Would You Judge Business Owners/Professionals Based on The Cars They Drive?

supervigilante on 27/05/2015 - 10:48
Last edited 28/05/2015 - 13:32

Recently my friends and I were debating about this topic.

Argument 1: You will judge the businesses/professionals based on the cars they drive. If they drive luxury/expensive cars, you would think negatively of them because they are getting large profits from your purchase to buy themselves expensive cars.

Argument 2: You will judge the businesses/professionals based on the cars they drive. If they drive luxury/expensive cars, you would think positively of them because they have many customers and they are very good at doing their job.

Argument 3: You will not judge the businesses/professionals based on the cars they drive.

What do you think?

EDIT: Thanks for all your comments! + for everyone!

Education & Work

Comments

    • KaTst3R on 27/05/2015 - 19:47
      +1

      98 Civic tricked out can also cost alot of money to be honest and still drive faster than some of those modern day "luxury" cars.

      • [Deactivated] on 27/05/2015 - 19:54
        +2

        I suppose you can squeeze a 6.3L AMG if you took out the back seats and move the fuel tank to the front.

        • tonyjzx on 27/05/2015 - 20:22
          +5

          '98 civics command a premium before race wars

    • microsnot on 27/05/2015 - 20:26
      +2

      I'd upgrade to something newer just for the safety improvements. :)

    • OzBestDeal on 28/05/2015 - 00:00
      +1

      is it gold plated or diamond encrusted?

    • Randxyz123 on 28/05/2015 - 10:27
      +2

      Sorry that is stupid.

      If he can afford to why not drive something with a few more safety features. Either that or you are bullshitting.

      • [Deactivated] on 28/05/2015 - 19:40
        +1

        You're implying I am stupid. You fail to see the reasoning of others.

        I wish you well in all your endeavors.

        • Randxyz123 on 29/05/2015 - 09:39
          +1

          I'm not implying you are stupid.

          I'm saying I cannot think of one reason for your "colleague" keeping a 98 civic if his networth is 8 figures. If the car has significance to him ™ then if his networth really is that much he can afford to keep it and run a decent car for his daily.

          I could understand if he wasn't interested in cars and didnt want a Lamborginhi.

      • Peanut money on 29/05/2015 - 09:18
        +3

        Maybe the rich guys mrs wants him to drive it hoping she ends up with all the moolah when a truck turns him into a sandwich

    • tdw on 29/05/2015 - 00:39
      +1

      Secure and ambitious men/women couldn't care less about a tin can that they spend an hour a day in.

      not occur to you that perhaps they just aren't car enthusiasts?

    • [Deactivated] on 31/05/2015 - 08:15
      +1

      I disagree. I spend a lot of time in cars travelling to and from airports, business meetings, conferences etc. It makes a big difference what car I am in. It is a personal matter and we are all different. Whether we are rich and successful is relatively unimportant; it just gives us the means if we desire it.

  • Mad Max on 27/05/2015 - 20:18
    +5

    Buy the cheapest car your ego can afford.
    Can't remember who said it, but it makes sense to me.

    • momov3 on 28/05/2015 - 20:14
      +3

      Do you mean to say 'buy the cheapest car your ego will allow'?

  • celiotte on 28/05/2015 - 01:16
    +1

    If you don't mind, maybe driving a mid-range car that is just practical like a Toyota Camry or something might do the trick !

    • fillit on 28/05/2015 - 09:06
      -4

      I wouldn't consider a Camry to be mid ranged, perhaps something more like an IS250, 3 Series BMW or Audi A4 to be a mid ranged car.

  • porsche26c on 28/05/2015 - 08:43
    +3

    I hate when people comment about my car/holiday i took. im a dentist and when a patient said my cost of treatment paid for my car (i drive an audi a1 lol), i say no. it paid for your crown, my car was paid by hard work and a 100k uni debt.

    i never judge people by their car unless their real estate agents or drug dealers lol

    • Dominic on 28/05/2015 - 10:02
      +2

      People comment on an A1? They start at like $25k lol

      • porsche26c on 28/05/2015 - 10:24
        +1

        mainly holidays lol. most people dont know what i drive but they just assume its expensive.

