Poll: nice car or crappy car as work vehicle
 

My business partner doesn't want me to show up at job sites in my recently purchased 2013 Cayenne. He says it makes it look like we are charging too much. I say it makes us look successful, as in, we know what we are doing and we do good work. We do civil/geotechnical engineering for private properties, mostly houses. He'd rather we use his 20-year old GMC pickup POS.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong at all w/ showing up in a '13 Cayenne. As a customer, I wouldn't bat an eye. It's not like you are rolling up in a bright yellow Lambo or something. OTOH, I would eye a piece of junk p/u with suspicion, and think to myself, maybe these guys aren't that good.

I would not be impressed by a vendor driving anything 'expensive'. Something middle of the road would be my preference.

I sort of agree with your partner. A Porsche may be a bit much.. but they won't bat an eye if you show up in a new King Ranch F150 that costs as much or more than a Cayenne. All they see is 'Porsh' and think it is excessive while a Ford pick up is ok even if it costs big money, as they do.

Put that "2013" sticker in the top corner of the windshield like on a car lot so your customers know you were prudent. I agree with Paul T- you don't want to look like you're broke.

If you were a drywall guy, showing up in a Cayenne would be odd.

Since you do "civil/geotechnical engineering" I don't think an old (9 years) cayenne is a problem.

If the vehicle that you showed up in was too beat up, I'd wonder how well you were doing.

If you show up in either and are clean, well-kempt, professional and intelligent, I don't think I'd care.

This is a valid point.

Yea, I don't want any contractor showing up in a POS vehicle. I would wonder if they have been going broke and cutting corners. Certainly I don't expect a new Ferrari or Mercedes S class, but a decent vehicle is expected. Unless you are coming to clean out the sewer line or something, show up in a 2013 SUV is very normal.

While there are valid arguments pro and con, I am with Glen on this: I actually look for neatness over vehicle age or type of vehicle.

Sloppy car, trashy, is almost always an indicator of what is to come...just like Mas wrote.

Leave the AMC Pacer at home.

Nice or crappy is the only choice?

I know, right.

How about older, well preserved specimen, not unlike myself.

Would he care if you rolled up in a new F150 lariat? The sticker on that is about 2x your cayenne.


People that get hung up on the badge drive me nuts. Most cars are expensive these days. If someone has a new one, they are either doing well, or make stupid decisions with 84mi credit. Either way, I wouldn’t worry about it.


Hell, I roll around in a $600 car, who gives an EFF what anyone else thinks. Drive what you like and suits your needs.

Just go to VW and order some Touareg emblems and stick those on.

I think drive up in a Toyota, a newish Toyota. It shows you're a nice sensible boy LOL

The average schmuck has zero clue what vehicles really cost.
I can pull up to a customers in a $100g Super Duty, and they wouldn't bat an eye, oh a pickup truck.
I pull up to that same customer in a bottom of the line Lexus or Beemer, and they think oh, look at that expensive luxury car.

.

True story.

Many years ago (2006ish) when I had my 1980 911 targa, I had to go to a job site meeting.

My plan, as always, was to swap out my 911 for a Toyota pickup at the shop then head out, that day I ran out of time and had to show up in the 911.

I come rolling in. There are several contractors there already, all in F250 and F350 trucks in all shapes and sizes.

As I come walking up I knew what was coming and was ready for them. At the time those trucks were going for 40-60K depending on what trim they had.

One of the wise guys quips out, "Seems we are paying the Surveyor too much money", not in the mood, I asked him how much a F250 like his costs, I didn't let him answer I answered for him, "40K maybe 60K? you could buy two or three of those 1980 Porsche's instead."*

That stopped that.

Several years ago I found and bought a pretty beat up 94 Toyota Pickup for $1200. I used it as a work truck because I tend to just beat them into the ground. After a few comments abut how sketchy the truck looked I sold it for what I paid for it (after using it 4 years) and grabbed a newer Tacoma. I miss the 94 a lot, I wish I just sent it in for bodywork and new paint and kept it.

OP - I can see where your partner is coming from. I also agree with your position, look successful.

Every get cozy enough with a client that you could ask a few as time passes and decide from that feedback? That is the real feedback that matters.

That was why I got rid of my 94 Pickup because of the feedback I got from clients who I got to know.


*does not apply today.

In agreement with most here.

Some people only see the Marquee and don't really know true value.

I'd go middle of the road as well.

Nice clean newish domestic vehicle.

Put VW Touareg emblems on your cayenne.
Problem solved.

Pickup good...Porsche not so good.