What is a good "business car?"

[LWJ]

I currently drive my SC for work. Yes. I take some heat. Most people like it. I sell business insurance and meet with CFO / Controller / Presidents of small to medium businesses. I network with bankers and accountants. I think I need a less quirky car. Four adult seats would be nice as well.

The number one contender is an older 5 series BMW. Cheap and they can come with a manual transmission. I see nice ones under 10K all day long. Attractive, somewhat quality built, and not super boring. I have had a 3 series in the past. Nothing wrong with those either.

I have seen some gorgeous AMG coupes but I think that is too much. The appearance of excess is cause for clients to wonder how much I make? I get comments with a 32 year old Porsche currently. Also, I am afraid of maintenance on the AMG.

Desires:
1) comfortable,
2) professional,
3) seat five as I have three children,
4) somewhat fuel efficient,
5) mechanically sound,
6) less boring is better - notice I didn't say Toyota? I spent many miles in corporate company cars and have an aversion to rigs like the Taurus / Camry / Accord. Just too appliance like for me.
7) Price? It would be nice to keep it under 10K However, a 996 is an option for $17 - 25K. Boxsters are cheap (I know, they break most all of my criteria!) M3's are fun.
8) My biggest objection to my SC is that it is very noisy. Hard to talk on my phone. It is also bumpy and tiring for long drives. While this is the charm of an SC, it is less than ideal for a salesman's car. I do about 8K of business miles annually, so not a lot. Most miles are around town. I hope with a more relaxing car, I can increase this significantly, along with my income.

Thank you.
Larry

[kaisen]

Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Infiniti, Acura all have models that fit your criteria.... you need to get more specific about your wants/needs including whether a manual transmission is really a must. Hard to talk on the phone and shift in around-town driving.

[Chocaholic]

Why not consider a 3 year old Infiniti M35, G35 or Lexus GS?

[legion]

I would think that in sales, you want to project that you're not some fly-by-night saleman, but also that you don't have obscene profit margins.

As such, these are the vehicle I think paint the right picture:

Chevy Impala
Cadillac CTS
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKZ
Anything 4-door in the middle of the Volkswagon/Audi lineup

I didn't put any Japanese cars on their because I can't think of any that are big enough to be comfortable for four grown men without also being pricey.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Why not consider a 3 year old Infiniti M35, G35 or Lexus GS?

Forgot about the GS..... good alternative

[Jim Bremner]

CTS-V? in Silver?

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Hmmm, selling to small business owners in the US.

Driving an American car might be a viable business strategy. I read that you do not wish to impress upon them any excesses that might be coming your way. You are also trying to reach into a target market of people who are doing business in America. When I had public contact I ALWAYS drove an American vehicle. Believe me, sitting on the other side of the desk, they notice what you are driving and the condition of the vehicle!

Just as a way of saying you support American jobs and looking at it from a business perspective. It is why major businesses generally give "boring" American "made" vehicles to the sales groups.

[RANDY P]

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

rjp

[HHI944]

X350 chassis XJ?

[mepstein]

Either continue to be unique and drive what you want or decide what type of client you want (not necessarily already have) and drive a car they drive or relate to.

[Instrument 41]

Well you are judged by what you drive. So you first need to decide how your clients would feel if you drove up in a _____? I have been in sales since 1990, and for a gear head this has been a huge issue for me. I don't want boring but for my "requirements" most cars that fit the bill are boring. I settled on nice 4 door truck. What about a Tahoe or Expedition?
Calling on industrial accounts you could drive up in a 4 year old 5 series and the next guy drive up in a full size, 4 door, 3/4 ton. 4wd will all the bells and whistles, that cost 3 times as much as the BMW. Guess who get the negative comments?

[Jim Bremner]

Originally Posted by Instrument 41

Well you are judged by what you drive. So you first need to decide how your clients would feel if you drove up in a _____? I have been in sales since 1990, and for a gear head this has been a huge issue for me. I don't want boring but for my "requirements" most cars that fit the bill are boring. I settled on nice 4 door truck. What about a Tahoe or Expedition?
Calling on industrial accounts you could drive up in a 4 year old 5 series and the next guy drive up in a full size, 4 door, 3/4 ton. 4wd will all the bells and whistles, that cost 3 times as much as the BMW. Guess who get the negative comments?

I did road sales for 20+ years. First two sales cars I had were Izusu Troopers ( the early ones. Next was my '67 fastback mustang! I got a ton of crap for that one! 400,000 miles later I bought a used 96 Tbird with 10k miles on it and drove it 120k miles. The seats sucked in it but it worked great, next was a 200s Silverado, got crap for that! drove it 150k miles, ( Still drove the mustang every now and then) Sold the mustang and bought the 2006 Corvette, IT was odd some people really dug it and other poo'ed all over it. It was the best riding car and had the best MPG of all! I would say a FORD FUSION would cause the least amount of lip

[Jim Richards]

Tweak the initials in the grill and you're all set.

[Rot 911]

Like the other posters have said, for your business car, play to the expectations of your audience.

I'm lucky. As an attorney my clients expect me to look like I am doing well. I've overheard my clients talking to others and refer to me as "my attorney is the guy driving the Porsche."

Of course if they are traveling with me somewhere I drive one of the cars that actually has working AC!

[jorian]

Lake Oswego? Aren't you supposed to drive a Subaru?

[VINMAN]

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Instrument 41

Well you are judged by what you drive. So you first need to decide how your clients would feel if you drove up in a _____? I have been in sales since 1990, and for a gear head this has been a huge issue for me. I don't want boring but for my "requirements" most cars that fit the bill are boring. I settled on nice 4 door truck. What about a Tahoe or Expedition?
Calling on industrial accounts you could drive up in a 4 year old 5 series and the next guy drive up in a full size, 4 door, 3/4 ton. 4wd will all the bells and whistles, that cost 3 times as much as the BMW. Guess who get the negative comments?

That's right. I sold windows and occasionally would drive an old Cadillac. Yes, even a 1990 Caddy gets some comments. It was worth less than 3K. My old '96 Jag gets looks like it is some kind of rich man's car. I paid 3500 for it.

I wouldn't buy anything that has those perceptions for a business car. I'd go to Enterprise and buy a 2 year old rental.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by LWJ

The appearance of excess is cause for clients to wonder how much I make?

I think of how much he's overcharging me. If a guy shows up in a fancy car trying to sell me anything, the answer is "no." Try a Camry, or something equally nondescript.

[Jim Richards]

How about leasing a Buick Regal Turbo or GS with manual tranny?

[RWebb]

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