        • scotty on 28/05/2015 - 13:34
          +6

          With a username such as porsche26c of course people will assume it's expensive :)

    • alterego13 on 28/05/2015 - 12:27

      Off topic
      …unless They're or they are real estate agents….. Just saying ;)
      Of course one's ability to use correct grammar or spelling should not be judged on their professional ability in their respective field, unless they're an author.
      On topic,
      In an ideal world I would prefer no judgement on appearance. In today's highly judgemental society though, is a different story. As meny have said above, everything in moderation would be acceptable and of course based on the product/service.

      • memeh on 28/05/2015 - 14:56
        +8

        Off topic

        Who's meny?

        • alterego13 on 28/05/2015 - 17:07
          +1

          Men, (y) do u ask? :P

          Seriously though, ran out of time to edit.
          +1 for being my type! ;)

    • [Deactivated] on 28/05/2015 - 20:23
      +1

      Most of the higher grossing medical practitioners I know drive more humble cars to work. Never pull out the Ferrari in front of a patient, most will assume that you overcharge.

      Double standards. When bankers, lawyers and most other corporate players drive exotic cars, it's considered "baller" (do the "street-wise" people still use that word?). When surgeons drive a half decent car, the media cries murder. I recall an article sometime ~2005 that attacked public surgeons because they are paid 250,000pa when teachers were paid only a quarter of that (article was in relation to teacher's strike). A surgeon taking a 250,000pa salary is basically doing charity work.

      • momov3 on 28/05/2015 - 20:33
        +1

        I think it's more like $2-$3m nowadays with shortages and a cap on trainees. Why didn't I listen to my ma and pa and become a doctor?

  • noshopping on 28/05/2015 - 08:47
    +5

    It's natural for humans to judge. We've used this technique to survival on the African plains for hundreds of thousands of years. Within the first 30 seconds of meeting someone, you would of already made dozens of assumptions of that person based on their race, what they wear, how they compose themselves, what they drive, and so forth.

  • ChickenTalon on 28/05/2015 - 09:00
    +2

    Depends on what you're doing and who you're dealing with.

    People will judge a person based on car, facial expression and appearance. If you're meeting financial adviser and you combine a flashy car with an un-trustworthy "sly" face and you'll be immediately suspicious. But that same person arriving neatly dressed with a "considered/alert expression" in a cheaper luxury car or mid-range car might encourage trust.

    If you really want to get into the importance of appearance and how we make judgments in the first fraction of a second when we see someone then have a read of Blink It's a great read.

    • momov3 on 29/05/2015 - 14:12
      +1

      But god forbid and pity the person who is born with a 'sly' face!
      Sad to say (with women at least), research has shown the ones with good looks and not necessarily the better work skills and intelligence, get jobs more easily than the less aesthetically blessed ones.

  • fillit on 28/05/2015 - 09:00
    +3

    It's dependant on the type of job you do.

    As a professional, where I have to go out to meet clients most days of the week, I need something presentable (where clients would feel comfortable getting in) you don't want to be driving a 2 door Yaris and asking 3 clients to climb into to back. Whether it's a full blown luxury car or not I don't think they really care, it's mostly how well you maintain it, cleanliness inside and out.

    Also most people who get luxury cars are on commercial loans, claim back depreciation and kms travelled, as naturally they "should" be on an income which would justify such a purchase.

    • Davros on 28/05/2015 - 13:26
      +3

      In the 90's I had a job in sales writing 6 figure contracts with clients included major miners, law firms, accountants etc.
      I often had to collect clients and take than out to lunch and sometimes into dinner to sweeten the deal.
      I always used a private driver with a prestige car, it worked out more affordable and more convenient than leasing or buying one.
      I did the same with our meetings, using an upmarket restaurant for lunch and then signing the deal was more affordable than buying or leasing office space for that twice a month meeting.

      • [Deactivated] on 28/05/2015 - 20:26
        +2

        Ahhh. Your story reminds me of my aunt. She doesn't earn in those figures, but the company has a fleet of BMWs for the employees to use as they see fit. She would go for the crappiest after she learnt she was obliges to ferry VIP clients. No VIP would get in her car ;)

      • momov3 on 28/05/2015 - 20:38
        -2

        Sounds like a glam job,what could be better than getting all the sweeteners at the expense of a company. I'm sure you made a tidy pile yourself. How come so you're on Oz Bargain! Did you lose it all? Assuming that OzBargain is for cheapskates or those seeking to live more cheaply. :):) :)

        • [Deactivated] on 29/05/2015 - 00:07
          +3

          Does OZB actually saves anyone money? It makes me spend more on things I have never remotely imagined I may possibly need in the most isolated of niche instances - huh?

