Aston Martin, Bentley or Lotus. Best impression on arrival?

Aston Martin, Bentley or Lotus. Best impression on arrival?

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Discussion

arbitrage

Original Poster:

18 posts

143 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
Seeing the article on the home page about the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, reminded of a conversation I was having with a friend at the weekend. Now he is not a major petrol head, but does like a car with a bit of go. He has been working hard in his own business for the last couple of years and now he is in a position to spend 40k or so on a car. My choice would be the Lotus Evora, but he also likes a Continental GT and the V8 Vantage.

Anyway, his question was, "If I turn up at a clients in one of these three cars, which gives the best impression?".

The Aston has the be the least offensive in my opinion, while still looking the part.

Car Choice:
Aston Martin V8 Vantage (2008'ish)
Bentley Continental GT (2006'ish)
Lotus Evora (2010-11'ish)

Cheers,
Arbi.

SpeckledJim

31,608 posts

254 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
Which one says 'I'm overcharging you' loudest?

The Bentley

Which is the nicest looking?

The Aston Martin

Which has the most gravitas?

The Bentley.

ewenm

28,506 posts

246 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
The vast majority of people won't know what the Evora is without peering at the badge. The Bentley and Aston are easily identified but definitely shout "Money!" more than the Lotus. I'd go for the Evora as I'd rather not shout about it.

It all depends on what your friend means by "best impression" and what opinions the clients he visits have about "flash" cars.

Engineer1

10,486 posts

210 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
Dependant on the business any slash all of those could scream overcharging knob, or wannabe if he turns up in something that isn't quite the in thing. Surely the answer is whichever one he's lusted after the longest or can justify the choice of the best.

dapearson

4,371 posts

225 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
Buy either of them for himself and ensure that customers don't see it. It screams of overcharging, and also hints that you're more concerned with pocketing cash and having flash cars than you are about investing in the growth/strength of your company, regardless of how untrue that is.

Lease a fairly nice, but not too flash spec 3-series for normal business duties and keep the nice car at home. IMO a car like that says that you're doing well, but aren't reckless with money.



Oddly enough i was thinking something similar when reading the V8 Vantage thread. What if i bought one. What would i use it for? What if i went for a job interview, what does that say about me?

It's interesting and it shouldn't matter, but unfortunately it does.

arbitrage

Original Poster:

18 posts

143 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
When he asked, took me a while to think about it. The Aston does have a good balance flash and stlye. Nobody really knows the Lotus, but I rather think he wants something a little showy.

Jedimindtrix71

115 posts

131 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
For me it's the Lotus as it'd also be a great ice-breaker.

"Which lotus is that? I've never seen one of those before"

"Nice car, what is it"

Etc

famfarrow

690 posts

155 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
Lotus the others will have customers drawing immediate connotations and in most cases they won't be good IMO. The Lotus will be a great talking point, non petrolheads are unlikely to have seen one or know about them whilst petrolheads will likely be fascinated by it.

Edit: Ahh beaten to the talking point.

User33678888

1,143 posts

138 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013... should definitely be considered. As should a second car if running a high end toy.

acme

2,972 posts

199 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
dapearson said:
Buy either of them for himself and ensure that customers don't see it. It screams of overcharging, and also hints that you're more concerned with pocketing cash and having flash cars than you are about investing in the growth/strength of your company, regardless of how untrue that is.

Lease a fairly nice, but not too flash spec 3-series for normal business duties and keep the nice car at home. IMO a car like that says that you're doing well, but aren't reckless with money.



Oddly enough i was thinking something similar when reading the V8 Vantage thread. What if i bought one. What would i use it for? What if i went for a job interview, what does that say about me?

It's interesting and it shouldn't matter, but unfortunately it does.
This. No matter how hard you've worked for it or how much of a petrolhead you are people will judge you - now ordinarily I couldn't give a monkeys, but how you present yourself to clients/potential employers does matter, having something neutral (Golf!) is the sensible thing. It's just like a name, people make assumptions, plus you wouldn't turn up to see a client/interview in shorts, flip flops & a t-shirt would you (Ok so in some industries that might be fine I know).

All round I'd get the Aston, not that I've driven one but the Evora's suppose to be a brilliant steer, & I wouldn't touch the Bentley, footballers trinket which shouts 'oi'!

arbitrage

Original Poster:

18 posts

143 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
famfarrow said:
Lotus the others will have customers drawing immediate connotations and in most cases they won't be good IMO. The Lotus will be a great talking point, non petrolheads are unlikely to have seen one or know about them whilst petrolheads will likely be fascinated by it.

Edit: Ahh beaten to the talking point.
That's why I would choose the Lotus. But, if I take off my petrol head for a while and try work out what other people might think, the Aston does have it. I also think he's a bit too young for the Bentley, but too old for the Lotus.

Quick straw poll of office girls, they would like to meet the guy in the Aston. This could be a powerful factor. Although the R8 driver in the office wanted to meet him and tell him he has chosen the wrong car...


Jedimindtrix71

115 posts

131 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
arbitrage said:
That's why I would choose the Lotus. But, if I take off my petrol head for a while and try work out what other people might think, the Aston does have it. I also think he's a bit too young for the Bentley, but too old for the Lotus.

Quick straw poll of office girls, they would like to meet the guy in the Aston. This could be a powerful factor. Although the R8 driver in the office wanted to meet him and tell him he has chosen the wrong car...
R8 driver that works in an office.

I bet he specced it in white.

smile

arbitrage

Original Poster:

18 posts

143 months

Thursday 1st August 2013
quotequote all
Jedimindtrix71 said:
R8 driver that works in an office.

I bet he specced it in white.

smile
Yes, she did spec white. Also V10 and Spyder.