What do you guys drive?

A good realtor's car is a paid-off car.

I drive a 99' Honda Accord. It gives me good mileage, clean and comfortable. Nothing fancy.

I will be starting my career in two weeks and will be driving my '04 Corolla. Looking to upgrade to a new Camry or Avalon within the next year or two.

I agree 100%

I don't like payments.

You guys have to be kidding me. Hondas and Toyotas as real estate agent cars. In my market, that screams LOOSER more than anything you could think of.

Show that your sucessful. BMW, Mercedes, Jag etc.

Not toyotas and hondas, Ha Ha Ha you guys just cracked me up.

Volkswagon Beetle convertible and I love it

Nothing screams LOSER like someone who can't spell it correctly.
Show that YOU'RE successful, learn how to write correctly.

I currently have a 05 Chevy Silverado extended cab. Not sure anyone is going to want to cram into the backseat.

It's more important to keep it clean, inside & out, & in good repair, than what it is. Also depends on the areas you'll be doing business in. No way I'd take a Bimmer (even my old one) to inner-city Cleveland or Akron.

Did you know that a lot of customers are put off by illiterate show-offs? :rolleyes:

One of the busiest agents I know drives a 1996 Toyota that has seen better days but is taken care of and is clean; his success is in his ATTITUDE with his clients! They trust him, they like him, and they refer him because of who he is, not what he drives.

Amen!

I think we should buy what we can afford, and not to project an image that we are not. Many successful people (ie high net worth, and not the high income, low net worth ppl) drive older cars too. What I learnt from reading Millionaire Minds is that alot of people are NOT what they drive.

Sure, some markets may require a little more than a Honda or a Toyota, but whatever it is, keeping your business expense low is the key.

So what if "my agent" shows me in his/ her nice fancy Cadillac? There are 2 ways of looking at this: One: Sure he/ she is successful, or is he really? Two: I better buy something today, or else how is he/she going to make that car payment next month...???

I just love this car... I think your clients would love the ride in it too....

When I grow up, I'd love to own one too

Toyota Camry / Honda Accord, the pricey cars are nice but I agree with others who have said they are "show off " cars ...oh look what I am going to spend your commission on , a nice Camry or Accord strikes a nice balance of not to show offy and a successful salesperson ....also you'll be putting for sale signs/ ope house signs and all sorts in the trunk when they are wet and snow covered - would you want to do that in a very expensive car?

I like it because it's cute, fun to drive, resonably priced, seats 4, but I really only can take 1 other comfortable, keeping clients from asking to bring their kids along. When it's a couple and I know I want to be able to offer to have them ride with me, I take my boyfriend's Civic

I drive what I can pay for up front, in full. I don't buy a new auto every year and have no desire to attempt to "impress" someone with my car. I'd rather impress them with my knowledge, years of service, dedication and negotiation skills!

For those who want to know: I now drive a 2003 Mercedes E-Class I paid for it in full this year & it's what I want to drive & could afford to pay for in full, not what I think will impress someone! I worked very hard & intellegently in order to afford it. My previous daily auto is a 1996 VW Jetta (still have it). I listed & sold a lot of of property while driving that auto and all my buyers that were in town, rode in my VW or followed me! Proof positive that you don't have to drive an expensive auto in order to be a professional! In fact, the majority of comments I got in the past year were "what sort of gas milage do you get?" and "My SUV is killing my wallet & I need to get something that gets better gas milage!" These are comments from very affluent people.

Those who believe in the "expensive auto = credibility/success" philosophy must be attempting to make up for some inferiority complex or lack of self worth by leasing/financing high dollar automobiles because they think it will impress others. I've really found that it's agents trying to impress other agents more than customers/clients!

It's saddening to watch the agents who set out to impress everyone with a leased or financed luxury auto, only to starve to death or go out of business due to high expenses in a down market.

Your market may be different & the above is my personal opinion based upon personal experience!

For those who think that they must overextend themselves in order to be considered a professional or impress others... why don't you put a picture of your luxury auto instead of your image on your business card/web site?



Bottom line... set out to only impress yourself with your auto purchase & keep it CLEAN!!!

"Broker (than most)"!!!!!!

LOL!!! that's funny!

Paying for a car in full is about the dumbest thing someone can do. Why have $20k or $30k invested in a piece of metal that's rapidly depreciating, when you can put that money towards a downpayment on an investment property?

I would expect that kind of mentality from overly practical engineers, but not from realtors who realize the value of investing.

