What Do You Drive?

[magagent]

For running appointments 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid. On the weekend 2010 Ford F150 Lariat Limited.

I sell 100% over the phone so it doesn't apply anymore to me (Good thing too, because I drive a big Dodge Caravan for the kiddos). But when I used to drive out for sales calls, I drove a Nissan Maxima. I carefully selected that because it was beautiful and classy looking, but didn't make people think I was making a fortune. Basically I wanted my image to be that I was doing well, but not too well. Is that stupid?

 

[jdeasy]

I used to think that way, except the Toyota I bought was made in Kentucky and my Truck before that was a Chevy Silverado built in Mexico.

Assembled in Ky, profits sent back to Japan. I will not own, drive or ride in a foreign vehicle by choice.

I don't just think that way, I live that way. I would not buy foreign made clothing until there was no options. I'm sure the day will come that no autos are made either. As long as americans will buy foreighn goods the companies will continue to ship the manufacuring jobs out of here.

It's getting more and more difficlut to buy US made goods. I had an accident last Nov. A lady ran a stop sign and totaled my Chevy Malibu. Her insurance company was paying for a rental for me. I wouldn't accept anything but an amercian car. It took them 2 days to locate an american car for me. What a shame!

When we were in Maui last month we were going to rent a car for some sightseeing. It took the rental 2 days to round up an american car. Of all places, why would there be japanese autos available in Hawaii?

Anyway, we are getting way off topic. The op asked what we drive. I'm sure he wasn't wanting a discourse on political and social mindsets.

I do think it's important what you show up in if you are doing face to face appointments. The main thing is that it's clean and presentable. You don't want to pull up at someone's house in a junker with duck taped windows or in a vehicle that looks like you have been out mudding in it.

I did have an interesting one once when I went to an appointment in my Chevy double cab dually that I use to pull a horse trailer. My trailer was in the shop in Evansville, In. and I was to pick it up that day. I had one appointment in town, so I drove the truck with the intent of picking up the trailer after the appointment. Turns out the guy I was seeing for the med sup appointment was a truck lover. My truck had graphics, simulators, running boards, etc. and the guy just loved it. We spent about 45 minutes going over my truck and about 15 minutes getting the app. done. That was 4 years ago and the guy still calls me and asks about that truck. I don't even own it anymore as I retired from showing horses a couple of years ago. I might have made that sale that day without the truck, but it helped that time.

 

[sman]

My current driver is a Callaway FT-5, 10 degree loft with a Fujikura stiff shaft. No jokes about my shaft you pervs.

 

[BB16]

A lot of good info in here. I too am only an american car kind of guy. My family worked for GM, and I have a lot of close family/friends that work for american car companies. Those honda's can take a beating but if I bought one so would I haha.

I do go on face to face appointments, but I do a lot over the phone as well. I know appearence isn't everything, and a CTS might be over the top, but at the same time I do want something that looks professional and makes it known that I work hard to get to where I am. I don't want it to come across as being stuck up or how ever you want to word it. I just want to look professional and drive a nice car.

Also, I couldn't agree more with what was said about knowing what I'm selling inside and out. That is my main focus.

Sman- its all about the R11.

 

[WinoBlues]

I'll add - keep the inside clean also. It is not unusual for clients to walk me out. Back when I was on the road a lot I had a client comment on the water bottles and sunflower seeds.

 

[BB16]

I guess I should also add, for those who dont know, I'm a real estate agent as well. So I need to take that into consideration. I think that demographic plays a big roll in all of this. I am in one of the wealthier areas in michigan. 1 out of every 4 cars you pass is some sort of brand new cadillac, mercedes, $50k truck, lexus, new corvettes, porsche, range rover, or something of that nature. Even the occasional lambo, ferrari, aston martin, and audi R8.

The average home price here is just north of $250,000, and unless you live in a hole, you know exactly how Michigans economy is. Ten years ago the AVERAGE price was just over $500,000. I believe you have to take this all into account not only in this profession, but especially on the real estate side. (not to turn this into a real estate thread)

 

[Guest]

2008 Ford F350

 

[Newby]

Assembled in Ky, profits sent back to Japan. I will not own, drive or ride in a foreign vehicle by choice.

JD, my Ford Edge was "assembeled" in a foreign country (Canada) and was not considered a domestic car. It was an import. However it said Ford on it so I guess some of the company's profits (if there are any) comes back to Ford in the US.

My Subaru Outback was completely manufactured in Indiana (or "assembled" if that sounds less important.) It was considered a domestic car.

I prefer to support the American workers rather than where the company headquarters sits. There are thousands of american factory workers who lose their jobs when Ford ships these "assembly" plants out of the country. And there are thousands of American factory workers who gain jobs when foreign companies build factories here and invest in America. And none of those workers mail their paycheck to Japan or China or Mexico from what I see.

I don't think paying more attention to the name badge does as much good as buying American made goods. Just ask the Indiana Whirlpoole workers who just lost their jobs if Whirlepoole is still American made.

I know that you pay attention and buy AMerican Made as well as an American Nameplate on your cars. But you have to admit that a Toyota made in Indiana does more for our economy than a Ford made in Canada or Australia.

I'm done with my rant.

 

[arnguy]

A Yugo. They feel sorry for me and it is an incentive for them to buy insurance from me.

 

[jdeasy]

JD, my Ford Edge was "assembeled" in a foreign country (Canada) and was not considered a domestic car. It was an import. However it said Ford on it so I guess some of the company's profits (if there are any) comes back to Ford in the US.

My Subaru Outback was completely manufactured in Indiana (or "assembled" if that sounds less important.) It was considered a domestic car.

I prefer to support the American workers rather than where the company headquarters sits. There are thousands of american factory workers who lose their jobs when Ford ships these "assembly" plants out of the country. And there are thousands of American factory workers who gain jobs when foreign companies build factories here and invest in America. And none of those workers mail their paycheck to Japan or China or Mexico from what I see.

I don't think paying more attention to the name badge does as much good as buying American made goods. Just ask the Indiana Whirlpoole workers who just lost their jobs if Whirlepoole is still American made.

I know that you pay attention and buy AMerican Made as well as an American Nameplate on your cars. But you have to admit that a Toyota made in Indiana does more for our economy than a Ford made in Canada or Australia.

I'm done with my rant.

I don't have to do any justifying for my american cars and trucks. One does have to try and justify their buying of foreign crap.