Our Cars

[James Greg]

Hi all,

I have to go to meet clients to discuss business proposals and attend meetings regarding business. I have a Honda civic 2005 model. It runs fine and I'm satisfied by it. I don't like to change on every new model launched, of course after driving it for 6 years it doesn't look in mint condition but its fine for me, but my friend suggests we should keep it upgraded as clients judge our business standards according to our cars. He keeps a new model every year but I think its wasting money.

What are your views on this? Is it a fashion to keep a new car or is it just plain necessity.

 

[GraemeL]

I today's climate a new car may well be seen as ostentatious. Conveniently, mine is not new.

 

[Iris_clothing]

Hi all,

I have to go to meet clients to discuss business proposals and attend meetings regarding business. I have a Honda civic 2005 model. It runs fine and I'm satisfied by it. I don't like to change on every new model launched, of course after driving it for 6 years it doesn't look in mint condition but its fine for me, but my friend suggests we should keep it upgraded as clients judge our business standards according to our cars. He keeps a new model every year but I think its wasting money.

What are your views on this? Is it a fashion to keep a new car or is it just plain necessity.

Just be yourself, clients judge our business standards according to our Ability.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

If it is so important - both go in your colleagues car?

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

I today's climate a new car may well be seen as ostentatious. Conveniently, mine is not new.

I agree - I think people see past that now.

It does no harm for it to look clean and tidy but I certainly wouldn't worry at all about the age/model etc.

 

Hi all,

I have to go to meet clients to discuss business proposals and attend meetings regarding business. I have a Honda civic 2005 model. It runs fine and I'm satisfied by it. I don't like to change on every new model launched, of course after driving it for 6 years it doesn't look in mint condition but its fine for me, but my friend suggests we should keep it upgraded as clients judge our business standards according to our cars. He keeps a new model every year but I think its wasting money.

What are your views on this? Is it a fashion to keep a new car or is it just plain necessity.

Buying a new car each year is personal indulgence, nothing more.

Some clients will judge on a car - if it's too flash that will reflect on you, if it's particularly tatty they might judge you on that. A medium aged 'vanilla' car in reasonable condition will never offend. To be on the safe side, get out a tin of car wax and perhaps even invest in a personalised reg number. Oh - and an error I've made more than once - pick up the sandwich and pasty wrappers from the floor - they might want a lift!

 

[GraemeL]

Just be yourself, clients judge our business standards according to our Ability.

Thats why there are no idiots running businesses!

 

[Dollybean]

Is your friend a car salesman perchance? IMHO, if you're happy with your car what does it matter? Surely you are being judged by what your company can offer and your ability, not by how you arrive at the meeting?

Reminds me of back in the day when my dad started out and went to pitch for his first large contract from a major company - he went in the family car (which was a banger) - the competition arrived by helicopter. He got the contract and it taught me (a wee nipper at the time) a valuable life lesson.

 

[Paul Norman]

This subject crops up from time to time. The facts are these.

1. Some people judge you on your car. And your suit. Or not having a suit. Or your address. Chase their approval if you have unlimited money.
2. Some people do not.
3. Buy a new car if you want one, and can afford one. Do not be put off by people in either direction.
4. The comment above about clearing out your car is valid. Do not have a dustbin with an engine, just in case! Well, don't anyway, because it is disgusting!

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Thats why there are no idiots running businesses!

Not so sure about that!

 

[FE]

I would say 3-4 year turnaround on cars. Take away financial implications of maintenance etc but what in my experience people look at is:

Duty of Care - staff driving vehicles over 4 years arriving at clients does not in my opinion give the right impression as to duty of care (not saying any difference i am saying impression)

Enviromental - so much has changed with CO2 emissions on vehicles in the last 4-5 years

FE

 

[OldWelshGuy]

the more important factor is the condition of the car IMO. If it is dirty then it will create a bad impression. I have in the past driven some right bangers, but if I was goign to see a client I always made sure the care was washed and clean.

 

[garyk]

Why not park round the corner?

As said having a new expensive motor *can* reflect as badly as an old one. Just park out of sight then you remove the issue.

Gary

 

[Scousejock]

As stated a new high end car can cause as much of a bad impression.

Some people do look at success by what car you are driving but these tend to be other sales reps instead of clients.

