What is a good "business car?"

[cashflyer]

You need an American made 4-door with an automatic. Something mid-level upscale, and a few years old. Something like a first gen Chrysler 300 with the 3.5 liter engine.

The 300C was the 2005 Motor Trend Car of the Year and was on Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 2005 and 2006. It also won the North American Car of the Year and Canadian Car of the Year Best New Luxury Car awards.

Either that, or a Chevrolet Caprice.

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by RANDY P

W210 E55. Don't fear maintenance. Good car.

rjp

Agree 100%. Heck, even an e320, but the w210s are great cars. I love mine (w210 e300d)... comfortable, quiet, reliable and easy to work on. Not as much fun to drive as our w203 c320, but a big, comfy car that is nimble and solid.

Although even with a 10+ year old benz, you will get those comments. I do

Fow what it's worth, I drive a my 91 C4 every day, and you may want to try one before you give up on using a 911 as a DD. Compared to an SC or Carrera, it's quite a bit easier to use on the daily grind. Much quieter (easy to use the phone), better (softer) ride, power steering and decent AC. Try one, you might find it's a reasonable compromise

[azasadny]

Not a Chrysler 300, the "ghetto Bentley"!!

[abisel]

How about a '36 Ford Business Coupe?

[ben parrish]

Steer clear of anything memorable...go low key. VW, Accord, Fusion, etc.
It doesn't matter what it cost...what matters is what people think it cost. Any "luxry brand" car is going to evoke jealousy from most people..just the way it is.

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by azasadny

Not a Chrysler 300, the "ghetto Bentley"!!

lol... it does have that image, but the company provided me one on a business trip last year and I really liked the ride.

[Hugh R]

You won't wrinkle anyone's nose with an American car. I'd go nice Taurus or something similar. Cadillac may say "I make lots of profit".

[EarlyPorsche]

I honestly prefer salespeople who I work with to have expensive cars/clothes/watches. Why? They are servicing their clients correctly, recommending the right stuff, and growing their business just like I want to grow mine. A salesman in a Camry looks like he hasn't grown up since being at University. A salesman in an S550 AMG to me looks like a salesman that has earned commissions over and over again on accounts and so I can trust his advice AND he will want to get me to grow so he can move up to the S600

What this says is - don't worry about looking "too good" at what you do or looking like you make "too much" money. We're here to succeed not be average.

[Hugh R]

Touche' well said.

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

I honestly prefer salespeople who I work with to have expensive cars/clothes/watches. Why? They are servicing their clients correctly, recommending the right stuff, and growing their business just like I want to grow mine. A salesman in a Camry looks like he hasn't grown up since being at University. A salesman in an S550 AMG to me looks like a salesman that has earned commissions over and over again on accounts and so I can trust his advice AND he will want to get me to grow so he can move up to the S600

What this says is - don't worry about looking "too good" at what you do or looking like you make "too much" money. We're here to succeed not be average.

I sell real estate and that certainly holds true for me. A little different in a way, because I am being HIRED by my clients to sell their house... so they want to see certain indications of success

[gprsh924]

E39 BMW.

Fantastic work car

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by RWebb

you want a car comparable to, but one notch downscale, from the ones driven by those bankers and accountants

Correct answer. If they're driving 5's & E Series, you go with 3 or C Series or equivalent.

Ian

[LWJ]

Excellent responses! The reason I am so very torn is I see both perspectives. I do prefer a manual trans but it not a deal breaker. As for the phone? I currently drive a stick and talk on my phone "hands free." All of the cars I have considered would be less involved than the SC - so would be a step up to some degree.

Seems there are two camps. 1) drive something under the customer or 2) don't worry and drive what I want / show some success. I don't think this argument will be resolved.

When I drove the corporate cars, there was ZERO comments on them. They were an appliance, just like a cell phone or a pen. The SC does get noticed. Positive to negative. Whatever. If I can't sell past a 32 year old car I am not much of a sales guy. However, a shiny Merc is a whole different issue.

I have considered a Vette. Damn they are fun. Camaro / GTO / Firebird as well. I just don't want that much power. I do have my weaknesses!

Thanks again,
Larry

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Seems there are two camps. 1) drive something under the customer or 2) don't worry and drive what I want / show some success. I don't think this argument will be resolved.

It probably won't be resolved, as the answers you've gotten show two mindsets from different types of clients. I think you'll have to pay attention to your clients to get a feel for how the majority of them feel. Maybe asking them some subtle questions?

[HHI944]

I'll. Second the w210.....my e320 4matic wagon served me pretty much trouble free for 100k miles and was still running great at 195k when it was totaled.

[HHI944]

And you can pick up a very clean, low mile non-diesel example for well under 10k these days.

[genrex]

Larry, according to cars.com, the perfect business car for your situation is the Toyota Avalon.

You're welcome.

_

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by genrex

Larry, according to cars.com, the perfect business car for your situation is the Toyota Avalon.

I didn't realize Larry was geriatric

[HHI944]

Originally Posted by kaisen

I didn't realize Larry was geriatric

Epic.
I sat in an scaling the other day and instantly felt a few decades older...

[slow&rusty]

You cannot find an AMG Coupe for $10K unless it has a salvage title or seriously neglected \ alot of miles.

I like these alot..super reliable $10K and 330hp