That said, I don't condone buying an expensive car to impress anyone, but you shouldn't be pinching pennies saving up for the whole thing either. Find a middle ground and buy one where you can easily afford the monthly payments.

ronsmith:

I don't appreciate the insinuation that I do "about the dumbest thing someone can do"! Especially by someone who does not know my situation or goals. Your goals may be different and I respect that without insinuating that you are mentally deficient.

I don't park my automobiles in a salt water tank therefore is no "rapid" metallic depreciation. I NEVER buy a NEW automobile. That's where you lose your hat in depreciation. I take very good care of my autos and as a result, they last me a long time. I have always taken a mileage deduction and trust me, it works out positively for my situation.

This most recent purchase was made from a single commission on the sale of a commercial property. My list, my sale @ 10% and only spent a small percentage of what I made. I don't believe I pinched any pennies! Furthermore, I've kept up with my deductions from the use of my old VW and I actually made money by driving it!

Unless you know what I bought the car for, what the current market value is and what my situation as far as real estate investing is, then you are making unqualified statements about my decisions!

That being said, I agree with you in your statement "Find a middle ground and buy one where you can easily afford the monthly payments." as long as you are not buying it to impress anyone other than yourself!

ROFLMBO @ that card!!!

I LOVE IT!

Because I don't like to be in debt. The best thing I ever did was pay off my other car and save myself the $300 monthly payment.

Now I will not buy a car unless I can pay at least half, or more, down first. Preferably, I would buy a used car that I can pay for in full.

Getting something like a Honda or Toyota is a wise investment simply because they last forever.

Mileage deduction is very rarely the best way to get tax advantages for your car. In fact, if you lease it, you get the best possible tax deduction. At least that's what I've read. But leasing has its own disadvantages, so if you own the car for both business and personal use, it's best to buy.

Btw, you should make money work for you, not the other way around. Instead of spending 20-30k on a car, think about how much advertising and how much new business you could have generated if instead you spread those car payments out and invested in your own business. Pay for clicks or mailers. In the time it takes you to pay off that car loan, you could generate dozens of new transactions and make a lot more money than if you stuck it in a car.

A 50% downpayment is about as much as I ever make on a car, and mostly it's about 25%. The interest payment is only $80/mo on a typical $18k car.

Ford. 4x4. super-crew. paid in full.

I just got a new Toyota Scion xB and love it. Go Toaster Power.

I love my toaster too! It catches the eye, gets good milage, and is comfortable to enter, exit, and ride in.
Let along the fact that it is a great signboard!

As I start my real estate sales career, I notice that the big "realtor" car in town is the Chrysler 300. (you know, the one that looks like a poor man's Rolls Royce...Hey, just kidding

Anyway, I am starting my real estate sales career, but I have been in commission sales all my life... Although I understand the practicality of some of the things that are said in this thread, and I know that Sam Walton, one the richest men at one time, drove to work in a pick up truck, I think that in a selling career, there are differant rules...In sales image matters....whether that image is true or not doesn't really matter...

I'm sorry, but if someone pulled up to my house for a listing appointment, and the agent drove up in a five year old brown Saturn, and another agent drove up in a black Escalade EXT, I'll list my house with the guy who drove the Caddy. One is an image of "success", the other isn't.

I am not saying that this is right or wrong, but I am saying that this is the way it is in a sales job.

1994 c220 Mercades paid in full. I like it, it gets good milage and is confortable. Just keep it clean.

Imagine that..two (2) rare mileage deductors and both of us is in RE...'99 ES300 bought off lease, not my lease, 34K miles - four years ago. Clean and maintained now 133K. If i leased i would be changing cars every six months...and that does not work for me

We must all drive Mercedes Benz. We must!
Ok, well here on the Westside we do. Thank
god I also have an Italian sports car.
T

And in my life, I've seen a lot of fools driving expensive cars, until the debts got out of control and they went bankrupt.

It's never been in my nature to judge someone's success by the kind of car they drive (in fact, I hear a lot of people with big gigantic expensive cars complaining about the bills and the 'need to get a sale asap').

I might go with the person with the caddy, or I might go with the person driving the Saturn. I'd have to meet and talk with them first and see which one "clicks" with me. Generally, I dislike pretentious people so I'd go with the one who seemed the most "real."

Why are you so pessimistic? Why do you automatically assume that the agent with a luxury car is up to her eyeballs in debt? What if the the opposite is true? What if the agent is such a high producer that she is able to pay cash for the Caddy?