        • Davros on 29/05/2015 - 06:34
          +3

          "How come so you're on Oz Bargain! Did you lose it all?"

          I am on Oz bargain because a dollar saved is a dollar earned
          I didn't get to retire well before pension age by throwing money away.

          And no, it wasn't a glam job, far from it but it did serve a purpose and it served me well.

        • fillit on 29/05/2015 - 09:54
          +1

          I use ozbargain to buy stuff that I always wanted to get but need that little push to get it over the line, I try to refrain from buying frivolous items..

        • momov3 on 29/05/2015 - 13:36
          +1

          @tshow: Time for a name change, OzBinge maybe.

    • umoddbro on 28/05/2015 - 21:50
      +1

      Are you a gigolo?

  • Frank Murphy on 28/05/2015 - 09:02
    +3

    I hadn't thought about it before, but it appears I would judge.
    I saw a recent model HSV Maloo ute, and plastered all over it was signage of a financial advice business.
    I remember thinking to myself that I'd hardly want some revhead bogan telling me what to do with my money!

    • momov3 on 28/05/2015 - 10:36
      +2

      Nowadays professionals are judged by the houses they live in especially if you happen to have a home office. I remember many years ago wanting to see a financial advisor working for a large wealth corporation company and working from home. But we happened to drive by his home address which was a little not so nice looking house. The first thought that came to my mind was that if he could not make enough wealth for himself to live in a decent looking house, how would he be able to do the same for customers? Unkind assumption right, but 'first impressions' mode kicked in and we didn't use his business.

      • Davros on 28/05/2015 - 13:29
        +2

        If he was so good as a financial adviser why was he still doing it is more what I would be thinking.
        Surely if he was so good at making money he would be on a yacht with a stripper pole snorting cocaine off of a hookers arse.

        • Knightelf on 28/05/2015 - 19:52
          +2

          How would you know if he didn't have a few hundred k sitting in an investment account?

          The only way you can judge someone is by track record and performance.

        • momov3 on 28/05/2015 - 20:25
          +1

          Which means to assume all the financial advisers who are still in business haven't made their pile yet and are not so good? Hence cannot retire on a yacht and snort cocaine?! I don't think so. I'm sure many of them are super wealthy but still working in the industry so as to get wealthier. Anyway, they are financial serial killers. I don't trust any of them and will manage myself until I need advice for retirement. Everything you make, they want a take. They are like real estate agents. You kind of dislike them but need them nevertheless.

        • momov3 on 28/05/2015 - 20:42
          +2

          @Knightelf: That's the problem you see. Unfair judgement precludes us from finding out the truth because we were not interested beyond that point. This is why outward 'professional image' can play havoc depending on the person perceiving it. Yes, and for all we know and have lost valuable service by, he may very well have been just the right person for us and would have been a great adviser. But we never found out because we didn't want to know further.

  • leiiv on 28/05/2015 - 10:19
    +2

    What about those who do not own car (ie use public transport). How would you judge them?

    • jelko on 28/05/2015 - 19:37

      I would think something was wrong with them. Unless you live in a city like NYC where everything is close by then you need a car. Somebody living in Australia without a car is unthinkable.

    • tdw on 29/05/2015 - 15:22
      +1

      i'd think they were brilliantly resourceful.

      i knew of a few people without cars. way before uber, when people got along just fine by taking public transport, cycling and walking.

      perhaps they find it more cost effective to not have a car (economists and accountants, i'm looking at you ;) or live inner city so don't even need one. would be laughable to call them strange

    • driew on 30/05/2015 - 22:50
      +1

      It would depend on other factors, e.g. where they live, if they had a family, etc.

      I have a few friends that don't own a car because they live inner city.

      Owning a car is a massive expense.

  • patinadiary on 28/05/2015 - 10:20
    +1

    Cars no doubt create an impression whether you are a real estate agent trying to get a listing or a soccer mom sitting sipping skinny lattes with her pals at a cafe.

    IMO the type of car you buy somewhat speaks about your personality too and its got little to do with cost of the car you can afford.

