Starting out small...

[lloyd nace ll]

Hello everyone,

I have been thinking of starting a small limo service here in the Gainsville Florida area. I have seen there is allot of competition. But I am a hard worker and love to drive and service people. I have found a previously owned Cadilac limo for sale here in the area was used as a funeral car. I is a six door with a seating of 7. There are no tv's etc., thought that i could install some headrest monitors to be used as a dvd/playstation/and put in a cd player with a good sound system. Plus a well built center console in the rear seat to be used as a small cooler, and a workstation desk, also providing internet conections for the business traveler. The car is in good shape, requires some touch ups and has low milage, for the yr. it is which is a 1983 Caddy.

I don't have allot of money to invest, but am willing to work like hell to make a go of it. Please give me any input you can. I thank you all and is a pleasure to meet others here.

Sorry for any mis-spells my fingers move faster than my brain does sometimes, LOL!!!

Lloyd Nace ll

[Digger]

In all honesty, it's the wrong car to start with. I really suggest saving some $$$ and getting a White Lincoln Town Car. I see them on Ebay starting as low as 1500 for a 1991 - 1994 6-pack. The Caddy is just too old to get customers with, I know, I started with a 6-door 1988 Cad. It rented out but I had to keep the rates very low and all I really got was the people that were looking to drink-n-barf in it. The '91 and newer Lincolns have the 4.6 engine, which is a work-horse and get decent mileage, the Caddy fuel mileage will be rotten and the dependability after 120k miles will be shaky. Get the LTC and work on offering the best service possible, that's what will make you a success.

Here is a pic showing the difference between an '88 Cad and a '91 LTC 6-pack.

[Blue Diamond]

I agree with Digger. Lots of groups are getting bigger and looking for newer. Old school is only good if it's an antique.

[James Highlaner]

You also need to think about getting some limo software to help you manage your buisiness. Check out www.limoanywhere.com (http://www.limoanywhere.com) , call them and ask for Scott. I went with Limo Anywhere and I would highly recommend checking them out.




Originally posted by lloyd nace ll:
Hello everyone,

I have been thinking of starting a small limo service here in the Gainsville Florida area. I have seen there is allot of competition. But I am a hard worker and love to drive and service people. I have found a previously owned Cadilac limo for sale here in the area was used as a funeral car. I is a six door with a seating of 7. There are no tv's etc., thought that i could install some headrest monitors to be used as a dvd/playstation/and put in a cd player with a good sound system. Plus a well built center console in the rear seat to be used as a small cooler, and a workstation desk, also providing internet conections for the business traveler. The car is in good shape, requires some touch ups and has low milage, for the yr. it is which is a 1983 Caddy.

I don't have allot of money to invest, but am willing to work like hell to make a go of it. Please give me any input you can. I thank you all and is a pleasure to meet others here.

Sorry for any mis-spells my fingers move faster than my brain does sometimes, LOL!!!

Lloyd Nace ll

[Elegant Limousines of Palm Coast]

I can tell you first hand you dont want to try anything with that car around here.We are in Palm Coast near Daytona.We started very small with 1 older lincoln that we still run today.We service Gainesville and still make $ with the good old tc.Like Digger said you can pick 1 up for short $. But try to find 1 in Florida, the salt from up north rots them fast.

I will tell you that the compation around here is tough.You have to have great service,clean cars and then you need to compare to companies with newer cars.We started with a small loan and a 97 120 2 yrs ago.We now have 3 cars and 2 drivers.So it can be done but you must stand above the rest.Its all about the best customer service every time!! Good Luck!! and welcome to the forum.

[Shari A]

I have worked in the insurance industry for the past six years, specializing in limos & buses. From my experience it is difficult to find insurance for older vehicles. Most insurance companies have underwriting guidelines that have age limitations. That doesn't mean you can't find insurance but it is more difficult, particularly if you are a startup company with no experience. My advice is to find an agent who specializes in limo insurance. They can advise you and walk you through the process.

[A Black Tie Event Limousine]

what would you set a rate and minimum for a 97 110 tc? I hear that this is a work horse and we can't get this out of the gate. btelimo.com
Originally posted by Elegant Limousines of Palm Coast:
I can tell you first hand you dont want to try anything with that car around here.We are in Palm Coast near Daytona.We started very small with 1 older lincoln that we still run today.We service Gainesville and still make $ with the good old tc.Like Digger said you can pick 1 up for short $. But try to find 1 in Florida, the salt from up north rots them fast.

I will tell you that the compation around here is tough.You have to have great service,clean cars and then you need to compare to companies with newer cars.We started with a small loan and a 97 120 2 yrs ago.We now have 3 cars and 2 drivers.So it can be done but you must stand above the rest.Its all about the best customer service every time!! Good Luck!! and welcome to the forum.

[Elegant Limousines of Palm Coast]

For the 97 120 we get $60 hr on weekdays and $65 on weekends with a 5hr min.plus 20% tip and a fuel charge depending on the destination.We bought an 02 120 but still get more requests for the 97.Im wondering if we wasted our $ on the 02 and should have bought 2 more 97s.The 02 makes more than the 97 on 1 run but it dosnt move as much as we would like it to.




Originally posted by A Black Tie Event Limousine:
what would you set a rate and minimum for a 97 110 tc? I hear that this is a work horse and we can't get this out of the gate. btelimo.com <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Elegant Limousines of Palm Coast:
I can tell you first hand you dont want to try anything with that car around here.We are in Palm Coast near Daytona.We started very small with 1 older lincoln that we still run today.We service Gainesville and still make $ with the good old tc.Like Digger said you can pick 1 up for short $. But try to find 1 in Florida, the salt from up north rots them fast.

I will tell you that the compation around here is tough.You have to have great service,clean cars and then you need to compare to companies with newer cars.We started with a small loan and a 97 120 2 yrs ago.We now have 3 cars and 2 drivers.So it can be done but you must stand above the rest.Its all about the best customer service every time!! Good Luck!! and welcome to the forum. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Dean Schuler]

The main thing is to learn how to work the car. If you do that you can build a business. The formula for success is hours of utilization at a good rate.