A Ford Escape may look a bit cheap, in my opinion. Up until January, I was driving a 98 Trans Am for 4 years of my real estate career. I feel pretty proud of myself that I still succeeded while driving a sports car. I can't even describe how happy I was to purchase the Escalade in January though.

Yea well the good thing about the escape is its the hybrid so it gets quite better gas milage than all the others. They all have leather interior and sat/nav but I just cant make up my mind.

Came into this discussion very late, but I thought it would be a fun topic... I just closed a transaction at $2.55M Cash, representing the buyer. While in the process of looking for the home, my buyer is from China, he dresses extremely comfortable :o) I was driving my F250 4X4 Crewcab everywhere (San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles County) got very expensive, so about halfway through the search I switched over to my wife's 97 Toyota Camry. It was actually fun showing up to $2M dollar properties in a small older car, especially when you show up at the guarded gates to show the homes. The listing agents were dressed confortable also, but the cars they drive were very nice.

Really didn't get any "yeah right" attitudes, I guess when you are at that level you know not to judge the book by the cover.

When we finally submitted our offer at cash, it was just comfortable to know you didn't have to sweat thinking you wouldn't close.

Like I told one person who I was showing homes to when he asked me why I drove such a large truck instead of a smaller luxury car, I said I would rather drive through the other car and not get sued by my client and/or their family for killing or injuring them. I leave my BMW at home because I am not trying to impress anyone :o)

Actually I really leave the BMW at home because it is having personal problems, LOL!!

08 BMW 335i. that should woo some clients :p

car topic, very interesting!!

had impression all agents driving fancy big cars or SUVs (with GPS) which are good to drive clients around.

Here're some links to those other Car threads Perky made reference to up above:

What everyone else is driving

or

Image

Yea a lot of the agents drive fancy cars like BMW or Benz, but I love those agents who drive a truck as well!

I have driven a truck all 9 years of my career. It's not even a very nice truck. I like it and it's clean, but it's an entry level, xl model f150. Floors are plastic, crank windows, manual locks. I just showed houses this weekend driving it. I don't show very often though and it was one buyer, not a family.

I have fun when I show up at houses w/ my hubby's pick up, complete with galvanized tool boxes and ladder racks. I say "I'm your redneck realtor for today!" and it always gets a few laughs. Esp. when I have a slight issue with the manual transmission and starting out on a slope!

Drive something that demonstrates that YOU know how to make an intelligent purchase, after all, YOU are asking that they trust you with their purchase of an item that costs 10x as much. When we sell/lease Real Estate, we encourage clients to find the best balance of location, amenities, aesthetics, cost of ownership, etc. How then could one preach those concepts to a client while stepping out of a vehicle that doesn't reflect the use of similar logic?

There are geographic factors that will diversify the vehicles agents drive, but a key thing to remember is that clients may see your vehicle more than your personal office. Your vehicle, your appearance, your confidence and range of expertise are all reflective of your degree of success. Your vehicle is your mobile office. I see agents pay extra (even 3x the normal rate)for an office with a window or a view, but don't see the value in a loaded Toyota Camry Hybrid or Toyota Sequoia Hybrid, instead of an H2, Corvette, or pick-up truck.

Its also important to place slightly more value on the opinions of people that can afford to purchase any vehicle they want to, and CHOOSE a particular vehicle for XYZ reasons (IMHO)

We just bought a vehicle. Our final three choices were BMW X3, FJ Cruiser and Jeep X Unlimited (4 door). Beemer won.

People buy vehicles for different reasons. Not everyone wants/needs the same thing out of a vehicle. Hybrid vehicles do not appeal to many consumers (agents and their clients) for some very logical and intelligent reasons. SUVs and sports cars appeal to many consumers for very logical and intelligent reasons.

Im thinking about getting a nissan altima? or some 4 door car. any suggestions

I just purchased the 2010 Nissan Altima SL in black, with black leather!

GREAT CAR! It is amazing on gas, nice inside and out and looks like a Lexus from far.

Check it out...