I personally am not a fan of cars (they get me from A to B) so I dont waste too much money on cars but I always try to keep them clean and respectable when visiting clients. I would much rather spend money on a new motorbike than a new car but thats just my personal opinion. And I have even visited some clients on one of my bikes, it is unusual but it helps them remember me.

I would much rather a client uses us based on our knowledge and service and not what we drive. I bet I have lost the odd client along the way because I wasnt driving a brand new 7 series but I probably gained some that I would have lost if I had turned up in the 7 series.

 

[Martin C]

I think it depends on how you use it. Is it really in need?

 

[Mark_J]

Wouldn't leasing work out cheaper and easier if you wanted to have a brand spanking new car every 18 or so months to impress shallow clients with?

 

the more important factor is the condition of the car IMO. If it is dirty then it will create a bad impression. I have in the past driven some right bangers, but if I was goign to see a client I always made sure the care was washed and clean.

Absolutely ,vehciles should be kept as clean as ones office.

Earl

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

Absolutely ,vehciles should be kept as clean as ones office.

Earl

Arriving in that would certainly make an impression

 

[Scousejock]

people would remember you. not sure if that would be a good thing or not though

 

[swiftpete]

Get a personalised plate with the business name initials then the age won't matter as long as you keep it clean.

 

[Somecamel]

Oh - and an error I've made more than once - pick up the sandwich and pasty wrappers from the floor - they might want a lift!

Happened to me ha ha

 

[cjd]

Happy medium is generally best; not new, not old. Not flash and expensive and not cheap and horrible.

But general rules only work generally, if your client is a young, male Arab prince you may want to arrive in something different than if you're selling fish door to door.

As it happens I think that you're probably both wrong - your car needs a bit of an update and your partner needs to stop spending your cash on insane first year depreciation. 3 years is fine.

 

[smo]

I'd agree with most sentiments already made, no bangers as they dont create the right impression but also gone are the days of needing a brand new car every year, many see it as a waste and just look and think "flash pr*ck" and look at you as someone who is just after looks and wastes money.....car salesman types!!!!

Personally I drive a car which suits my needs, its a large family estate with car seat in the back, I have roof bars on top for my Kayak and all manner of rubbish in the boot (coats, clothes, drysuit etc.) - I do try and keep the front clean especially if i go and meet clients which thankfully is rare, and on those occasions its always washed first too

 

[Mike tells it like it is]

Why not just hire something corporate looking for the day if you think it will make a difference.

Personally a golf or focus kept clean and tidy in a conservative colour-black silver or dark blue will be fine.

Just don't get one of those god awful 1 series things-goodness me they are awful if you must have aBMW just do the business thing and get a 320d.

 

[which_08]

Just be yourself, clients judge our business standards according to our Ability.

I have to stick my ore in here,

First I have to say i DONT agree with this , but i am telling you based on my experience.

Having an older car can damage your business , can stop you getting new clients its terrible but true people do look at your appearance from your suit to your teeth hair , nails and yes your car.

I learnt this lesson as in the early days I had a 7 year old astra and was loving it but the more my business grew the bigger the contracts,

I had an appointment in a very affluent area I google mapped it and decided NO WAY was i driving my car in this area full of mercs, audi's etc... So i hired a car and i cannot believe the impact i parked on their drive which was like a car park ,and even when we were leaving we were talking by the cars,

I wanted this person to part with their money and they will only do that if they trust its safe, the truth is most start up business people with nice cars are either up to their eyes in debt or struggling to meet a minimum payment, but its just a sub conscious process our brain takes us through many judge cars especially when parting with money.

 

[which_08]

I wanted this person to part with their money and they will only do that if they trust its safe, the truth is most start up business people with nice cars are either up to their eyes in debt or struggling to meet a minimum payment, but its just a sub conscious process our brain takes us through many judge cars especially when parting with money.

Oh and yes I got and have the contract,

Please let me just back track a bit , i also think dont be to flash with your car it can have the opposite effect unless you really do have the bank balance to back it up and your known for your millions etc,

I have a 7 seater Vauxhall Zafira now as i have kids its perfect ! before this i had insignia , 10 plate , that in 'my opinion' is more than enough. however i wouldn't mind an Audi ha.

 

[which_08]

Happened to me ha ha

Oh me to !"!

Its only around the corner, shall we go in your car !!

