What is a good "business car?"

[LWJ]

Not geriatric! Thanks Kaisen.

[LWJ]

I did notice that NOBODY liked the 996 idea. It almost seems like a really good option.

An interesting note, the biggest producer in my office? Drives a crappy f150. Next biggest? Crappy Expedition with nasty stains on the seats. (milkshake - I know what you were thinking) Next? An Escalade. Next? An Explorer and a 996 on nice days.

Makes you think that a crap rig doesn't matter.

Larry

[RANDY P]

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.

Exactly. If you judge your salesperson on how mediocre they appear to be you will get just that. Would you rather deal with someone who closes a ton stuff and makes deals and gets paid or someone who doesn't and doesn't get paid?

The highest paid salespeople are the ones who MAKE DEALS. Sometimes that means giving things away. A dollar in your till is better than a dollar in your competitors till.

Don't be a lazy consumer and assume because your rep doesn't have much you are getting the best deal-- do your homework before you sign anything as well.

As always, "Buyer beware"

rjp


EDIT: Also, as a salesperson you can't go too far over what your general clients are like- to some extent you have to mirror them- if you show up looking like a greased up TV Evangelist and acting like a "salesman"- with excessive unnecessary jewelry / garish by any standard you are all done- you aren't closing anyone except dumbschits that don't qualify anyhow so they don't count. Don't do that either.

Nothing wrong with a reasonably nice german car or an understated but good quality watch and clothes appropriate to the scenery . It shows maturity.

[look 171]

A Ford or Chevy. New clean, and not too flashy.

[cantdrv55]

A newish 5 series, Benz or Volvo station wagon.

[Sarc]

Originally Posted by LWJ

I have considered a Vette. Damn they are fun.

When I was fresh out of school, my AE firm did a lot of work with a GC located two blocks down the road. The point man over there was a classic d-bag; early 40's, supercuts haircut, size 38s (when he should have been at least a 44) with a generous belly cantilever. This guy would question our fees in front of the client to get a lower price ("Wait, your charging me what? I thought it was this".)
The final piece to complete this guys stud-dom was a new C6 convertible. Yellow, with a striking yellow/black interior. Chrome 20's with a yellow lips. License plate read "VETTEZILLA".

Anyway, we have a client in one day to interview GCs for his significant project. Very soft spoken, polite guy. I keep noticing throughout the process the client excusing himself for 30 seconds or so. Finally, Zilla comes in and gives his pitch. Client steps out 2 minutes in and comes back in to interrupt Zilla; "Thank you, but I don't think we'll be needing you or Vettezilla on this project, you can go now and you should really work at using only one parking spot".

I'll never forget the look on his face

[cashflyer]

Originally Posted by Sarc

I keep noticing throughout the process the client excusing himself for 30 seconds or so. Finally, Zilla comes in and gives his pitch. Client steps out 2 minutes in and comes back in to interrupt Zilla; "Thank you, but I don't think we'll be needing you or Vettezilla on this project, you can go now and you should really work at using only one parking spot"

Was he sneaking out to take cell-phone pics for the "douchebag" thread?

[dienstuhr]

Originally Posted by 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

Wow, that is one shockingly unattractive car.

[imcarthur]

Thank you for my late afternoon chuckle, dienstuhr. And you are right.

Ian

[ScottT80]

Have you considered a 2000-2003 Nissan Maxima or Infiniti I30 or I35? We have a 1998 I30 and a 2003 Maxima. I honestly like the older I30 better even though it has twice the miles on it. They're cheap, economical to run and roomy. You can also get a 5 speed with them.

[edgemar]

2005ish Acura TL nice car huge rear seat can be had with a 6 speed manual.

[LWJ]

Great thoughts. I have been grinding on this and have a number of ideas.

Thanks all!
Larry

[HardDrive]

Pick up a lease return Ford Taurus.

[NO LIFT]

I use a Chevy Impala with police package for my business car. It drives completely different than other Impalas I have had.

No one even notices me.

But, the car drives well enough to keep me entertained, I enjoy embarrassing BMW, MB, Acura, Infiniti etc on entrance/exit ramps and twisties.

Reliable, parts are cheap when you need them.

As far as what customers think, I think they notice whether or not your car is clean (in & out) rather than what it is. If you have a dirty messy car, you don't have attention to detail. And that relates to how they believe they will be treated.

My $.02.

[t951]

I am an engineer and I am paired with a sales guy.

For just driving long distance, no customer visit, we take our 2011 Jetta TDI (Diesel is awesome, the seats suck).

If we are taking a customer out then we take his ride:
(Not his, but looks the same):



The Diesel: