agree with your brother. I lease and turn in every three years so that I can always be driving a new vehicle. When I pull up to a customer’s building where they can see me or take them out to lunch with me, I want them to know that we are successful and can be trusted to fulfill their printing needs long term. Pulling in in my husband’s 1997 Saturn would portray financial weakness in my opinion. I have never believed in the, “Oh, she must be charging me too much for my printing” mantra. I don’t go extravagant, new Ford Edge, but I do look good, and so does my printing!

For the most part, you won’t be judged so much on what you drive as much as the condition, if you are taking somebody out. I say “for the most part” because if you are at either end of the spectrum, you WILL be judged on what you’re driving. A new Lincoln Town Car, or Hummer? This guy/company is making too much money on me. An ‘85 Reliant K wagon? Definitely unprofessional.

For crying out loud, though, don’t start tossing the McDonald’s bags in the back and wiping the passenger seat just before your client gets in!

P.S. — I know of one salesman who had to buy a GM product because the company he was visiting was in a small town whose biggest employer was General Motors, and the union looked unfavorably on anybody who was “disloyal.”

What Clete says rings true. Clients want to be comfortable and feel safe if you’re driving them around, and a dentless, fast food less, vehicle wins over a high priced sporty car that has dents and dings and worse, full of yesterday’s (or before) leftovers and their smells.

More and more, too, clients are respecting environmental factors so driving a huge SUV is not as popular as a hybrid of some sort (and they’re not cheap!)

Myself, I just got a gorgeous used Buick LeSabre, for very little money and with low mileage and clean as a whistle interior and exterior. So what if it looks like my ‘grandmother’s’ car… it’s distinctive and safe. There might also be the reminscent factor of riding in a more moderate vehicle that one had when one was living with parents and being adequately cared for.

Thanks for asking.

In addition to the customers, employees see a new car and think 'gee, now would be a good time to fart off and get paid for it if the boss isn't giving me a raise but gets a good car...', or exactly as posted, but viewed by the employees: "nice ride. you must be rich." Since when did they have to figure out how to pay that mortgage, that car note, or those taxes on thier salaries?

Good for you Bill. How many people drive around in a paid for car these days? I also drive around in a Volvo (good choice on your part) with a ton of miles. It's paid for, it's mine and I take care of it. My customers often ask me about my car and many have been in it. Did you ever notice the really well off drive around in older cars? I wonder what Warren Buffet drives