Old but trusty, miserly & dependable in a diesel. E 300D Mercedes Benz.
If you've ever been to Europe they use these almost exclusively as taxi's. I put 1,200 mile per week on this car. It currently has 192,000.

Tried linking to a pic. but wouldn't take for some reason!

lol, true it is hard, navigating, driving, listening & dont forget the kids yelling....memories

Right now, I'm driving a blue Ford Expedition. I love it for many reasons... #1, it's blue (fav color), #2, it's paid for, #3, I have 3 young children and it's perfect for them and #4, it's huge so everyone stays outa my way!

However, I want my biz to grow, so once I have some extra cash, I think I want to buy a used, of course, luxury car...maybe a BMW...for work only. Not too fancy, and older, so $500K+ clients are impressed enough, but lower end clients aren't intimidated...

How's that?

[quote=cmyers]Right now, I'm driving a blue Ford Expedition. I love it for many reasons... #1, it's blue (fav color), #2, it's paid for, #3, I have 3 young children and it's perfect for them and #4, it's huge so everyone stays outa my way!

However, I want my biz to grow, so once I have some extra cash, I think I want to buy a used, of course, luxury car...maybe a BMW...for work only. Not too fancy, and older, so $500K+ clients are impressed enough, but lower end clients aren't intimidated...

How's that? [/quote]

It seems like the right car would be where its nice enough for your clients to respect you, but not too nice that they resent you.

Right now, I'm driving a blue Ford Expedition. I love it for many reasons... #1, it's blue (fav color), #2, it's paid for, #3, I have 3 young children and it's perfect for them and #4, it's huge so everyone stays outa my way!

However, I want my biz to grow, so once I have some extra cash, I think I want to buy a used, of course, luxury car...maybe a BMW...for work only. Not too fancy, and older, so $500K+ clients are impressed enough, but lower end clients aren't intimidated...
-----------------------------------

We have an '07 Toyota Sienna and an '08 Corolla, both are ours (paid off), and I'm in a similar situation - 3 small kids, so there isn't much I can do with the Sienna...

however, once I start working and make some money I will look into getting a nicer car for work, but that likely won't happen for a while, too many other priorities, so I'm going to hope that the clients I will work with won't care so much for a van... I also think it would be nice for showings if there are kids involved, as I can fit 8 people in my van...

Infiniti G35. Bare bones model. Fits the "luxury" car for those looking for it without the stereotype of other luxury brands

I was in with my Mechanic this week, getting a front wheel hub/bearing replaced on my Volvo. While there, a woman arrived, white as a sheep, saying that she needs to trade in her SmartCar. I thought it might be that she tired of driving with her face right up against the windshield; but it was something a bit more sinister than that. My Mechanic runs a used car dealership as well as fixing vehicles, so I listened in to the conversation. Here's one of those SmartCars:



The frantic woman had bought the Smart Car last Summer; but hadn't driven it in inclement weather until this month. These cars might get good fuel mileage; but they're lacking a bit in aerodynamics . . . . and when the wind was blowing at 30 miles across the interstate, this woman said her car was pushed right off the road !

She limped back to town driving at less than 25 MPH, terrified of every little gust of wind that wrestled control of her car out of her hands. She wanted to leave the vehicle right there and get my Mechanic to drive her home.

After she had been taken home, we discussed the need for some kind of vehicle that has the same fuel economy as the SmartCar but is perhaps a bit more streamlined, presenting less lateral surface to the wind, thereby resisting its force and enabling it to cut through the air more like a jet fighter . . . . maybe a little something like:
The Smorvettee

Vermont,


Most North American's couldn't squat low enough to climb
into your Smorvette without something going snap crackle
pop.

This smart will kill your creation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teLFxcxQjlY


I'm 6.2 and have tons of room in the Smart Fortwo.

A 62 year old gent in my office drives his Smart each
weekend up to his cottage and has no issues at all. He
also owns a large Mercedes SUV. It's a 2 hour highway
drive and this man is very wealthy.

What I can say is driving as a passenger with my wife is
deeply disturbing.

Maybe this women should learn how to drive.

If you have travelled to a major European city you will
have new appreciation for the Smart Fortwo.

True, some do prefer that European mystique, like they might find in:

A Smorsche



Or, with a little more operational economy:

A Smamborghini !



Some might say that the air foil of a convertible destroys its fuel efficiency; but I kind of like this Smerrari !

Vermont is a dreamer which is wonderful.

Here is a photo of him heading out to inspect
homes like a good diligent agent. Oh, his nickname
is Mad Dog, most of you didn't know this other side
of him. I guess this is to offset his penchant for
driving his Tuk Tuk side saddle even though he doesn't
wear a skirt, kinda feminin but hey what do I know about
driving a Tuk Tuk as I don't live in America.

http://self-preservationsociety.blogspot.com/2007/11/thai-die.html

The scary thing is with the powers that be trying to destroy
the US dollar/America this could well be America's future family auto.

The funny thing is, Smart Cars are a lot more prevalent in Europe, especially in France and Germany, They work fine if all you're doing is driving around the city, but have to be hellish on the Autobahn at 110 kph or on the unlimited parts.

But then, gas in Eurpoe was about $1.30 per litre last Summer, which converted to gallons and American dollars was probably close to $7.25 per gallon (3.875 litres per gallon times $1.875 per litre).

Americans don't know how spoiled they are.

Your math isn't good, last year I rented a Opel Corsa
in Germany, benzene(petrol) was 128 Euro per liter.
That's around $180 US dollars per liter. The US dollar
is falling like a rock so my figures are dated as I
type.

http://www.carsmatch.net/2011/04/opel-corsa-opc-nice-view/

There is a silliness about the Smartfortwo. I assume the attraction is the mileage (what else could it be?) I don't think the mileage is much to write home about.
Fuel economy (MPG): 33 city / 41 highway

Granted these two cars below are inferior in mileage a little, they have room for a soda can and a briefcase and offer a little more safety in terms of a shell. I am not owner of either, but unless you think the SFT will help your business as a unique tag, then I fail to see the appeal.

Mini Cooper 28 City
32 Combined
37 HWAY

Ford Focus
City (MPG) 22 - 27
Highway (MPG) 37

If mileage is really the goal wouldn't you go with a Toyota Prius?

City (MPG) 51
Highway (MPG) 48

Vehicle Disclosure
truck averages about 19 MPH
jeep averages about 22 MPH
suburban averages about 16 MPH

You are missing the whole point of the Smart car, remember being pushed down a hill in a soap box/go cart and the beautiful feeling of being alive. The Smart is a go cart and you will wake up and feel alive while behind the wheel (no matter how young you wife is she cant compete), the years
will peel away from you. The Germans are not dummy's.

Vermont the dreamer, America's future could well be similar
to Amsterdam's and bicycles will be the norm. The trend has
already started with Navawreck riding his bike to work. And
this has nothing to do with his Drinking Under The Influence
Charge that is still in the courts. The honest truth is the
monkey cant afford to drive.

Guilty as charged.