18/09/2020
For players diving into the bustling world of Los Santos in Grand Theft Auto Online, the humble taxi offers more than just a way to get around; it's a canvas for personalisation and a potential source of income. While the standard taxi might get you from A to B, customising it can transform it into a unique statement piece or even a surprisingly capable vehicle. This guide will walk you through the various ways you can modify your taxi, from aesthetic touches to performance boosts, ensuring your ride is as distinctive as your criminal empire.
The Iconic Benny's Original Motor Works
When it comes to outlandish and comprehensive vehicle customisation in GTA Online, Benny's Original Motor Works is the undisputed king. While not every vehicle can be taken to Benny's, the taxi is one of the select few that receives the full Benny's treatment. This means you can transform a standard, rather unassuming taxi into something far more flamboyant and, in some cases, surprisingly powerful. The key Benny's upgrade for the taxi is the ability to convert it into a custom Lowrider, specifically the Willard Faction Custom. This transformation is a significant undertaking and unlocks a vast array of new customisation options that are simply unavailable on the standard taxi.
What Benny's Offers for Taxis
Taking your taxi to Benny's is a rite of passage for many who wish to stand out. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect:
- Lowrider Conversion: This is the primary, and most impactful, upgrade. It fundamentally changes the vehicle's chassis and appearance, turning it into a classic lowrider.
- Hydraulics: A hallmark of lowriders, you can install a variety of hydraulic systems. This allows your taxi to bounce, hop, and generally defy gravity, making for some entertaining driving and a truly unique visual.
- Body Kits: Benny's offers extensive body modifications, including new bumpers, side skirts, spoilers, and custom hoods. These can drastically alter the silhouette of the taxi, making it look aggressive, sleek, or outright bizarre.
- Paint Jobs: Beyond standard colours, Benny's provides access to a huge palette of metallic, pearlescent, and chrome finishes. You can also opt for intricate custom liveries, including flames, tribal patterns, and even custom animations.
- Interior Upgrades: Don't forget the inside! Benny's allows for custom steering wheels, gear shifters, custom seats, and even dashboard trims, ensuring the interior matches the exterior's flair.
- Wheels and Tyres: A vast selection of rims, tyres, and tyre smoke colours are available to complete the look.
- Engine and Performance: While the focus is often on aesthetics, you can still upgrade the engine, transmission, brakes, and suspension to improve the vehicle's performance.
Performance Upgrades at Los Santos Customs
Even if you don't opt for the full Benny's conversion, you can still enhance the performance of your standard taxi at any Los Santos Customs. While the options might be more limited compared to Benny's, these upgrades can still make a noticeable difference in how your taxi handles and accelerates.
Standard Taxi Performance Mods
Here are the typical performance upgrades available:
- Engine Upgrades: From ECU remapping to full engine swaps, you can significantly boost your taxi's top speed and acceleration.
- Transmission: Upgrading the transmission, especially to a racing transmission, will improve acceleration and gear shifting.
- Brakes: Better brakes are crucial for controlling a faster vehicle.
- Suspension: Lowering the suspension can improve handling and reduce body roll, making cornering more stable.
- Turbocharger: Adding a turbo will give your taxi a significant boost in acceleration.
- Horn: While not strictly performance, you can choose from a variety of custom horns, including the classic taxi horn!
Custom Liveries and Aesthetics
Beyond the mechanical and structural changes, the visual appeal of your taxi can be dramatically enhanced through custom liveries. These are paint schemes and decals that can be applied to the vehicle.
Special Taxi Liveries
When you first acquire a taxi (either through the Taxi Work missions or by stealing one), it will have a generic yellow livery. However, as mentioned, Benny's offers a much wider range. If you're looking for more unique liveries without the lowrider conversion, you might find some limited options at Los Santos Customs, though they are generally less extravagant.
The true beauty of customisation lies in combining these elements. Imagine a classic yellow taxi with a subtle performance upgrade and a unique, custom-designed livery. Or perhaps a fully converted Benny's lowrider taxi with extravagant hydraulics and a dazzling paint job. The possibilities are vast, allowing you to express your style within the game.
The Taxi Business and Customisation
While customising your taxi might seem purely cosmetic, it can also tie into the in-game taxi business. If you own the Downtown Cab Co. business, you can use your custom taxi for fares. While passengers won't necessarily care about your hydraulics, a well-maintained and visually appealing taxi might just add a touch of flair to your otherwise mundane taxi-driving duties. Some players even enjoy role-playing as a high-end taxi service with their custom vehicles.
Comparison: Standard Taxi vs. Benny's Custom Taxi
To help illustrate the difference, let's consider a simple comparison:
| Feature | Standard Taxi | Benny's Custom Taxi (Willard Faction Custom) |
|---|---|---|
| Base Vehicle | Declasse Taxi | Willard Faction (converted) |
| Visual Customisation | Limited (Paint, basic mods) | Extensive (Body kits, hydraulics, unique liveries, interior) |
| Performance Potential | Moderate (LSC upgrades) | High (LSC upgrades + potential lowrider handling characteristics) |
| Cost of Conversion | N/A | Significant (Purchase of Faction + Benny's conversion cost) |
| Uniqueness | Common | Highly Unique |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I get a taxi in GTA Online?
A: You can purchase the Downtown Cab Co. business, which comes with a taxi. Alternatively, you can steal any taxi on the street, but you won't be able to store it in your garage or modify it extensively unless you take it to Benny's.
Q: Can I take any taxi to Benny's Original Motor Works?
A: Yes, any Declasse Taxi can be taken to Benny's Original Motor Works for the full lowrider conversion into a Willard Faction Custom.
Q: What is the cheapest way to get a custom taxi?
A: The cheapest way to get a *modified* taxi is to steal one and take it to Los Santos Customs for basic performance and aesthetic upgrades. However, the most comprehensive customisation requires the Benny's conversion, which is a significant investment.
Q: Are custom taxis faster than regular cars?
A: With the right performance upgrades from Los Santos Customs, a custom taxi can be surprisingly quick. The lowrider conversion itself doesn't inherently make it faster, but the available upgrades allow for significant performance tuning.
Q: Can I use my custom taxi for Taxi Work?
A: Yes, if you own the Downtown Cab Co. business, you can use your custom taxi to complete fare missions.
In conclusion, the taxi in GTA Online is far more than just a means of transportation. It's a versatile platform for creativity and expression, especially when you unlock the full potential offered by Benny's Original Motor Works. Whether you aim for subtle enhancements or a complete lowrider transformation, customising your taxi is a fantastic way to add a personal touch to your GTA Online experience.
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