see the harsh approach.

Ride share drivers fined

In reply to dyintorace:

Some cities are really putting the hammer down on them, even Madison here in WI is "stinging" drivers with $1300 tickets. I don't know if a different lobbyist got to our County Executive first or something, but here in Milwaukee they seem more interested in allowing Lyft/Uber through a new permitting process than they do in excluding them.

http://urbanmilwaukee.com/2014/04/22/murphys-law-let-them-take-taxis-or-uber-or-lyft/

The new Elantra was mentioned--The Elantra Touring has a very roomy back seat for legroom, and ample storage behing in the hatch...it is bigger than the new Elantra that repaced it...but the 2.0 only gets about 30mpg, vs. high 30s for the newer 1.8.

Also--I am in MKE and I have a 80K 2011 SE/stick that I would sell for 10K.

SVreX wrote: In reply to Fit_Is_Slo (ceasarromero): How do they bill? What are the rates based on? Is there an approximation in $ per mile?

In Atlanta They charge a $1 "safe rides fee" which they keep for background checks, $2.38 base charge $0.19 cents a minute if below 11mph and $1.43 a mile, Minimum charge of $6.70 and a $6 cancellation fee. In high demand times they enact surge pricing which they raise the fares, I was making double last night. After they collect the fares they subract 20% so you end up with 80% deposited in your bank account the next week. Also starting in may they are going to start charging $10 a week for the iphone they issue you to use their system.

In reply to Fit_Is_Slo (ceasarromero):

So, how much work do they send you on average per week?

Have they addressed the insurance issue yet?

SVreX wrote: In reply to Fit_Is_Slo (ceasarromero): So, how much work do they send you on average per week?

I've only been doing it for about 3 hours the nights i'm doing it, but not because of lack of work, thats just all the time i'm willing to do it, (i'm already working 45-55 hours a week at my normal job)

I have done "the responsible thing" and called a cab when going out for the night. Between the hours (hours!) it can take to get a driver to my place, and the the challenge of finding a cabbie actually willing to charge meter rates from downtown, I am glad that competition is showing up.

I would go with a Fit personally. They have a good amount of rear legroom and overall space. These might not be as fun but what about a Focus Wagon or Dodge Caliber? You could probably pickup a stick shift version of either of those for cheap at this point. What about a Mazda 3 hatchback?

I am not sure if the Uber/Lyft rates put you in a position that I would recommend it as a business but that really was not your question. Your question was what car.
In the post above the manual, 4 cyl Focus wagon or Caliber is suggested.
I suggest Saturn Vue 2.2L 4 cyl with manual trans.

Sample: '03 Vue manual w/112k asking $2.3k

92dxman wrote: I would go with a Fit personally. They have a good amount of rear legroom and overall space. These might not be as fun but what about a Focus Wagon or Dodge Caliber? You could probably pickup a stick shift version of either of those for cheap at this point. What about a Mazda 3 hatchback?

Have to agree with the Fit. Lots of room and gas mileage is great.
MY BIG CONCERN ABOUT A PROJECT LIKE THIS IS LIABILITY. Hope you have lots of insurance coverage and a big umbrella policy too!

Really, there's only one choice to show up and pick up your next fare: