[rayiner]

I take cabs all the time (in Manhattan). I can't remember the last time I've been in one that's "filthy" or where the driver didn't take cards. All are pretty recent model cars with those screens in the back.

Maybe its different in the boroughs?

[jasonbarone]

Yea odd, I blame it on my inexperience with the city. I lived in East Village and Lower East Side and had all of the scenarios I mention. In fact, on a rainy night once I had the "I don't know how to get there" happen twice in a row. On the first vehicle I got out of the car and hailed another, then I responded to the next driver that I would tell him where to go with my GPS.

I got the broken credit card at least twice, both in a yellow cab and green cab coming into Manhattan. I had cash on me and didn't complain until I later found out they're not supposed to do that.

I'm surprised you haven't gotten dirty cabs. I'm certainly not the type that has to be in some spotless car, but I honestly can't remember seeing a clean cab back in NY. The days following a rain storm are the absolute worse too as the floors and seat backs often covered in mud. I think the worst are broken A/C or window-down cabs in 90 degree summer. Those things smell horrible.

Again, I'm not picky by any means but using Uber was better in almost every way for me in NY and I stopped using cabs immediately.

[garethsprice]

Agree on the cleanliness - most cabs are fine. However, try getting a yellow cab from Manhattan to Brooklyn after 9PM, especially in a popular/busy area.

Anecdotally I'd estimate there's a 1 in 3 chance of the driver either driving off/refusing the route, having a "broken meter/card machine", but will take (a large amount of) cash or (if you appear to be from out of town) taking a ridiculously long route.

[hx87]

I hate those screens--so loud and so difficult (or impossible) to mute or turn off. If I want infotainment, I have a cell phone in my pocket.