Acceptable cars to visit clients in

[andyb28]

I currently on an R36, which I think is a good choice for visiting clients in. To most it looks like a regular Passat, but those that know, know.

So, I am looking to change and have a budget up to around £35k, however, I do not want my customers thinking I overcharge them.

I should add, I really like 4wheel drive cars, after having a bad experience in a E Class Merc.

I would really like a C4S 997 shape, but this is possibly bad for the image

Nissan GTR - after top gear last week, I was seriously thinking about it, but not sure it will be all that good for a couple of hundred mile journey to a meeting.

I guess there is a whole range of Audi's, but they are a bit boring and I chose my R36 over the RS4 last time around.

Anyone got any other good options?

[tooldtocruise]

The Golf R, looks like a golf
new focus RS nice spec, looks pretty bland

im a sucker for a GTR though, if you can afford the running go for it

Edited by tooldtocruise on Saturday 7th February 20:00

[Crafty_]

What XDrive BMWs are available here ?

Was thinking about a 'R' jag of some description (XFR maybe) but obviously not 4wd. They are quite subtle though.

[Countdown]

OP - What business are you in?

I'm an accountant. I don't think any of my clients have been bothered about the car I drive (apart from a couple of petrolheads).

[andyb28]

The Jag XF is the sensible choice, couple of my friends in a similar position to me have Jags, but its probably something I would consider when I am a little bit older.

The XKR is really lovely looking, it looks like a baby Aston Martin, but I think thats also what bothers me about it.

[hajaba123]

I got some grief about my Elise in a previous role from a client. Just started parking it round the corner for visits after that.

[kiethton]

BMW 328ix or even a 335ix if the budget stretches....there is the 335xd if you want diesel though

[andyb28]

kiethton said:

BMW 328ix or even a 335ix if the budget stretches....there is the 335xd if you want diesel though

Wow, I didn't know that 335xd existed, "Acceleration (0-60mph) 4.8 seconds" that is some serious go for a diesel!
You could be onto something with this.

[davepoth]

andyb28 said:

The Jag XF is the sensible choice, couple of my friends in a similar position to me have Jags, but its probably something I would consider when I am a little bit older.

The XKR is really lovely looking, it looks like a baby Aston Martin, but I think thats also what bothers me about it.

Jaguar is "skewing" younger these days, especially when the new XE comes out. They'll be driven by all the shiny suited 22 year olds, just like flat white Audi A4s are now. I'd go for the V8S if I was in your situation.

The R36 is a good choice, it looks like a bland repmobile to people who want you to be cheap, but an innovative and left-field choice for anyone who likes cars.

I might double down on that and go for a VW Phaeton. It's basically a Bentley Flying Spur with Beetle badges.

[Vocal Minority]

To be honest its a slightly difficult question to answer - what do you do, and who are your clients?

Are you in the business of making them money - say an investment manager?

Or are you an administrator and receiver, and turning up to lay people off in an AMV8 may be seen as somewhat uncouth?

You want performance, but not flash - but a little more input on your idea of 'flash' would be helpful.

For example, IMHO - whilst non car people may not know what it is, a GTR is hardly the last word in subtlety.

[andyb28]

Fair enough.
I am a managing director of an IT company.

I hadn't considered the Phaeton, I didn't even know it was 4Motion, I have heard the stories about the quality on the original one, is that still true on the newest models?

[PurpleMoonlight]

How ridiculous that you should have to hide the fact that you have a successful business and can enjoy a nice car.

Having said that, I do understand where you are coming from. When I ran a Bentley for a while I got some adverse comments from clients, but when I changed it for a Range Rover I never got any.

[Fishtigua]

Must say that Jags and Rangies give a nice whiff of success when entering a car park. If a German saloon pulls up, you just think Rep-mobile.

[Vocal Minority]

Well a quick scan of the classifieds basically churns out options that you can see yourself. Millions of Porsches, Audis and BMWs. You can get into Continentals for your budget - not terribly subtle.

My suggestion - and I admit it isn't particularly 'PH' as it is a dreaded 'H word' (it also may drive like a dog, I haven't read anything about it - but its a bit left field, will have plenty of shove, and is relatively modern and advanced, which kind of goes with an IT consultant.

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/i...

[gregf40]

Get a GTR.

[BrabusMog]

PurpleMoonlight said:

How ridiculous that you should have to hide the fact that you have a successful business and can enjoy a nice car.

Having said that, I do understand where you are coming from. When I ran a Bentley for a while I got some adverse comments from clients, but when I changed it for a Range Rover I never got any.

100% agree with this. I borrowed my dads VX220 for a week last year and 2 customers commented on how "flash" it was but had never batted an eyelid at the Merc e350 I was driving normally, even though it was probably worth less than half of the Merc!

[Myc]

You are right to give this consideration. Several years ago a colleague of mine was an Account Director and her client (a large IT Organisation) begun to question the fee's they were paying based on the fact she drove a Porsche 911. She had to lose it and get a debadged BMW 330 Coupe instead.

Whilst she was making very good money out of them in commission (delivering what they were asking her to deliver) her husband owned a successful manufacturing business and was a millionaire in his own right but no consideration was given to her alternative revenue streams.

I think I'd go for the 335D Touring X Drive myself definitely looking at that once the space of the current XC70 D5 is no longer required.

[R1 Indy]

BrabusMog said:

100% agree with this. I borrowed my dads VX220 for a week last year and 2 customers commented on how "flash" it was but had never batted an eyelid at the Merc e350 I was driving normally, even though it was probably worth less than half of the Merc!

I once turned up to a customer for a callout in my £4K S2000 (my van was having its MOT, and was not worth hiring a van for half a day)

First thing she said was "so thats why you charge so much"

Too be fair, it was said in a nice/joking manner.

Edited by R1 Indy on Sunday 8th February 11:37

Edited by R1 Indy on Sunday 8th February 11:38

[madmover]

I don't think a GTR would be good for the image whatsoever.

Personally I'd go and buy a Mazda 6MPS or similar then have a toy for the weekend. That said, it's all personal opinion and you'll never please everyone irrespective of what you decide to opt for.

[andyb28]

I have done that for years. I owned an Integrale, kept it nice in the garage and drove a basic Merc for work. However my wife has a car, we also own a motorhome, it becomes a lot of vehicles to tax / insure / mot.