Best and Worst Car for Uber Drivers - Daily Drive - Episode 48

[@AT-xj4in]

One of the greatest video on KZbin explaining cars and costs well done !

[@tipyouintheapp]

Oh wow! Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️

[@KyleFetaline]

This is a great video. That switching cost concept you mention is worth remembering. “The best car is usually the one you already have.” Cars are so expensive!

[@tipyouintheapp]

Smart guy to catch on to that. Switching costs are crazy expensive.

[@erynpommer897]

Excellent Video Levi! You gotta great way demonstrating the numbers we live by.

[@tipyouintheapp]

Thank you! Hopefully it helps someone pick a good next car! ❤️

[@ezhelpingu]

“I’m not saying to get a Prius, but you should really get a Prius.”Thanks for info

[@MrEasye2504]

I drive a 2017 Mazda 3. It is affordable gets good gas mileage with the Skyactiv G, and has good black leather interior, and they last. That is my suggestion.

[@tipyouintheapp]

Good car! I loved my Mazda 3.

[@aye_yo_mick]

Been using a 2016 Mazda CX-3 myself. It's been great!

[@gregmadison556]

I might get a Civic next. About 40 mpg highway and you don't have to worry about replacing the battery.

[@tipyouintheapp]

Civics are great cars!

[@denny6281]

I drive a 2020 Civic, 2litre I am getting 33.5 MPG city. I'm doing Uber and DoorDash around 18-22 hours a week. Next vehicle will be a hybrid. I want 50+ MPG.

[@johnmichaeltracy9050]

lexus es 300 hybrid. that is the car, perfect for everything your going to do, repeat calls will happen simply due to the elegance and comfort of the drive, especially in the back seats.

[@tipyouintheapp]

I love Lexus!

[@mrdsn189]

The 2010 through 2013 Toyota Prius are known to have engine problems that were corrected in the year 2014 and beyond. If you want to protect yourself from extra costs I recommend getting a 2014 or newer Prius. The purchase and financing increase may be about the same as the repairs but you could potentially get extra years and service out of the purchase in the positive column.

[@tipyouintheapp]

Good point.

[@GilrienRosa]

The problem with your assessment of that old Prius 200k miles is pushing a new transmission, steering rack, suspension, bushings, the maintenance cost for that could push upwards of 6k with parts and maintenance.

[@tipyouintheapp]

I added $4k for repairs.

[@CenobiteBeldar]

Here's the flip: Once you spend that money, especially on a Toyota, you'll gain that back. You're not driving a high mileage Ford. I know from experience. Now I understand why surgeons don't perform surgeries on older people because it's risky, but Toyota defies that.

[@Xgenerati]

@@CenobiteBeldarI now own a 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid. The power train and the (cvt) transmission runs super strong - still on my first hybrid battery at 230.000 miles on the odometer. The biggest issues I have is with the control arms, struts … they seem to go bad every 3 years. I buy something, replace it, and a related component goes bad. Are you saying that a user Camry or Prius Hybrid would be better at that?

[@stevefantastics6595]

Great video! Very realistic assumptions. I'm here in Metro Boston and I'm averaging $1.70 mile. If I skew towards all city driving I can do 2.00/mile

[@tipyouintheapp]

Thank you! And $1.70 per mile is great!

[@jorowi]

I've seen people doing Uber in 4-door pickup trucks.

[@tipyouintheapp]

There’s a lot in Upstate New York. I think that’s more than acceptable too. We gotta use the cars we have.

[@erfgthygreas1709]

​@@tipyouintheappwhat tires do you get for your prius

[@paulw.6466]

What promotions? I drive in SF and I can’t even remember the last time Uber or Lyft offered a promotion.

[@tipyouintheapp]

Fair point

[@MH-Tesla]

My numbers for the Tesla model 3 standard range came to 0.18. I came up less on tires (0.024 for winter tires and 0.018 for all season.) and 0.06 for electricity (67% home change/33% fast charge). But your numbers are really good especially for comparison.

[@tipyouintheapp]

Thank you for checking. Sometimes I get so into my data I make mistakes. 👍🏻❤️

[@MH-Tesla]

@@tipyouintheapp I didn't think you made mistakes. You have to guess on some things. My numbers have moved around, but now I've done 11 months and 76,000 miles, so that helps me. And I pay cash for cars, so no interest. If I could do it now, I'd probably get a used model 3. Last summer they were not available for less than 36k and new was 38k. Now Hertz dumped like 20,000 on the used market so you can get them for $25000 and still get $4500 tax credit. Oh, and my numbers don't include the tax credit. I ended up getting only $4700. But I didn't factor that into my numbers.

