Does the car you drive really make a difference to your business? I guess it depends on who you ask.
When I first started, I drove a Mustang 5.0. It was hot! I still recognize the sound of them rumbling down the street.
Warren’s girlfriend, one of my first buyer clients, hated it. She had to sit in the back – he was too tall to smash himself back there – besides he was the client.
Later I traded the Mustang for a more practical 2000 Explorer – AKA the lumbering beast – which I still drive. When drivers ride up on me while I’m maneuvering a tight turn, I shout out to them: This is a truck! It doesn’t grab the turns, it rolls to the outside of them.
During my best year ever, I leased a convertible BMW 325. Another hot car. It really only fit two people but it’s a beautiful machine. A few months ago, I had a listing in a hoity-toity neighborhood. Because the Explorer is more practical, I drive it more frequently. I had met the buyer’s agent several times while driving it. For some reason, she was really rude and condescending to me. It really bugged me. She wore velvet pants and drove a Land Rover. I decided to test her. I pulled up to the property inspection in the Beemer, top down and all. Not so amazingly, she changed her tune.
Well, the beast is running out of time. I’ve been looking around. 
The Charger is really cool, but I need an SUV. I haven’t driven the Durango but that’s a nice looking vehicle too. I think about the hybrids. I have clients who drive them. But I love the sound of flow masters. Can you get those on a hybrid?
Benn Rosales
October 18, 2007 at 4:54 am
I’ve seen folks in bmws, caddys, and the like. It’s true what they say, it’s all about the shoes. If you’re sporting a nice car, crappy shoes, a bic pen, a target timex, then the writing is on the wall- you aren’t what you drive. To me, it really is the total package. If someone drives a practical car, but they are well tailored, I’ll believe them more to be successful and good at what they do. I really do think tho that the bmw probably gave you a certain confidence she could not deny. I say hey, if it works. Have you thought about the murano? They corner well, look savvy, and ride like a dream… not to shabby on the gas either.
Vicki Moore
October 18, 2007 at 6:34 am
You are a wise one, Obi-Wan Kenobi.
I tried the Murano. It’s super. Only one problem- the seat pan is too long. Or I guess you could say the problem is my legs are too short.
Benn Rosales
October 18, 2007 at 1:44 pm
There’s always a mini-cooper =]
Eric W. Gage
October 18, 2007 at 4:57 pm
I think this is so true and a conversation just recently had with another realtor friend. I have a PR background and believe presentation is what it’s all about. That is why I bought a Mercedes last year. It’s all about presentation and how you want to be portrayed. I wanted it, earned and love it! Though, I am always asked since I drive a Mercedes if I am a trust fund baby since I am only 29yo! That really irks me…NO…I spend my money on real estate and not in the bars like most of my peers. I did it all on my own with a government salary! So, get what you want and what makes you feel good. Make sure your bank account can afford it, you look good and put your foot to the pedal and drive like nobody’s business! Great post!!! Oh..if you want a Dodge, Chrysler or Jeep and don’t mind driving to Dallas let me know–I can get you a good deal there!
Chris Lengquist
October 18, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Ah, how I love the shallowness of it all. It’s not performance that matters. It’s style. Always has been…sadly.
Vicki Moore
October 18, 2007 at 5:54 pm
After all the serious talk about NAR and blogging, I decided to take it down a notch. We all need mindless chit-chat once in a while.
I love the Mini, btw. But I treat my car like a second apartment. I don’t think both me and my dog could fit at the same time.
Hey Eric – My family lives in Dallas. I might fly out and drive back! What I get concerned about with the Mercedes is that when people get envious – like you described – they get mean.
Ken Smith
October 18, 2007 at 11:17 pm
I opted for the Durango when we had my daughter (less then 2 years ago) and have only had issues. Worse the dealers (have tried 3) can never seem to figure out what is wrong with the truck without keeping it for days on end and then needing us to bring it back after the parts come in. I can’t figure out why I went with a Dodge…will not make that mistake again.
Benn Rosales
October 18, 2007 at 11:33 pm
You can say that for almost any car maker. I have a friend with a lemon bmw.
Athol Kay
October 19, 2007 at 12:19 am
Saturn Ion here.
“Nothing but car.”
Daniel Rothamel
October 19, 2007 at 2:23 am
I wrote about BMW for my Blog Action Post. You should love whatever you drive. While I don’t think that you can define someone by their car, it does say something about them, just like clothing.
Benn Rosales
October 20, 2007 at 2:20 am
Okay, I’ve got the car for you, practical, yet sporty, yet, sexy when it’s loaded- how about the volvo xc90?
Vicki Moore
October 20, 2007 at 4:48 am
I agree. And safe too.
Sandy
October 22, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Acura MDX. Best real estate car ever. Nice, but not flashy. Performs well. Is an SUV but gets decent mileage (mine averages 18 mpg) and is an ultra-low-emissions-vehicle (ULEV). Has a great, non-truck-like ride and Honda quality. Very cheap on the maintenance.
You can pull up in front of any house and drive around with any client in the MDX. I think they make it in a hybrid now too. Volvo XC90 would have been my second choice but the ULEV thing was a the clincher for me. I wanted something that didn’t make me feel like an ecoterrorist.
Vicki Moore
October 22, 2007 at 7:19 pm
MDX is definitely high on the list. I like the ecoterrorist point. It’s not easy to be pc all the time. 🙂