Vehicle question...

[Richard@AAP]

...ok so I'm stuck with a decision to make about which vehicle to purchase. Here are the 2 options:

2004 Ford F150 Lariat Crew Cab, fully loaded to the teeth! Very impressive interior!

-OR-

2004 Mercedes C230 Sedan, fully loaded as well and well....it's a Mercedes!

Granted the f150 is a truck however it has way more room in it than the Mercedes and personally I like the interior better however, the Mercedes is just that, a Mercedes. What kind of impression would you get from both of these if I were your Realtor and pulled up to your property for the first time? Also the Ford has a bonus in that I can advertise my companies logo and information on it as there is more space, as well as on the tailgate where people behind me can see it whereas on the Mercedes space is limited for advertising. What are your opinions?

-Richard

Oh and one other quick item, the Ford gets about 16-17mpg on average with the driving I'd be doing where as the Mercedes upper 20's to low 30's.

[HHI Golf Guy]

What kind of impression would you get from both of these if I were your Realtor and pulled up to your property for the first time?

Considering I live on Hilton Head Island, if you drove up in a pickup I would assume you are a contractor.

However, it doesn't matter what I think or anyone else thinks about this issue. What you need to ask yourself is, "Who are my clients?"

I don't know where you live, but maybe in your community a client might consider an agent driving a Mercedes as "slick" or ostentatious.

Based upon who your clients are and the type of homes you are showing your clients should feel comfortable in your vehicle (I'm talking about emotionally comfortable and not physically comfortable) and not intimidated.

[kensmith]

Good points, but want to add that older clients and short ones have a hard time with tall trucks. I actually have a car and a SUV (Durango) and I take the one that I think will best fit my client.

[HHI Golf Guy]

Good points, but want to add that older clients and short ones have a hard time with tall trucks.

I'm both old and short. I guess that's why I drive a Volvo! :D

[letstalkre]

Well..I would think that showing properties in a c230 would be much easier and there are definately other problems with a large truck. I would personally perceive someone driving a mercedes as more of a business person rather than a contractor or similar.

I personally agree that an SUV would be best suited to all of your needs.

[Ralph]

As another old and short person, I agree with the car. My wife does not like climbing into a truck, probably why we have only had 1 in many years of marriage. If the Merc causes a problem with your clients, get a different make car, but get a car.

[STVP]

What is the population of the city you live in and is it rural. You should be able to make a decision based on those points.

STVP

[Paso Dog]

If you don't want to buy them both get the one that best meets your needs. When I was looking for a new vehicle I too was going back and fourth between a car and a Crew Cab truck. I ended up going with GMC Envoy, but in my area we also show alot of dirt.

[Muscatine Agent]

Go with what you want to drive, and can use personally. I have currently drive a M320, 2003, but I'm trading into a Ridgeline. The Mercedes gets some looks, and people draw assumptions about your success, but I'm going for more utility and under state my success. I have always wondered about the negitive assumptions that people may make about a "fancy" vs. the positive perceptions a car can make.
I like cars, and that's one of the advantages of this profession [drive what you can afford, almost].
Get what fits you!

[Paso Dog]

Muscatine Agent are you in Muscatine Iowa? In 1972 I went to the U.S. Olympic swimming trials in Chicago and camped next to a group of swimmers from Muscatine Iowa.

[famcanter]

I think I will just make one comment..........not knowing where you sell of course......the very first home I bought and this was 30 years ago, the realtor drove up in a caddy, brand new........we were driving a chevette does anybody remember those? I just didn't feel worthy to get in her car :p I was so embarrased....ah what a twit I was in those days.......anyway having said that I sell in Texas so an F150 doesn't raise an eyebrow one, especially down south here, or around the ranches and farms etc......here in San Antonio around town it's mostly SUV's of some variety.....but driving what you can afford always works for me..................of course if I had my druthers......but that's another story

[MileHighAgent.com]

I would personally go with the Mercedes for the gas mileage and the clientele. The Mercedes will attract people who own Mercedes or aspire to own Mercedes and the Ford will do the same.
Putting your name on the vehicle is another issue...what is everyone's thought on putting your name and logo on your vehicle? I have thought about it and decided not to go this route as I didn't like the impression of the lower end Realtor. Has anyone one had success or otherwise with this method of advertising?

[famcanter]

Me again, I don't put my name on my car, hate any kind of logo, bumper sticker whatever on my car...just a personal thing really....I happen to think it looks a bit tacky. I do remember one time I was in the office and somebody called in on their cell phone, a realtor from our office had cut them off on the highway and they were very irate, what was I going to do about it? So sometimes it pays not to advertise. Lots of Realtors I know do however swear by it............Linda

[MileHighAgent.com]

Ah! Thanks so much for pointing that out! I am 500% sure not everyone always loves my driving. Dawn

[HomeSurfer]

Does it go fast? Is it fun to drive? Can you feel the gravel on the road beneath your wheels? Does the exhaust have a throaty yet unobnoxious growl?

