I’ve now had my Vito for 4 months, so here is my feedback on it so far. Please remember that prior to the Vito, I had only owned the Metrocab series 3. I had my Metro for 10 years (11 years of holding my bill - not even a butterboy yet compared to Call Sign’s John Edwardes! So I can only compare the Vito to the Metrocab, although I have driven a TX1 and TX4 when my cab was in overhaul.
   Let me start with the negative points first:
1) The interior lights in the passenger compartment only stay on for 30 seconds - not good for a nightman doing credit rides, as we all know that a lot of work is still done by Dial-a-Cab clients in the back of the cab. However, I have found a way of keeping them on, although it means me having to press the switch every few minutes. Annoying, but I can live with that and I have been assured Mercedes are looking into it.
   2) The intercom is not brilliant, in fact it stops working if you are travelling at speed on the A40 or the M4 for example. Again, Mercedes are looking into it and speaking personally, I love my music so it suits me if the intercom is not too brill cos I’m not much of a talker!
   3) I guess I am probably missing out on maybe one or two street hails a week as there is still a lack of awareness. I also get single pins asking whether I would take just 1 person in such a big vehicle and would it cost extra? But when it’s explained that it is on a meter that is standard for all taxis, then they are happy to jump in. But against that, some customers have told me that they definitely let other cabs go by if they see a Vito coming up behind.
   And yes, I've also been hailed from the other side of the road a few times and it has not been a problem swinging it around. At the end of the day, I am NOT earning any less.
   4) Some female passengers have told me that due to the size of the vehicle and when they are on their own, they find the big space in the passenger compartment uncomfortable and unfriendly. Apparently they feel like they are

helpline and callout.
   3) In the 4 months and 12000
miles of driving, I've had one
problem. That was with the solenoid in the rear wheel steering, which took 30 mins to sort out without any down time. In fact, from speaking to drivers who have now owned the cab for almost a year, the reliability is excellent,
which obviously means you can go to work everyday with no down time. Having said that, please God if I am to break down now, then please make sure the Call Sign Ed is nowhere nearby with his camera! (What are you insinuating!!! Ed).
   4) Apart from the four negatives above, the feedback from passengers has been universally excellent! I am constantly hearing wows when they get in. In fact some passengers can’t believe the price isn’t that different from the TX4 Gold and wonder then, why would a driver buy the TX4? I am sure many would have noticed that requests for the Vito on account rides is on the increase. I’m also sure there would be a lot more private work for a dayman, as a lot of passengers have asked if they can book one for their clients. So apart from losing work to PH, I think that we will win a lot of work back from PH!
   5) The rear wheel steering is just superb, you get a very tight turning circle albeit a bit slower.
 
So there you are, that’s my view on the Vito. One very satisfied customer...

Divyesh Ruparelia (V59)