    For e.g. I'd have a very different impression of a RE agent if turned up to my house in a canary yellow Lamborghini as against an somber S Class. The latter would say he's successful but doesn't feel the need his car to tell the whole world about it. (Taste despite Success)

    Another e.g. would be if a tradie showed up on site in sports car to quote for a job, had he showed up in a latest Maloo. (Practicality over Success)

  • [Deactivated] on 28/05/2015 - 10:26
    +9

    One of the guys at university works full-time and drives an old Volkswagen. He is the heir to a multi-billion dollar Chinese fortune.
    So no, I don't judge them.
    The people with REAL money don't always like to show off. The middle class likes to show off.

    • momov3 on 28/05/2015 - 10:37
      +5

      Like the saying 'empty barrel makes the most noise' can be true sometimes.

    • konazz on 29/05/2015 - 12:35
      +1

      It does seem like it. I knew someone at school, who i found out later that their parents were in the BRW 200. They drove to school in an old (but nice) falcon. Mum had something similar vanilla, and they had a 100 series 4WD… which was fine as they lived on a property in NW Sydney.

      • momov3 on 29/05/2015 - 14:27
        +1

        OMG - how does one end up in the BRW 200 and manage to hide it from their kids! I cannot even win $50 from Tattslotto with the family not knowing and wink wink nod nod 'it's your turn to treat'.

        • konazz on 29/05/2015 - 18:26
          +1

          They were super paranoid about showing their wealth, as they didn't want to risk kidnapping + ensuring the boys had a normal upbringing.

          It never really dawned on me the reason my friend and his brother had a separate wing to the house (connected by a 2nd story walkway), where we did band practice + tennis court, volley ball court and heated outdoor swimming pool. We never really noticed that there was no adult/family stuff in the bit that we chilled out in (about 250m2 across 2 levels).

  • vroomkroom on 28/05/2015 - 10:32
    +1

    My granddad once told me he will pay more for a car if the maintenance/running cost is cheap. The time has come with Tesla and really wanting to get my hands on this !! But the truth is cannot afford it today and saving up to get one in the future. Tesla to me is just not an expensive car but a trend setter to go green.

    • ilikeradiohead on 28/05/2015 - 10:41
      +1

      The maintenance and running costs must be really cheap to outlak $200k on a car…

      • vroomkroom on 28/05/2015 - 11:03
        +2

        The rich people are paying the price now for innovation atleast for Tesla. I am HOPING the cost will come down in say 5 years time and that's when you will see value. But for me driving a greener car holds the same value but will not pay another quarter mortgage to get my hands on it today.

        Something inline with the Op's questions. One of the big boss at my last job rode his push bike to work and has a Prius wagon for the family. They also grew their own veggies and they were vegans. I am sure he had 7 figure salary and if you had met him at a pub you would think he was just like you. He was a great guy to work for and great guy outside work. Learnt that you cannot judge by the covers !!

        • ilikeradiohead on 28/05/2015 - 12:23
          +1

          Yeah I think Elon Musk was trying to get a car into production that was US$35K, which is much closer in price to what regular people pay than what the Model S goes for now. And it's nice to hear that someone so successful is so humble haha.

  • ilikeradiohead on 28/05/2015 - 10:40
    +2

    I saw a range rover with the details of a real estate agency on the side of it and I immediately thought 'you make far too much money for what you do'. I already thought that being an estate agent was the most overpaid, undeserving and incompetent profession there was, so this was more of a reaffirmation than anything haha.

    • momov3 on 28/05/2015 - 10:50
      +1

      These days with the windfall they make due to property boom, they are driving Rolls Royces. Frankly, the ones I see around only drive late model BMWs and Mercs which is different from 10 years ago when they were proud to be seen in a Toyota or Commodore sedan.

  • momov3 on 28/05/2015 - 10:45
    +3

    Jeepers….men have been judging women within the first 2 seconds they lay eyes on her, and vice versa. In that short space of time, they've already made the decision whether they want to get to know them better or not. So the same goes with professions. Human beings never change.

  • [Deactivated] on 28/05/2015 - 11:30
    +4

    My opinion is that it depends on your job.

