If you’re thinking about jumping into the rideshare game, there are a lot of factors to consider, including which ones are the top rideshare services drivers are using. But another very crucial element takes the cake. Sure, we can talk all day about how to plan your strategy or strike up conversations to get better tips, but none of that matters if you don’t have a good, reliable car to get you and your passengers around. And deciding what car to buy—or whether you even need to buy a new car—takes some consideration.
First of all, it’s important to know the car requirements for each rideshare platform. Though it can vary from city to city, to drive for UberX driver in most, you need a four-door, 2002 or newer vehicle. For Lyft, you need a 2005 or newer in most cities.
If you’re planning on driving multiple passengers, however, you’ll want to spring for a bigger car. UberXL and Lyft Plus require a vehicle that can hold up to 6 passengers, so the little four-door sedan won’t cut it.
Then, of course, there’s the luxury side of things, which is more strict. To drive for UberBlack or Lyft Premier, your car has to be a pristine Jaguar, Lexus, BMW or similar. UberBlack takes it a step further by requiring that the car have black leather interior as well.
Most likely, though, you’re not looking to buy a Jaguar or a passenger van, but something basic and dependable. So here are the five cars you should consider.
1. Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is a good bet for an inexpensive, durable car. New ones start around $18,500, and get 30 MPG in the city, 40 on the highway. It’s also a four-cylinder engine, so that means less fuel consumption.
The Corolla is also on the Consumer Reports list of cars that can reach over 200,000 miles, which is important if you’re going to be driving all day every day.
Corolla’s are known to need little maintenance, and when they do it’s relatively inexpensive.
One downside is that the handling and maneuverability aren’t the greatest, but what it lacks in movement it makes up for in reliability.
2. Toyota Prius V
The Prius is the car for good gas mileage, with an added bonus of environmental sustainability, if you’re into that kind of thing. Prius’s boast 51 MPG on the highway and 48 in the city, so you’ll save at the pump and maximize profits for sure. The only downside is the initial price tag; new Prius’ start at around $23,500.
If you’re in for the splurge, though, the Prius will get you far. Consumer Reports also has it in the “over-200,000-miles club,” and some even say it can take you 315,000 miles with proper upkeep. For the basics, maintenance is as affordable (and infrequent) as any other Toyota, but replacing the battery comes with a hefty price tag.
The car is also fairly heavy, so brakes can wear out faster. Additionally, the weight makes for a semi-clunky ride, so your passengers may not be as comfortable as in zippier cars.
3. Chevy Volt
The Volt has a lot going for it. Like the Prius, it is a hybrid electric car, and that makes for fewer and cheaper trips to the gas station, which you’ll need to make up for the sticker price: The 2017 Volt starts at $33,220.
Fully charged, the Volt can go 50 miles on the battery alone and more than 400 with a fully charged battery and a full tank of gas. In gas-only mode, the Volt gets 37 MPG. In combined gas-electric mode, it jumps up to 62 MPG.
The Volt is also speedier and handles better than most hybrids on the road, so you can expect smoother driving and a fatter wallet. And because it is so fuel-efficient, buying the Volt also means receiving an additional tax credit come tax season.
The Volt will also last you a long time. Green Car Report found a 2012 Volt that surpassed 300,000 miles and counting.
Like the Prius, the maintenance cost that could get you is the battery. But so long as that lasts as long as it should, regular maintenance on the Volt will be cheap.
4. Toyota Yaris
If you’re looking for a reliable new car but don’t want to shell out too much cash, the Toyota Yaris may be the right choice. At $15,250, the light, compact Yaris will get you some bang for the buck: It gets 30 MPG in the city and 36 MPG highway.
Fuel-efficient and easy to maintain, the Yaris will also last you awhile: Forbes counts it as one of the cars that will go to 200,000 miles, and others have reported having a Yaris last beyond 250,000.
Some downsides: The Yaris is compact, so tall drivers—and passengers—may have a hard time getting comfortable, and the hatchback style leaves less room in the back for luggage. It also doesn’t handle as smooth as some cars, but it’ll get the job done.
5. Ford Fusion
If you’re looking for a smooth and responsive ride at a decent price, the Ford Fusion may be the car for you. Fusion’s start at $22,600 and are known for their quick response and easy handling, and also have low and affordable maintenance.
The Fusion’s only get 23 MPG in the city and 32 on the highway, however, so for those long days of driving, you might have to make frequent stops for gas. But, a Fusion will last you a long time: Many Fusion owners report pushing their cars beyond 200,000.
Best way to get a car
- Buy. Before splurging on a new car, there are some things you should think about. For one, can you really afford a new car? Most Uber drivers make $14 to $16 an hour, and to get a loan for a new car requires good credit.Additionally, consider your needs outside of work. Do you need a new car anyway? Do the cars that are best for rideshare driving match your personal needs?With all that taken into consideration, buying a car may be the best option for you. And while a bright, shiny new one may sound appealing, that’s not the only option. You can always buy a mildly used car, or even lease one.
- Hertz. If you’re not in a position to buy a car, or just don’t want to own one, there are other options.The car rental service, Hertz, has partnered with Uber and Lyft to provide rideshare rentals at affordable prices. Lyft’s deal starts at $165 for weekly rentals, and after a certain number of rides per week (based on your region), drivers can earn bonuses that cover the rental cost.For Uber, $180 per week will get you a car, but after 75 rides, you can get the car free.
- Hyrecar. Another option is to rent a car from a private person instead of a company. Hyrecar connects rideshare drivers with car owners and allows you to rent them at varying rates. There are no contracts or sign-up fees, and daily rates are as low as $35. Weekly rates float around $200 to $300.Hyrecar is also great if you want to try rideshare driving for a while before committing to buying a car for the job.