OMG .... let me just get the macdonalds wrappers out oh and all the kids junk , i could have died, my business partner hopped in the back thankfully from that day on my car is spotless ! ! ( who am i kidding ) ... ok when i think someone might be getting in then its spotless lol

 

[RepairYourBubble]

I agree with Which_08, I have to visit my clients at Home, the first impression makes a big difference...especially Image. Plus most of my clients are male so we instantly talk about cars which equals rapport which is priceless.

I only drive a 2003 Mercedes SLK32, always kept clean and for a sub 10k car its not way too expensive either.

I think its all down to the profession, if you hire a builder for example you wouldnt expect him in a suit and a flash car, id expect them to arrive in work clothes etc...which they do from what ive seen.

 

[Craigaroo]

Private number plates can make you look unprofessional IMO

Standard issue plates, on a low key car, kept clean and preferably no more than 4 years old is what I would choose if I had to go visiting clients.

 

[which_08]

Private number plates can make you look unprofessional IMO

Standard issue plates, on a low key car, kept clean and preferably no more than 4 years old is what I would choose if I had to go visiting clients.

Why SO ?

I am interested to hear your thoughts as I am looking at private plates, it would demonstrate you own the car which has to be a positive it shows you are creative , decent plates are not cheap so client see that your not on the bones of your ass, well they think it despite whether you are or not.

I dont thin RUD18OY would work but maybe your company name,

I am very interested in your perception.

 

[Scott-Copywriter]

Why not park round the corner?

As said having a new expensive motor *can* reflect as badly as an old one. Just park out of sight then you remove the issue.

Gary

Exactly. If you're worried for any reason, just park it around the corner or anywhere out of sight. They never have to see your car.

 

[cody44]

Know the feeling and it can be embarrassing!!!

My ex girlfriend recently got hold of my car and destroyed it. I still have to turn up for meetings in it and it really does my credibility no good.

If I can I will park it round the corner. I have it booked in for a re-spray but that wont be till next Monday!!!

 

[James Greg]

Just be yourself, clients judge our business standards according to our Ability.

Well said I agree to it too.

Is your friend a car salesman perchance?

No my friend is really a businessman dealing in textile, but he sure keeps those flashy cars with great horse power.

Why not park round the corner?

As said having a new expensive motor *can* reflect as badly as an old one. Just park out of sight then you remove the issue.

Gary

Well sometimes it happens that I might need to give a lift to the client.

pick up the sandwich and pasty wrappers from the floor - they might want a lift!

That's true I encountered this embarrassing moment once and from then my car is at least free of wrappers.

Just be yourself, clients judge our business standards according to our Ability.

That's also true. But I still think all these flashy things do make an impact nowadays. Carrying an expensive smartphone and wearing branded clothing, people do greet you heartily when you are well dressed and stepping out of a Ferrari.

 

[James Greg]

Know the feeling and it can be embarrassing!!!

My ex girlfriend recently got hold of my car and destroyed it. I still have to turn up for meetings in it and it really does my credibility no good.

If I can I will park it round the corner. I have it booked in for a re-spray but that wont be till next Monday!!!

LOL She must have been really upset

 

[cody44]

LOL She must have been really upset

Yes, she got upset! I didnt open the car door for her so she ditched me! I suppose I panicked and just swam to the surface!!!!

 

[Emcar Vending]

It depends on what your business is.

My customers are only too pleased to see me arrive to sort out their problems. They don't care what I arrive in, which is currently a scruffy 1971 MGB GT.

 

Know the feeling and it can be embarrassing!!!

My ex girlfriend recently got hold of my car and destroyed it. I still have to turn up for meetings in it and it really does my credibility no good.

If I can I will park it round the corner. I have it booked in for a re-spray but that wont be till next Monday!!!

Word to the wise when she asks 'does my bum look big in this?' the truth is not the best policy..

 

[Deleted member 122319]

Someone earlier made the point it was like wearing a suit. For an initial meeting, wearing conventional business dress shows you "know the rules" and that you understand how to behave. If you get there and they're all in whacky skater gear or whatever, then you can relax. I often have meetings with university staff and you can see that the minute someone becomes a professor they go and buy a suit!

The same goes for a car - if you arrive in a brand new Beemer/merc/manhood substitute and you find a car park full of priuses (prii?) then you are going to look pretty stupid. as many have said, unless you're a chauffeur I doubt that your clients are going to see what you rock up in.

 

[Inspiredtoact]

A clean older car, gives off a much better impression than a dirty new car