Oh.

You want to put customers in it?

Never mind.

[Ralph]

Oh how we digress. As a sports car driver, we have the car we drive and the car we DRIVE. There are only a couple clients that I would take in the car we DRIVE, knowing they would appreciate the trip more than the destination.

[Richard@AAP]

Thanks again for the responses. Well we pretty much made up our mind. For the time being we picked up the truck, everyone that has seen it said they loved it, it's more of a luxurious truck than a work truck. It's bright red like I said and our company logo etc will go on it, usually we wouldn't do the logo but since I'm the owner of the company I feel it helps advertise us, especially with the info on the tailgate.

Secondly, we have 2 houses we are preparing to break ground on and decided that we'll take a portion of the profits from one of the houses and buy the mercedes as well and sell the wife's volvo thus I will have my choice of vehicle depending on who I'm meeting.

Oh and one last thing, to answer some of the questions, we are in western North Carolina. I'll let you all know how much business we get from the advertising on the vehicle.

Thanks again everyone!!!

[MileHighAgent.com]

Congratulations on your decision to buy BOTH! You are a dream for both salespeople (car salespeople)...now somehow if when my clients need to choose between two properties - I could get them to choose BOTH!

[HomeSurfer]

Oh and one last thing, to answer some of the questions, we are in western North Carolina. I'll let you all know how much business we get from the advertising on the vehicle.

Thanks again everyone!!!

Being from Kentucky, I can see how the truck would work.

Not being a Realtor and living in California, I only have the car I DRIVE. I avoided the flashiest. I avoided being the old guy in the sports car. I wanted a "fun" car that looked nice without looking like a sports car or a sedan. 2006 Volkswagen GTI (pause, comma) Modified.

[RI..Consultant]

I would go with the Mercedes. I drive a 2005 Nissan Armanda, and I can not keep the clients away. They believe just because I have this truck, they think I am doing great in business, and that I know what I am doing (I am doing great in sales, and I do know what I am doing). Let the clients think what they want to think.

[Thesa]

believe it or not... I tend to close more deals when I drive our Ram 2500 extended cab with the cummings disel in it.... go figure.

[Shimmer]

my opinion is go get saleen mustang convertible .... nice, smoothh, sharp.... no need to add anything , comes with everything... will be nice choice....:)

[Richard@AAP]

If I was going to get that type of car then I would get something with some real power ;) :D

[renewbie]

I drive an explorer, gets about 16-18 mpg. I spend about $500-$600 on gas per month. does that answer your question!

[BrianChicago]

Thinking back to my client days, I can remember wishing I was being driven around in a Volvo or a Saab.

Between answering the phone, writing things down, pulling papers out of folders and talking to me, the agent didn't spend much time paying attention to the road. Honestly, I would be more comfortable if the agent took me from place to place in a taxi. Let someone else do the driving!

[MileHighAgent.com]

Agreed. Let me guess - you're selling in downtown Chicago!?! I love it! I think I'll buy a limo and hire a full time (no holidays, nights or weekends off) driver. Just any old taxi will not do!

[MileHighAgent.com]

lol - for now I drive the Saab 9.5 with the mega air bag option

[Agent 007]

I am in my 2nd year in the business and I am still driving my 1998 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am! :D I definitely think image matters in this business and that is why I am trying to sell the Trans Am right now. I am looking into getting a newer Chevy Tahoe. I think that I can't go wrong with a Tahoe. It is a great vehicle, looks professional and it is very efficient for real estate. I carry around my open house signs sometimes and I will tell you, there is not much room in my Trans Am to drive around with them at all.

I have managed so far with the car I have, but I am really getting tired of the inconvenience of it. If I do decide to officially sell it, I will seriously miss it. One upside is that people won't look at me like an immature kid anymore, I hope! My car is loud and it's very fast. I guess it doesn't help that I look much younger than I am too. I am a 24 year old guy that looks like maybe 18! People need to start taking me seriously.

Anyway, what do you guys think of a newer Tahoe? Think it looks professional and luxurious at all? It will have leather and some of the options. Thanks.

[ctsee11]

I agree with the Dodge Ram

[Shaul Financial]

I've owned several Mercedes dating back to a 1981 300D. Currently own a S550 and an E55. IMO, Mercedes represent the same visual as a nicely tailored suit. I have always been successful with first impressions and it's within those first few minutes that deals are made or lost. My .03 worth. Keep in mind that the C Klasse is small inside and cramped for more than two.

[Shimmer]

if i were you go with 2004 Mercedes C230 Sedan

:)