[@shabadime10]

Great information 👍 & respect all the work you put in to break it down for us. P.s, I feel any V6 V8 Is wrong for rideshare..but that's my opinion.

[@tipyouintheapp]

I agree 100%

[@GilrienRosa]

If you do XL, XXL you dont have much choice outside of the 50k Toyota Sienna hybrid or a Maintenance trap Hybrid Pacifica

[@Mr5Stars]

Helo Levi. We have to figure out a template on how to Maximize COMFORT and PREMIER.

[@tipyouintheapp]

Agreed! Send me some trips and I’ll adjust the sheet.

[@nickhummer5775]

Good job doing this. The uneducated drivers need to know their actual cost per mile. And what the hidden costs are.

[@ThisIsTeslaTrippin]

I also own a 2024 Model Y, using it for rideshare. I did the same with our 2019 Model 3 for the last year I owned it. I know the 7-seater Model Y technically qualifies for XL rides, but you can really only fit a couple 12 year olds in that 3rd row. And if you really are picking up 6 people in that 7-seater, there’s no room left if everyone has a piece of luggage. So I didn’t even bother getting the 7 seat option. I’m curious what your experience is with XL rides in the 7 seater Model Y??? Can you actually make it work for a large group??

[@tipyouintheapp]

I’ve only had 6 passengers once, frat boys. I agree, the Tesla Y isn’t ideal for XL as compared to a minivan.

[@ThisIsTeslaTrippin]

@@tipyouintheapp ok, interesting. So have your other XL rides been with only, say, 3-5 rides? That would be certainly doable in the 7 pass Model Y, Or maybe you don’t get many calls for XL rides where you are? I’m in the Albany NY area, did I see that you are in the upstate NY area, as well?? I just discovered your videos and am enjoying them. I like your pace and delivery, keep it up!

[@tipyouintheapp]

Thank you for the kind words! ❤️ I can only do XL with Lyft. Tesla's don't qualify for Uber XL. And I don't do too many Lyft's. My ratio is like 9000 Ubers and 150 Lyfts. 😂

[@andreim7808]

@@tipyouintheappcould you please confirm or provide a source that Tesla Model Y with 3rd row/7 seats does not qualify for XL on Uber platform? I was considering 7 seater, but didn’t know it may not be eligible for XL..

[@Traveler7210]

You are the ultimate "bean" counter 😁 Thank you for all the complete information. 👍✌

[@tipyouintheapp]

It's how I do it! 😂

[@alexanderromero9701]

16:08 53,000 gross fares for the driver and just imagine that Uber probably charged your passengers that year around 105,000 dollars that year😅 fact is that the rideshare are giving on average nowadays 50 percent of the the total fares to drivers.

[@tipyouintheapp]

True. That's about what it was.

[@MediaNocte3000]

I’m rocking a 2012 Scion xB now. Not the best gas mileage but the thing just refuses to die. It’s been a bit bumpy though. My city has terrible roads and a full 4 seasons. Any recommendations for a car in a city with bad roads and bad winters? Two wheel drive is alright. I found tires that’ll cut through snow like butter

[@tipyouintheapp]

I thought my Prius did well in the snow, assuming I put on snow tires.

[@MediaNocte3000]

@@tipyouintheapp Snow tires would’ve helped mine probably. I drove a beat up 2005 Prius that I found for $3,000 maybe 6 years ago. I wasn’t thinking ahead and got some eco tires to maximize my mileage. Didn’t help me when we got a “polar vortex”

[@BCisme111]

I use a Mach E and a fusion hybrid. It's about the same for energy costs for a day of driving, with gas over $3 a gallon. pretty close to your calculations. I get almost no tips in the fusion but tons in the Mach E. having a nicer car and a cleaner car helps a lot. I think you can submit documents for a car that isnt on the list and they may approve it. I have a cybertruck reservation and I could get it this month, but they are offering the foundation and cyberbeast only right now and at $99K starting price I can't make the numbers work. Maybe with a $57K basic rwd drive model they are promising next year. Used to use an expedition, more expensive to drive but I made more money with it. You have to know your market and your cost per mile. I determined that getting almost nothing but X rides during the week made it pointless to drive the expedition during the week. Don't use a Jeep for rideshare they are trash. Hybrid or electric is the only way to go for full time rideshare unless you are in a good market for big SUV rides.