And I don't care how much I "click" with somebody. (if I want a friend, I'll buy a dog!!) I hire an agent to sell my house, not be a member of my family...I have a better chance of my house being sold with a high-producer, regardless whether I "click" with that agent or not...

Why do you automatically assume that I want someone to be my friend? Is that what I said? My comment basically meant someone I can trust and feel that I can work with because they are not phony.

Also, why do you automatically assume an expensive car equals success? I didn't assume that EVERYONE with an expensive car was up to their eyeballs in debt; you read that into my post and it was not there. I said I KNEW PEOPLE who were like that. I'm not some idiot who assumes that because SOME PEOPLE are a certain way that ALL PEOPLE ARE that same way. Sheesh!!!

I believe I said I MIGHT go with someone with an expensive car, or I MIGHT NOT - it depends on the AGENT, not the CAR!

:rolleyes:

Mine is a circa 1800 something horse and buggy or should that be horse and carriage! It is paid for, the hay is free and if I could only find a good source for sturdy whips....let's see maybe I could Ask Jeeves if he is still around.

Does any one know the difference between a buggy and a carriage? Don't they still describe cars by horse power and some other word like under carriage?

I think the term Buggy is an American (English) term & Carriage is English (British).

They still describe power in horsepower units. A unit of power in the U.S. Customary System, equal to 745.7 watts or 33,000 foot-pounds per minute.

Undercarriage is the underside of an auto.

I don't have a good source for whips, sorry!

Looks like more agents have their auto paid for than I had assumed. That's a good thing in a slow market!

A couple of years ago I had a Range Rover and a Ford Focus. Sometimes I went out on listing appointments or out with buyers in the Focus, and sometimes in the Rover.

I actually landed more listings and sales driving the Focus. It was a running joke in my office that "the little car catches the client."

I drive a 98 Tahoe. It is what I drove before I was an agent. (a gift from my fiance', now husband) The next vehicle will be an older 4 wheel drive truck. Why? Becuase I show land quite a bit and need something I can take in the woods without getting stuck or worrying about scratches.

I drive a Honda Element. Good car, affordable, and quite popular - even in my high end area Note - NO ONE has indicated that my car isn't up to snuff.

Wealthy people are often practical people as well. I know many a wealthy man and woman who drive cars for their durability and performance. After all, pouring money into a rapidly depreciating asset seldom makes financial sense. Further, the type of client who would reject an agent based on their CAR is the type of client to stay away from in the first place.

Considering the number of clients that already think we get paid too much (a thought I highly disagree with!) driving a high priced "status car" only serves to confirm their thoughts.

I agree with the answers that read: "paid for", "clean", "reliable", etc.

Coming from a pretty conservative financial "thinking", I feel that having a paid-for car, or paying it down as fast as I can is a guaranteed thing. Having to invest that $300-$400 somewhere else doesnt guarantee a 100% return, but extra principals towards the debt is a sure thing.

A car is to get from Point A to Point B in a safe and timely manner. Not a status symbol. With credit so rampant these days, who really cares if someone is walking on the streets with chain-lock size necklaces.

A "status" symbol is having a 6-digit bank account and a possible 7-digit investment account and having peace while acquiring all of that.

Again, a good realtor car is one which fits your needs (big enough if you haul alot of clients in it), clean, realible and paid-off.

Here's a new tag line I thought of for some of you. "So what if I drive a Honda and wear a leisure suit, at least their both clean!!!"

I completely agree that attitude is everything. And that even strengthens my argument, how can you feel successful in a Honda or Toyota? The buses in our area I've heard are fairly clean, would you take clients to see homes on a bus. It both screams loser. Hondas and Toyotas as Realtor cars signify elderly consertive money pinching, not top producing agent. Cant you even save more money with a Kia or a Yugo as a car?


And as far as the VW, how do your clients feel about sitting in the back seat. Great cars for fun, but not business.


Kryssa, I'm glad your hanging on my every word to even notice spelling. This is a forum where I type quick, not a contract.

Why is there a need to "project" an image? Can we be the person whom we are?

I for one, really dont care how others view my "financial" status. I do care about how they view my character and services though. I dont walk around with my checkbook balance stuck on my forehead, maybe that's what the car is for??? If I have clients who dont want my services simply because I drive a non-fancy upscale luxury car, so be it. There are plenty of fishes in the sea.

