1st world problem question.

[DesmoDiva]

Toureg is worth a look, though I'm not a VW fan.

Just think of it as a dressed down, Porsche Cayenne.

[red baron]

Drove the Jeep Diesel. Dog. Also, like the food poisoning thread, don't think I'll try jeep again for a while.

Toureg is worth a look, though I'm not a VW fan.

I'm also in sales. I've had my Passat for 4 months and now have 30k on it, the service from my local dealer has been stellar. I've had zero issues and beat the snot out of it. Likely I'll buy this car from the company when I'm done with it as a work vehicle. It's solidly built and reminds me of the A4 we had a while back. I've been trying to get wifey to leave her Pathfinder for years and get a Toureg, so far falling on deaf ears (she loves that Nissan LOL).

[red baron]

Just think of it as a dressed down, Porsche Cayenne.

With less issues.

[DesmoDiva]

With less issues.

and still a technician's nightmare.

[koko64]

What about a Holden (Chevy) SS ute? Talking point

[the_Journeyman]

I think those are neat.  We don't get anything like them since GM dropped the El Camino in the 80s. 

JM

[Skybarney]

Some advice from a former sales powerhouse.  I have set up marketing operations for a few different industries.  During that time I learned some important lessons.  One of which came from a older guy that did exactly what you are doing for a living.  He and his former partner held the oldest roofing contractors license in L.A. county.  They were doing gang buster business when they had a falling out and split up into two different competing companies.

The first guy kept the original and visibly older company fleet vehicles, including the ones his sales guys took out to do estimates.  The other went out and bought all new equipment including shiny upper end lifted trucks with pretty graphics for his sales guys.

Guess which one failed?

Seems that showing up in expensive high end vehicles worked against the owner of the second company.  The first company with the older vehicles often got the job on the first bid or two.  The second company seldom got the jobs.....

Show up in something too nice and there is a chance the client will figure they will get a better deal with someone else......  Take it for what you will but showy high end vehicles are not good for the type of industry you are working in.

[IZ]

I guess it depends on your customer base.

You live in a different world than I do though, so the opinion might be regional.

Yes^

[ZLTFUL]

Ford Explorer Sport with the 3.5l EcoBoost V6.

Personally, I am a BMW guy but the Explorer offers a good compromise of performance coupled with the "working man's" image that Ford exudes.

[hbliam]

Ford Explorer Sport with the 3.5l EcoBoost V6.

Personally, I am a BMW guy but the Explorer offers a good compromise of performance coupled with the "working man's" image that Ford exudes.

Yeah, semi considered that. I guess I'll go drive one.

[hbliam]

Some advice from a former sales powerhouse.  I have set up marketing operations for a few different industries.  During that time I learned some important lessons.  One of which came from a older guy that did exactly what you are doing for a living.  He and his former partner held the oldest roofing contractors license in L.A. county.  They were doing gang buster business when they had a falling out and split up into two different competing companies.

The first guy kept the original and visibly older company fleet vehicles, including the ones his sales guys took out to do estimates.  The other went out and bought all new equipment including shiny upper end lifted trucks with pretty graphics for his sales guys.

Guess which one failed?

Seems that showing up in expensive high end vehicles worked against the owner of the second company.  The first company with the older vehicles often got the job on the first bid or two.  The second company seldom got the jobs.....

Show up in something too nice and there is a chance the client will figure they will get a better deal with someone else......  Take it for what you will but showy high end vehicles are not good for the type of industry you are working in.

Yeah, that's kind of my point in gauging the feel of you guys. But....I went to bid the other day in Newport Coast. You know the one parking spot they build for the guard to park his car? It held a 60K Mercedes. 

[hbliam]

Macan? 

[Monsterlover]

Macan? 

Pm Lethe, he drove one. His wife also rolls in a q5 so he can tell you all about that

[DarkMonster620]

I am from a different world than you are . . . When I have had needed work done in the house or when choosing the guys to work in the remodeling of the shop, I've had guys show up in European and American and also Japanese/Asian vehicles . . . usually the best compromise in time/price came from the guy who's vehicle reflected his pricing . . . not necessarily the most expensive or least expensive . . . Having ALL those vehicles here also, looking from about 5k miles away, I would recommend, if you want European, try out the Touareg and Tiguan, both available in gasoline and diesel . ..  A few here love diesels, specially these; Bimmer's diesel are also very good but not sure if available in the US . . . As for American brands, Ford right now is showing to be the one with the least recalls . . . Although I am a GM guy and Japanese brands, I am a Nissan guy; in general, if I had the money, I'd go European+Diesel . . . Sadly, can't even go Chinese at the moment . . .

I'd say, go for the one that appeals to you and doesn't make you a "show off" . . .

[MendoDave]

A Simple Ford F150 would look the part and give that working man look.



When I was selling Lindal Cedar Homes, the more successful you appeared, the better your sales did. But Selling Custom Homes is slightly different.