[@ZealoustheEnder]

In my Market Mach-e qualifies for Uber black and premier

[@scottduncan6344]

What about the 2013 cvevy sonic?

[@rimcox8886]

Thanks for the content! Disagree when it comes to tips...your car makes a first impression. You don't see a difference because both of your cars are relatively new. A 10 year old car will probably have some visible wear and tear, and is more likely to have some odd squeaks, etc. Also, the maint. costs for a 10 year old car will be a lot more, as components become worn out (bearings, ball joints, etc.), and there's a higher risk of catastrophic failure (engine, trans, non-repairable frame damage from rust, etc).

[@tipyouintheapp]

Good point.

[@russianbear54]

I wonder if it’s worth getting an older v6 sienna or odyssey for uber. Apparently a minivan can do xxl, xl, x. I live in Los Angeles, so it’s a good market though probably very saturated.

[@tipyouintheapp]

I recommend buying the car that you like.

[@calripplebear1293]

Where I live, if you don't take their shit rides (meaning, poor value rides) you often times are waiting for rides to come in with idle time. When I rented a Hyundai Tucson, I was able to keep busy because when regular rides weren't available, comfort rides were. Perhaps a vehicle that Uber has comfort rides for would be best for me? Or do you think it would be worth the cost difference? I was considering a RAV 4, which gets UberX and comfort rides. My other option would have been a Prius.

[@tipyouintheapp]

I always recommend the cheapest car if you're buying it for rideshare.

[@calripplebear1293]

@@tipyouintheapp there will be a lot of idle time. because when you have a cheaper car, you will often times have to swipe 10 rides before they give you a ride that is even worth doing. Many of these rides they offer in Florida where I live pay anywhere from 10-18 per hour (and I have $7 an hour in expenses). WHen I don't accept several rides in a row, rather than attempt to give me a decent paying ride they start showing me less rides with lesser values. I hate this company. Too many illegals they have working for them or something. Who the hell would take a ride that pays $10 an hour when you have $7 an hour in expenses? That's $3 per hour. It's injustice.

[@danielganciar7193]

Great video!!👏👏👏

[@tipyouintheapp]

Glad you liked it!

[@dragonlee5477]

Hi Levi, thank you for creating such a fantastic video! I’m a new Uber driver in the Boston area and got a 2020 Prius Prime, partly due to the pandemic. After all the incentives and discounts, I ended up paying just $15,000, and it’s fully paid off. I estimate my cost per mile to be under $0.10. Could you possibly share your Excel template so I can better calculate my expenses? I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

[@tipyouintheapp]

I have a lot of those calculators on my Thrive subscription at www.tipyouintheapp.com

[@Aamiruk65]

Thanks for the honest opinion

[@tipyouintheapp]

I try! ❤️

[@Ottobon]

love the way you broke this down

[@tipyouintheapp]

Thank you! Spreadsheets are easy to make but sometimes hard to explain.

[@SamuelDearth]

Do you convert rideshare to private clients?

[@danielganciar7193]

About the financing costs, do you only consider the interest? Why not the full amount financed ?

[@tipyouintheapp]

Great question! 👍🏻❤️ I consider the interest and depreciation separate. Interest happens every month. But the principal payments are accounted for in the depreciation.

[@mmgoodwings3981]

Any rental car is a bad idea, from a guy who rented for 2 years

[@danielganciar7193]

For highter costs yes, for less work/stress, no!

[@tipyouintheapp]

I rented for 2 months and quickly realized how much it cost.

[@tipyouintheapp]

I agree. If you're a full-time driver, done right, renting could be a good option.

[@MH-Tesla]

You don't get to use standard mileage deduction on your taxes when you rent which is huge!

[@Clarkbar79]

​@MH-Tesla but you can deduct your rental payment which is just as huge. 400 a week is a good write off.

[@danielganciar7193]

What tire brand would you recommend?

[@tipyouintheapp]

Tire Rack. I know, that's not your question, but I like the way they rate tires to help shoppers.

[@soliniv1411]

The ones with the most thread for the least money

[@coochiecrook7120]

Does this include insurance?