    I think you judge a person negatively when its a service that you were 'forced' into as opposed to choosing to utilise. Being forced into going to the doctor/dentist and seeing a nice car has a negative reaction compared to when you choose to go to the doctor (plastic surgeon) or dentist (for cosmetic work) and seeing a nice car. In the latter situation, you are more likely to take the expensive car as a sign that they are good at their job.

    So if you're worried about how you'll be judged …. ask yourself if most of your clients come to you by choice or because they have no other choice.

  • Cluster on 28/05/2015 - 11:34
    +5

    Does the car a person drives have an impact? Yes.

    I knew of a medical practice where the doctor drove a Porsche 911. Up market model with all the bells and whistles. Now this doctor worked hard for his money and if he wanted that vehicle, then good for him.

    But there were also patients who would come to his practice seeking treatment that could, in some cases, cost $10k (no medicare rebates). One family had to sell a car to afford treatment. I imagine the 911 ownership by the doctor would be a little jarring for this family, and they could quite easily see the correlation between their expensive treatment and the $200k car sitting in the driveway.

    Another example: when looking to build a house in the lower/budget price bracket I went to a few display villages. In one case the salesperson in attendance had his Mercedes S-Class parked out front. This was odd and didn't fit with the profile of the business, which advertised itself heavily about helping low income families to afford their first home. It made me think about how much the price of the house I would have bought was padded to pay the salesperson's commissions.

    • Davros on 28/05/2015 - 14:41
      +2

      Did you think they maybe they were relatively small commissions but because the product and price was right he just shifted lots of houses?

    • Harold Halfprice on 28/05/2015 - 15:06
      +2

      Takes a lot of hard work and studying to be come a dentist, let alone own your own practice. End of the day, that family doesn't have to use that dentist if they think his pricing is unfair. They can go elsewhere. Is there a correlation between the prices he charges and the expensive car he drives? Yes. But correlation is not causation. He can afford an expensive car because he studied his ass off and owns a practice - not because he's ripping people off.

      A dentist charges what his time is worth. And that is determined by the demand, and what people are willing to pay.

    • momov3 on 28/05/2015 - 20:28
      +2

      If it made them feel any better, they could have chosen to visit the GP on the other side of town who had a Kia in his personal carpark space? But they didn't as they probably trusted Practitioner Porsche more and maybe for a good reason.

  • wkd on 28/05/2015 - 14:36
    +1

    dont care what car they drive as long as they give good service

  • [Deactivated] on 28/05/2015 - 14:38
    -1

    Depends on the profession and how I plan to deal with them:

    If it is a potential business partner or someone I want to invest in, then I will see it as that person wastes money on frivolous toys rather than investing in more sensible areas. Same applies for potential partners that use iPhones or wear a Rolex watch. So I wouldn't want to put my money in their hands to waste on pretty but uneconomical purchases.

    However, in Asia I would take the opposite stance for the same dealing with a potential partner. The culture from what I've witnessed is to show off your wealth regardless of how you perform in your business. So I would choose to ignore their choice of personal effects completely, as it would be irrelevant.

    In terms of someone giving me a quote for a labour-based job, I would be expecting either a work vehicle or a normal car. Which tells me they take their profession seriously, invest back into themselves and are doing at least moderately well. If they turn up in an old banger, then instantly I think they are new to their business or business is failing. Likewise if they turn up in a Mercedes I will assume they overcharge and don't invest back into themselves.

    The less successful you are, the more successful you try to look.

    • Harold Halfprice on 28/05/2015 - 15:17
      +1

      I'm sorry that's incredibly naive.

      You wouldn't deal with a potential business partner because they might drive a nice car or use an iphone???
      Because iphones are really that expensive right… Perhaps they like cars, and enjoy the driving experience. Perhaps rather than spending money on big TVs, or going on holidays or other luxuries, they chose to buy a nice car.
      Maybe you consider luxury cars to be frivolous, but not everyone shares your opinion.

      Are you saying you've never spent money on yourself? You don't spend money on any luxuries? Never taken a holiday, blandly/cheaply furnished house, never eaten at a nice restaurant? Every penny you've earnt gets reinvested, and only allowing yourself the bare necessities and essentials to survive? Cause we all know that would be a load of crap.

      • [Deactivated] on 28/05/2015 - 23:01
        -1

        It's not about the expense of an iPhone, it's about the value for money compared to other phones. Someone who buys an iPhone is either a fanboy/wants the brand or hasn't done their research. Neither of those type of people would I want handling my money. If you can't comprehend that, more fool you.

