You've pretty much answered your own question - a small fortune. A car hire would be much cheaper than a taxi. There have been several threads on that subject that you could look up. They will meet you at the airport and take you right to your hotel. Essentially the same as a taxi, but much,much cheaper.

I would still use the Gatwick Express 14 GBP one way or 24 RT.

i would agree, you should take the Gatwick Express to London Victoria as it easier/less hassle. Tho there is also a coach (Bus) service from Gatwick to Victoria Coach station which is cheaper (£6.50/6GBP single trip). Depending on when youre looking to travel, but there is a non stop service which takes about 1hr05min. you can book via http://www.nationalexpress.com/

from your useage of the term "downtown", i hope youre not assuming that Gatwick is a suburb of Downtown London (Central London). Because the Airport is approx 30miles away.

Where's down-town?

GATWICK IS NOT IN LONDON is near Crawley, Surrey (a Home County, 30 mins. from London in the South)

LMTAV Crawley/Gatwick are both West Sussex actually (not Surrey) i should know as i work there! (Gatwick)

SORRY! I see Crawley as being near Coulsdon which IS Surrey?!

You may do better considering Hotelink's other service which involves taking The Gatwick Express, a fast, comfortable overland train service to Victoria. From there you are met and transfered by mini-bus to your hotel. Total cost is £20.00 per person.

A car and driver would cost about £65.00 to £70.00.

We reserved Simply Airports (SimplyAirports.co.uk) for our trip in August from the Hilton Paddington to Gatwick for 55 pounds for 6 people and luggage. They were very helpful with questions via email before I actually booked online.

Downtown really isn´t a concept for London, but Central London is a phrase that will make sense to locals - including (but not limited to) the West End.