Wow, Perky...you SHOULD have been a cop! Those are some great points. I thought the same way when I visited my now-husband when he lived in Ky and I was up here in Cleveland. I kept a hairbrush down there, with hairs in it (never cleaned it out completely) so he'd have DNA for the cops. In case I didn't make it home after one of our visits. He always thought that was creepy, but I thought it was being realistic.

I understand Safety reasons. I guess out of 100 times you drive your clients around, all it takes is 1 bad experience to forever scar you.

IMHO, spending time in the car is important. That's where you build the relationship. In fact, depending on the clients, I have my lovely assistant (my dear husband) drives so that I can fully concentrate in giving 100% to my clients. I feel safe with these people to begin with, they are my husband's friends. That's why I tag him along.

Back to the original topic: This is just based on 1 conversation an agent friend told me way back..... This lady found this million-dollar commercial transaction client. She was new and knew she needed help. She "partnered" with my agent-friend on the transaction. When my agent-friend saw him (the client) for the first time, he came in with a polo t-shirt, shorts and a baseball cap. Later, found out he was getting ready for vacation. My agent-friend was in his $1000 suit. When the conversation ended, she left first. She drove off in a tiny compact car. The client's comment (he was courteous and seems to be a nice guy) was: "She's not in the business very long, is she?" - my agent-friend could tell he made that comment after seeing what she drove.

I feel what you drive should be reasonable presentable. It should something that you need to be able to fit 2 adults very comfortably at your back seat. I have cars that start with the size of a Honda Civic (not my work car). My 6-footer friends look squashed in my car. It is not the luxury, but you do need to make your clients feel comfortable. Clean of course!

What you drive and wear becomes less important when your clients begin to know you. And instead of thinking that you are trying to impress someone, I have learnt to change the way I think about First Impression. I show up professionally in a respectful manner: and that includes dressing and driving. I do all these out of respect for my profession.
I did NOT say if you dont drive a luxury model, it is not respectful. So, please dont blow it out of proportion.

I think comfort and cleanliness are the most important. But dont forget that the impression counts as well. Never buy a car to impress.

I bought my real estate car for very little money compared to what people pay for theirs (if you want to call it, less in luxury) brand new. I bought it on craigslist. I hunted for a great deal. I paid about 8-10K less than market value from an individual.

Since we're in the topic, I am looking around for a compact, sporty sedan which I think will serve my purpose in the business and hopefully will bring in good revenues without turning them off (hopefully) and without burning my wallet.

I'm taking a heart on a 2007 Civic Si. It has a sporty-style, with a Jykll and Hide kind of performance (well mannered, agile when desired); optioned out with a Navigation system @ $23k.

Or would it be much ideal to have a larger vehicle, say a Camry and the like?

I currently drive a Corolla, so I'm partial to Toyotas. One day I was parked next to a Camry at the mall. It was EXACTLY LIKE my car...only bigger. It was a joke with me and the kids...that's what our car would look like when it grew up.

I've always said I'd NEVER own a mini-van. So to compromise, I'm thinking my next vehicle after I'm licensed and making tons and tons of money <grin> is one of the hybrids...bigger than a station wagon, but smaller than a van. Roomy enough to drive around a family (including MY family), but small enough to not make be a nuisance of...and easy on the environment. It's on my wish-list.

Good luck with your decision!!

My ultimate dream was to have a dual sliding door mini van. When I got my grand caravan with that, my next was to get a HONDA mini van.

And now, I've come full circle and want my Camaro back. lol

Aaaaaah...a Camaro! Do they still make those??

Are your clientele more towards the young and sporty types?

If you serve a broad range of clients, you might do better with a Camry - you mentioned.

I paid less than what you would for the Civic and I drive a RX 330.

Have you considered buying a used 2-3 year old car? Let the first owner take the hit.

Okay, this is weird. I was returning home from showing homes this morning and a while stopped at a red light, a lady(on a cell phone) slammed into the rear of my vehicle doing 50 MPH. My vehicle went into the intersection and hit another car. My car was totaled. The Fire and Police told me that if it was another car, I probably wouldn't of walked out scratch free. I was driving a newer E class Benz.

This topic really hit the spot. Because we were just recently thinking of getting rid of my wife's BMW 540 and getting a smaller car to save gas. After this, I really do feel that the expensive med. sized cars are engineered better. Maybe I'm wrong, but not just for status reasons they are better designed cars. As agents, we drive a lot more than the average person. Also, while carrying clients it's a liability factor. I could not even imagaine the lawsuit potiental I had a client with me.

So, I'm driving my 4Runner until I replace my Benz, I'm probably going to get the larger S-Class or a Humvee (kidding about the humvee). I know I know, I'm killing trees, but at least I'll be around longer to see the world melt.

I was thinking of having a to purchase of a slightly used car. But experience have taught me to stay away from used cars potentially buying someone else's problem.

In terms of cient, no I do not have any specifics, but after reading through this thread, I think I will only drive my clients around with my car if there was no other way. I'm sure my clients would appreciate it if I mentioned that safety is a major part of my business.

Wow, I have had only used cars for the past 17 years.

The only one that has given us any grief was the Dodge Caravan.

My Honda Odyssey is only 2 years old...and I love, love, love it. Couldn't afford a new one, and the used one was hard enough...the used one cost almost as much as a new Dodge...but Dodge vans have lousy reputations after 100K miles, and I didn't want to run into that again. Replaced two dodge transmissions, and that was enough! LOL

We've had owned only Japanese made cars and so far, never had a problem with them. My BIL bought a 1990 Honda Accord almost 4 years ago with 160K to go to college and he paid $1.8K. The major thing he had to spend on was $400 - a while back. Yet I would consider this not too much of a problem.

A realtor friend of mine recently bought an X-5. She's happy with it, but she said she's not THRILLED. My sister owned an X-5 and her good friend owned one too. They never kept the car too long because they had some problems with it.

Depending on what car you select, sometimes a 2-3 yr old car is just as good. But you dont have to pay for the depreciation. The car I bought still had the 100K miles warranty with the dealership. I get to use it and give me a free loaner car too. So, I am not out of luck had I needed my car that day.

Good luck. I know buying a car can be overwhelming. It's like pulling teeth with me. I rather see a dentist than to walk into a car dealership.

BayRE had the best response. Drive what provides you with comfort and safety. You MUST register (disclose) your car as a commercial vehicle transporting clients or face denial of coverage for a lie of omission. Insurance companies look for reasons to deny coverage. I now drive a vehicle that returns resale value. I avoid where possible driving during RUSH Hours. After consuming two vehicles driving prospects, looking for fruit and candy hidden in the back seat, cleaning out kidlet puke, carry extra rolls of Toilet paper and wet naps... I now drive a two door and they follow me. Most times when ONE party is out scouting properties I drive them. When they are on their second or third tour they are usually a larger grouping and find comfort in their own vehicle.

It sounds to me like the agents pay more attention to their cars (should I say each others cars?) than their clients do!

If it is clean and reliable that is all thats needed, everything else is personal taste.

Perky: Sorry you had trouble with the Caravan. I had a Voyager that was 307,000 plus miles that I replaced with a Town and Country currently at 134,00 plus. Maybe yours was a "Friday Afternoon" build!

I don't think it matters as long as the car is clean and is not too old or beat up.

I often hear agents making excuses about why are not listing or selling homes. The bottom line is that if you are not listing a home or showing a home, you are not making money!

Therefore, your focus should be on doing those things that will get you a listing appointment OR getting a buyers butt in your Elantra!

Best of luck!