        Not going to go into personal finances too much here, but pretty much. I drive a 10 year old car, I use a Lumia phone, rarely eat out, live in a 40 year old duplex in a "cheap area". My money is secured in other interests rather than material goods. I don't have any need to waste money on short-lived luxuries.

        I guess my opinions have upset others, but OP did ask "What do you think?"…

  • chukkii on 28/05/2015 - 14:53
    +1

    i don't think the car itself matters or reflects professionalism.

    However I think the state/condition of the car matters a lot. If I went to a dentist or an accountant and saw their car in shambles I'd think I was seeing a 3rd rate accountant/dentist.

    Drive whatever car you want but make sure it looks clean and maintained if you're trying to look professional. If I saw a car full of dents, a shitty paint-job that was falling apart and missing the bumper I wouldn't care if you're driving an Mazeratti, you'd look like a dodgy professional to me

  • Harold Halfprice on 28/05/2015 - 14:54

    The car is a symbol and reflection of success - whether you perceive that success to be based on good/quality service or overcharging/ripping people off will depend on the situation, primarily whether it is your choice to use their services or being forced to use their services.

    But at the same time, look at the other spectrum.
    Being a high up professional and driving an old run down shitbox. You'd think theyre not doing too well either. The TV show 'Better Call Saul' portrays this well, in which Saul drives an old beaten up rusty car with mismatched panels and faded paint.

    • ronorboris on 29/05/2015 - 11:21

      I was just going to mention our good friend Jimmy.

  • baggyred on 28/05/2015 - 16:24
    +1

    As a professional I had to make this choice for myself last year

    I had an old banged up shitty looking BMW which I absolutely adored and still ran like a dream (though with faltering brakes). However the interior was starting to fall apart. Was going to cost far more than the car was worth to fix.

    Personally - I couldn't give a toss what my car was like as long as it drove nice, was safe and decent on fuel.

    However I am often seen out by clients and peers and wanted a car that fit in between being flashy and being poor. Finding that balance between what is "successful" but not so much so that clients felt ripped off. Of course it also had to meet my own fiscally responsible ideals.

    The car purchase really is more than just finding the right car - no one gives a toss over my TV, bedroom furniture… but the car rightly or wrongly tells a story

    • momov3 on 28/05/2015 - 20:44
      +1

      I wouldn't mind owning any BMW. Even a shitty BMW is good by me.

  • smoothymcmellow on 28/05/2015 - 17:05
    +1

    My Taiwanese friend runs a very successful business and continues building on his fathers fortune.

    His father's rule is he must drive a 4 door car, must be blue (superstition) and must not be flashy, he does not believe in flaunting wealth.

    So my friend has 2 cars, a blue mazda 6 that he picks up his father in when he visits

    and an white Audi A5 (soon to updgrade to an R8) that he drives when his father is out of the country :)

    Whilst I still feel my friend does well at not flaunting his wealth, he likes to drive a nice car and works damn hard (and ridiculous hours) for it

    • momov3 on 28/05/2015 - 20:31
      +1

      Aha…..he drives a Japanese model and a German model. Why not Luxgen? :) :) :)

  • iridiumstem on 28/05/2015 - 20:31
    +1

    I'd say I wouldn't judge based on cars, but in my heart, I know that I will to some degree. Though since I know nothing about cars, it would be more of "wooo shiny." to those fancy looking cars. Conspicuous spending, it's conspicuous for a reason, right?

    Though that being said, if the driver acts like a scumbag, the positive image I've got from the car would probably backfire. I'd probably end up having worse image of the guy as a scumbag with an expensive car (which would be far memorable for me).

  • t_c on 28/05/2015 - 20:43
    +2

    Get a bike, that'll make em think.

    • Cheap Steve on 28/05/2015 - 23:23
      +2

      I ride a bike to work. I hope my clients think I am environmentally friendly and health conscious and not that I'm a cheap-skate (which I am).

