is it a good idea to lease a medallion and buy your own car.......cause i need a taxi without a shield (with camera).

it would be good yes and camera would be good for your protection but don't forget sheild still.

If I were you, I won' t be leasing cab or buying new one either cos cab bussiness sucks.
I work at target and I mak 10$ hourly with lots of benefits and just 8 hrs of work. no stress, no mistreatments, no tickets, no out of pocket lease or gas cost, and no beatings by cab riders, I say this cos i see cabbies getting beaten by riders almost daily.

How are you qualified to give adivce if you're not a cab driver? My grandmother works at Target too.

Cos I drove cab from 1998 till 2008 october.

cab bussiness is too slow with too many cabs and very less pay.