Buy a car to fit a need, not to make it into a status symbol.

Just my 2 cents.

You make Hondas and Toyotas sound like they're Pintos!

To me when I see someone driving a Honda or Toyota I think "There is a smart person!" I don't think "penny pincher" or "elderly."

(I reserve "elderly" for those who drive Buicks.) :p

"how can you feel successful in a Honda or Toyota?" .... Andrew, I checked your website and I am surprised. I was expecting to find a 19 year old.

I really think it's going to depend on your area and your clientele. If the majority of your clientele drives expensive luxury cars, and that is the "norm" for your community, then that would probably make the most sense for you.

In an area where people are more casual, laid back, and practical, rather than flashy, you're better off with a more sensible car.

Also many people need to take into consideration winter road conditions.

My boyfriend has a Honda Civic I take when I need to drive around more than 1 person. However, I like my Bug, as I don't have to deal with clients wanting to bring their kids into my car.

Then again, if you had read my post, you would have known that.- "I like it because it's cute, fun to drive, resonably priced, seats 4, but I really only can take 1 other comfortable, keeping clients from asking to bring their kids along. When it's a couple and I know I want to be able to offer them a ride, I take my boyfriend's Civic"

I guess along with spelling, he needs to brush up on reading comprehension too.

:rolleyes: :p

Look, I guess it comes down to if you believe that realtors are salespeople or not...I just got done listening to sales tape where the trainer spent the whole side of the tape talking about "dressing well." "Looking good," "wearing good clothes." Isn't that image? Isn't that looking the part of success? Or maybe you think Bob Proctor (the sales trainer on the tape) is full of crap. I don't know...

I am not making this up to annoy people. Most sales trainers, from Zig Ziglar on down, talk about "image". "Looking the part of success"...Now, if you're one of those non-"A" personality types, who don't like to think of real esate as a "selling" job, then so be it.

Maybe we ARE thinking about "Image" and not wanting to look cocky, flashy, showy, arrogant, or boastful?

Nothing wrong with "image." Good hygeine, nice, newer, clean, stylish well cared for clothes, (you don't have to wear Armani to be stylish). A confident attitude, looking people in the eye, a firm handshake, determined, knowlegable demeanor. A car that is well cared for, in great condition and doesn't look like it belongs to Peter Falk. These to me, say more about someone's success than whether they drive a $90,000 car or not.

The fact is, success does NOT equal living to extremes and showing off all your toys.

I guess it all depends on the image you're trying to portray.

You can have all the stuff and still come off as a pompous arrogant #$%&#.

Speaking of images projected by what we drive, I made an opportunity to visit and ride for a week with a fellow professional in *chowcowgo* as he called it. His niche was FHA 203K and as a consultant for mortgagors in the rehabilitation loan program he would also inspect for the mortgagees after the loan closed for escrow releases on the work-in-process construction.

His choice of ride was a used *ChowCowgo* police cruiser ususally bought from the city auction and mostly Crown Vics with high mileage as they were left over unmarked detective. He would leave the little whip antennas on the truck deck often driving the alleys short cutting to thru streets.

Since a lot of his projects were in brownstone revitalization areas, he projected thru his vehicle the image of don't mess with me, cuz when we snaked around - we looked like *Da Man* complete with cheap dark sunglasses and the whip antennas

Interesting huh...

Pepperjack,

There are a lot of cars between Hondas and Toyotas that don't need to cost $90,000. And why is driving a nice car "living to extremes" as you put it?

Sorry, but I'm still cracking up that people think driving a Honda or Toyota as a realtor car is ok. To me, nothing screams success like a clean and tidy Honda Civic.

You guys are killing me. I think my grandmother had a Honda once.

Come on people. Think, act, dress, and drive like your successful. Your clients will go with success. Any why does success have to mean arrogant like some of you suggest? Success is an attitude, but it has nothing to do with arrogance. I drive a nice car because I am handling the most expensive assets and transactions that most of us will ever have. Would you want to see your stock broker driving a Honda or Toyota. Not me, I'm going with the 'non-arrogant' professional that dresses, looks and acts like a million bucks. That's who I want handeling my affairs. Not a very nice sweet country bumpkin with a clean honda.

Just my opinion. But, maybe in CA I'm just in a different market.

Thanks everyone for their comments. For the most part they were good. But I think it has gone on enough. Therefore I will close the topic. It will stay up for a while and then be deleted.