  • tdw on 29/05/2015 - 00:48
    +1

    but there finer details to think about when judging people and their cars. firstly, what type of car is it? if it's just a base model bmw/merc/audi, experience tells me they're only out for the badge and a false sense of prestige.

    i don't necessarily think those with luxury cars can truly afford it. most people on somewhat decent jobs could probably afford the weekly payments yet if they have to pay the mechanic's bill they start baulking that it's too expensive. again, they're just pretenders.

    the colour of the car. white, silver, grey or black tells me they're too worried about perceived resale value. more worried about being seen with the right badge on the bonnet.

    condition of the car. if i see excessive dents, scratches, car doesn't look like it's had a wash for year(s) and curb rashed wheels, i'm inclined to think they don't value or look after their possessions. and therefore i'd be very cautious before doing business with that lot.

    that said i avoid real estate agents regardless of what car they drive ;)

  • masadav on 29/05/2015 - 05:33
    +2

    Some advice I was given by a rather successful business owner:

    As a electrician, never have a too flashy work vehicle. If your ute/van looks too nice, customers will think you have more room to move on price and try to haggle down, or they will think you must charge too much and shop around more for a better price.

    I think this would apply to quite a few trades.

    • momov3 on 29/05/2015 - 13:54
      +2

      In other words, you may be earning tonnes and be rich but don't flaunt it right? My electrician used to come around in a Mercedes ute of some kind, may have been a 4-wheel drive. Because it's not within my league of vehicles, I can't describe it correctly. He never hesitated to tell me (and this was years ago) that he earned about $1/4m a year but could just die in a second if he made a fatal judgement of error resulting in his death! I think the second part of his sentence was to make me feel better about his high charges……

  • justwaitingforamate on 29/05/2015 - 08:34
    +1

    I am a health professional also and generally not a judgmental person (though we all think that of ourselves, yet we always are to some degree by nature). As OP seems to be asking from a business perspective (just not wanting his/her choice to affect business) I would go for what has already been stated. Buy the mid range practical car because regardless of what we decide people will think, a large % of people will think otherwise. So from a purely impact on business perspective the generic middle ground will not offend anyone yet either end of the spectrum have the potential to do so.

    Where I work there is a porsche parked in the car park and people sometimes think that its mine….. I drive a beaten up (literally) 1997 hyundai excel :-) they just keep going and going (I do 1100 km a week average) and yes I probably would be negatively judged because of it.

    • JimB on 29/05/2015 - 10:17
      +1

      I wouldn't judge you for it, but I suggest you drive a new car which is much safer for your own well being, especially as you're on the road a lot.

      Doesn't have to be flashy - $20-30k will buy you a safe car.

      A 97 Excel would disintegrate in any major accident. Especially in your industry, you should know that your health is priceless.

      • Davros on 29/05/2015 - 10:22
        +2

        So in your eyes something like this is dangerous?

        http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Holden-Commodore-…

        • JimB on 29/05/2015 - 10:27
          +1

          I don't think it's dangerous but doesn't have curtain airbags or electronic stability control. A new car will be much safer especially when getting T Boned.

          It is still however a lot safer than a 97 Excel.

      • momov3 on 29/05/2015 - 13:47
        +1

        I drive a Hatch and yes, I believe in a bad backend crash, it would be enough to wipe out the entire back and the front as the back of the car is that near to the driver seat. And I just hate it when I carry passengers in the backseat as I fear for them should the car be rear ended by an 18 wheeler or a monster truck. Yet I choose a Hatchback because it's easier to park and see the end of the car when I reverse!

        • JimB on 29/05/2015 - 14:07
          +1

          I also drive a hatch (Mk5 Golf GTI), I doubt I have that much to worry about. I'm not sure what hatch you drive, but the Golfs and European hatches are engineered incredibly well safety wise with beefy steel reinforcement and crumple zones. So while the back may crumple, it's designed to do that to absorb the impact.

          And if you were rear ended by a 18 wheeler or a monster truck, it doesn't matter what passenger vehicle/4WD you're in, you stand little chance of survival.

          I too like the practicality of a hatch, you're not going to fit a dishwasher or washing machine in a sedan!

    • momov3 on 29/05/2015 - 13:42
      +1

      You said it yourself! You called yourself QLDtightarse. (just joking)

  • wtfnodeal on 29/05/2015 - 10:21
    +2

    Or just walk and take public transport?

    • Davros on 29/05/2015 - 10:29
      +3

      God no, You may be run down by someone in a car without curtain airbags or electronic stability control.
      Best just stay at home under mummy's skirts and never venture out.