[@Smiler2724]

What about kia Sportage 2024 is good for uber and lyft

[@tipyouintheapp]

Any car is a good car. Why do you like the Kia? 😀

[@coochiecrook7120]

Cars in my market you can only drive cars that are 15 years old. And if they are 11 to 15 years old the mileage has to be under 150k. Making cars in my market very expensive.

[@bwanikajohn7002]

Is a Subaru Legacy 2013 good?

[@tipyouintheapp]

If it runs and you can keep it clean, then yep!

[@MH-Tesla]

Breaks for your Tesla are over 200,000 miles, not 75000.

[@tipyouintheapp]

Really!? Nice!

[@DrivinginSanAntonio]

SRT8 requires premium fuel ⛽️ the cost is even higher but fun comparison I drive a 2023 Tesla Model 3 and a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

[@tipyouintheapp]

Wow! Didn't eve see that! Premium fuel for rideshare has to be the worst.

[@timeforchange3786]

I drove a 2022 Malibu (rented) for 3 months. It was nice.

[@VinnyKuzz]

Good video!

[@tipyouintheapp]

Thank you! ❤️

[@josipmatic4732]

I would say, you must take into account tips for nicer car, smooth driving expirience. I would rather choose Tesla for driving. Faster to go from red light at Tesla (not drag racing!) I have much cheaper electricity, night tarif 0.06€.

[@tipyouintheapp]

Thanks for sharing!

[@truth6242]

For Uber Eats I'm driving a pristine 2003 Benz E500 .. a V8 engine drinks gas fast.. definitely not an ideal Uber car. LOL Too old for ride share but at least it looks new.

[@timeforchange3786]

I bought a 2007 Volvo for food and grocery delivery. I am in my car 8-13 hours a day and want to be comfortable.

[@russianbear54]

@@truth6242 I know that engine! Sounds great, but mine never stopped leaking oil! It’s just something that they do.

[@BudWaterman]

Great video! Numbers matter.

[@tipyouintheapp]

I agree1 thank you!

[@fourtycents]

All I got is rav4 hybrid

[@tipyouintheapp]

That's a great car!

[@RobertEnriquez-e7u]

My guy think you’re not being generous enough on some of these numbers I’ve been doing this for about eight years off and on the past two years I’ve been doing it full-time. I’m in Houston Texas. I think your little just my opinion.

[@tipyouintheapp]

I don’t understand. Can you be more specific about? Which numbers do you think I could change? ❤️

[@johnoneill1011]

IF you are a 2 car family of necessity, it can make sense (depending on applicable tax law) to use one solely for rideshare or primarily so. Where I live annual income tax deductible depreciation alone is 25%, plus all other costs of ownership times the percentage in km of rideshare use. It does not have to be intensive rideshare. IF you are otherwise in a high income tax bracket and a low mileage driver of that vehicle beyond rideshare, a few hours a day of rideshare availability could make sense. Here, a log book is only required by tax authorities for 3 months once every few years to prove a pattern and is sufficient in the event of a tax audit, provided your usage remains similar. Currently, Uber here offers meaningful discounts for fuel, tyres, EV charging for Gold rated drivers and above, plus halved commission for EVs until June 2025.

[@SKRILLA4DBD]

How in the actual F is that thing a 7 seater? 😂

[@commuterbranchline8132]

Low cost options begin with the Toyota Prius, it’s hard to beat. Tesla Model 3/Y have staggeringly low running costs. Take care and take money Levi!

[@tipyouintheapp]

No doubt. The Prius is an amazing car for rideshare.

[@ShelterDogs]

In the Southern California market you really need to qualify for Comfort. Uber X rarely pays above .80 cents/mile. And those older Priuses don't qualify. It's the completely opposite up north in San Francisco. Uber X does still get good paying offers, sometimes even $2/mile. That's unheard of down this way.

[@vanzarockin]

​@@ShelterDogs We may get offers that pay $2/ mile, but when driving in the city, the average trip is 4 miles and 18 minutes per trip. No matter how you dice it, the pay is low.

[@ShelterDogs]

@@vanzarockin You’re right. It should increase and hopefully there will be new legislation like up in WA. But I will say this, it seems SF drivers can earn just as much as Seattle drivers. Why is that? I have the Solo app and it shows the numbers.

[@shuvohussein4076]

How long have you been driving Uber?

[@tipyouintheapp]

5 years