I need a taxi. Ever used one that you like? Downtown Ral.

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 1:01 am

Gang -

I'm looking for a reliable, on-time taxicab service for this Tuesday evening in downtown Raleigh. I'm after three separate, short trips:

1. From Five Points to N. Blount Street, at 8:30PM or possibly a little before that

2. From Blount St. to Moore Square, at a little past 9:00PM

3. From Moore Square back to Five Points at ~12:00AM

I'm happy to do the driving myself, but I know that parking can be a challenge in all of these areas, and this is kind of a tight schedule. If I take a cab, it's important that the cab be outside waiting for me at departure time. I don't want to stand around on the sidewalk waiting - I want to walk out of the restaurant and get in the cab, tell the driver "Escazu on Blount Street," and get there.

No limousines. And, I'd rather avoid the "stay out front and leave the meter running" deal, based on cost. I'd consider it, but need to hear what it would cost first.

Anyone have a suggestion? Is this even feasible in the RDU area?

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 10:17 am

Not a taxi, but a sedan service that we use at the airport alot. They are great people and always on time. They do have limos, but we use the sedans alot more.

Tell them what you are looking to do and they will give you a quote. Might not hurt to tell them that Landmark Aviation sent you. You *might* get preferred pricing.

http://www.all-pointsnc.com/

BTW - not sure what you have planned, but it sounds like the potential for a fun night.

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 12:23 pm

Thanks Todd! I found that place via teh googles. I'll file it away as a possibility, but I'm kind of hoping for, I dunno, a taxi. Like a Crown Vic. Something that's not...showy. An S-Class Benz is pretty showy.

Todd Breakey wrote:

BTW - not sure what you have planned, but it sounds like the potential for a fun night.

It's just dinner and a movie, I'm simply trying to make it not be lame.

Dinner at Nofo at the Pig first, then dessert at Escazu. Then we'll chill at Tir na Nog or The Pour House for a little bit, and walk over to the IMAX to catch the 10:00 showing of Tron.

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 6:03 pm

If it fits the budget (and only if), I'd go for a bit of showy (NOT A LIMO, but definitely an S-class) and then just apologize if this seems over the top, but it was the only thing you could come up with because none of the taxi services would guarantee anything (or some such small exaggeration). Assuming this is for a date and you don't mind impressing the other party a little.

I mean a cab is a slight step up in convenience from driving and a big step down in cleanliness. Hmm, HUGE step down in cleanliness for YOU. The S-Class might be a small step down as it is!

--Donnie

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 8:55 pm

Donnie Barnes wrote:

If it fits the budget (and only if), I'd go for a bit of showy (NOT A LIMO, but definitely an S-class) and then just apologize if this seems over the top, but it was the only thing you could come up with because none of the taxi services would guarantee anything (or some such small exaggeration). Assuming this is for a date and you don't mind impressing the other party a little.

I mean a cab is a slight step up in convenience from driving and a big step down in cleanliness. Hmm, HUGE step down in cleanliness for YOU. The S-Class might be a small step down as it is!

--Donnie

I'll call the place that Todd suggested tomorrow morning. Can't hurt to get a quote. You're right that a cab will almost inevitably be nasty, and at worst might smell like vomit. Which isn't very impressive. It is indeed for a date, so impressive is certainly welcome. I guess I'm trying to strike a balance somewhere between "jackassing around looking for a parking place" and "trying too hard." Given the weather, I'm likely to take the truck rather than the S2000, which makes parking even more of a pain in the ass. :lol:

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Sun Dec 26, 2010 10:51 pm

Donnie, I'm coming around to the idea of the S-Class. Walking out to an S-Class is a bit more impressive than walking out to a ratty old Crown Vic missing its hubcaps. :lol:

We'll see how much it would cost. I might be able to contain that a little bit by only using the car for the first two legs, and call a regular cab after the movie, like a normal person might.

I'm also going to go down there tomorrow and scout out parking areas. If it looks feasible to do this by S2000 or F250, that's still a possibility. Which reminds me - I should make sure I turn the shocks to full soft.

Matt McGrain · **Posted:** Mon Dec 27, 2010 10:14 am

Karl, if you haven't pinned down your transportation needs yet, I'd recommend Elite Coach as they sound like they are exactly what you're looking for.

One of my good buddies (ask for Richard Sly if you call) is the director and they are top notch offering services to professional athletes, celebrities and the like. If I remember correctly they have all types of transportation and for your needs they'd have some nice Lincolns for chauffeuring locally.

Check out the website and you can even get a quote if needed:

http://www.elitecoach.net/

Gwen Habenicht · **Posted:** Mon Dec 27, 2010 10:47 am

Karl Shultz wrote:

I might be able to contain that a little bit by only using the car for the first two legs, and call a regular cab after the movie, like a normal person might.

Don't go less than 1st class late in the evening. Stick with the S-class for the entire evening. The tail end of the evening can't cost that much more and the "trim back" will be noticeable.

Just advice from a gal who's been wooed. :wink:

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Mon Dec 27, 2010 11:15 am

Gwen Baake wrote:

Don't go less than 1st class late in the evening. Stick with the S-class for the entire evening. The tail end of the evening can't cost that much more and the "trim back" will be noticeable.

Just advice from a gal who's been wooed. :wink:

Fair point. The hired car would have been far, far less expensive than the other much more ridiculous idea I had that didn't work out (scheduling) a couple weeks ago.

Anyway. It turns out that this is actually not an issue anymore. Eagle-eyed Art noticed that Escazu is closed Dec. 25 - Jan 3. That means I can quite easily manage things in the truck. And not have to be in a hurry. I know the F250 isn't really a great date vehicle, but I figure it's better than crashing the S2000 into a lamppost should the roads get slick. If I crash the F250 I can just keep going, and she might not even notice. :lol:

JamesShort · **Posted:** Mon Dec 27, 2010 6:53 pm

All I know is Charlene's Safe Rides allows you to drink in the cab

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