      • tdw on 29/05/2015 - 15:31
        +1

        don't forget ABS. you need ABS so you can stop and hit that pedestrian with precision ;)

  • h0mbre on 29/05/2015 - 16:02
    +4

    This issue is not so black and white.
    The majority of people know nothing about cars, they only know badges.
    The amount of times I've seen people oohing and ahhing over a base model BMW or Merc simply because of the badge is astounding.

    Lexus is arguably the most reliable and satisfying manufacturer of motor vehicles in the world but many Australians will not see them as anything more than a "tarted up Toyota".
    VW is a yuppie car in Australia, whereas it does not share this prestige elsewhere.
    Mercs are seen as only a prestige car in Aus, but are used as Taxi's in Germany
    Falcons and Commodores are considered shitboxes but if you sit in and drive a new up spec'd model, far out its a lot of kit for 50k and far more than what you get in a 60k base model German car.

    Where I live, many of the families have a nice German car for the weekday driving and a Subaru wagon or 4WD for the weekend activities.

    Each to their own, who cares what someone else is doing with their money.

    -

  • Boombadaboom on 30/05/2015 - 06:32
    +1

    Cars are not an investment for any kind of business. They can be an asset… but which also decline in value over time… So unless your business deals and needs cars or have a need to show exclusivity(hired cars/drivers) or respect (e.g. funeral homes)… There's little to no point of trying to gain perceived value from a car. Unless also you're a car aficionado… Just don't forget there's maintenance on top of that… and usually they get more expensive the more expensive the car is. I'd rather invest/focus on the business capability. As they all say.. as long as it is secure enough, reliable, safe, gets you from point a to b….

  • Crayg on 30/05/2015 - 07:25
    +1

    I definitely do under some situations
    1) if a tradie has a really bad car, to me they seem untrustworthy.
    2) if a real estate agent has a really nice car, it makes me mad and then hate them
    3) I don't mind the medical profession owning nice cars, as I believe they work hard / am slightly jealous of them

  • Lunchtime on 30/05/2015 - 16:21
    +2

    I would judge the condition of the car more than the badge. I would have more respect for the driver if it was a 10 year old commodore that was clean and looked after than a Euro badge that was treated like crap

  • centrelink on 30/05/2015 - 17:26
    +1

    I know alot of Chinese students from overseas use this as a factor to judge and alot of them (especially the Chinese females) will use it to determine if they are viable for a relationship.

  • drfuzzy on 31/05/2015 - 00:04
    +1

    There is a sweet spot.

    A professional driving a $500k 2015 Ferrari would be viewed negatively by most due to the sheer excess of it
    A professional driving a $1k 1985 Corolla would be viewed negatively by most due to the apparent lack of success and deviation far from the norm.

    I suggest the optimal strategy would be a mid-range safe and reliable sedan in a conservative colour.

  • goraygo on 31/05/2015 - 06:34
    +1

    Ops, everyone knows doctors earn heaps. It's a common knowledge. Whatever you drive doesn't matter anyway because in the back of their mind doctors are rich.

    in fact, some has pointed out for your profession, drives a luxury car could be better because you are seen with:

    1. Many customers (earn more because you are good)
    2. Care for your self image (so in turn you would care your customers)
    3. Attention to details (so you hopefully would be too with your customers)

    get a Merc, you will enjoy the comfort and safety that comes with it. Hehe

  • [Deactivated] on 31/05/2015 - 19:15
    +1

    Do the clothes, and the mode of transport, maketh the man?

    I drive a top of the class, mid-size luxury SUV but I often choose to leave it at work and …run the 10 odd kms from and to work.

    Last Thursday was one of those days. Walked into the building, said a cheerful good-morning to the 2 distinguished-looking gentlemen in the foyer. They looked at me snootily and barely nodded back. I went in my office, had a shower, put on a suit, leisurely went over the morning reports, while having my breakfast and coffee.

    30 minutes later, my assistant lets in my 9.30 a.m appointment. It was the 2 distinguished-looking gentlemen sitting in the foyer. The look on their face when they realised who I was was priceless! :)

    Edit: on the other end of the spectrum, the mrs doesn't like it when I pick her up from work in the flashy SUV. She works with troubled, young adults from a low socio-economic suburb. She says it lowers her street cred. *sigh

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