Professional/Businessman's Car

[lesnar]

What are some sedans that are suitable for a businessman. Something that looks professional and mature (doesn't have to be high-end/luxury). List your suggestions.

Thanks!

edit:
for professional, lets say...a real estate agent/broker...someone who makes between $50,000-$80,000...

[fastlayne]

Chrysler 300 SRT8.

[monty613]

when i think of "businessman's car" i think of a full size sedan or something not very sporty

lincoln town
bmw 7-series
merc s-class
cadillac dts
chryser 300
rollys royce phantom
bentley arnage
maybach
jaguar XJ
volvo s80

[VivienM]

What are some sedans that are suitable for a businessman. Something that looks professional and mature (doesn't have to be high-end/luxury). List your suggestions.

What budget?

Age of the driver? Gender?

And what do you mean by businessman? CEO type, or some person who graduated from some MBA program two years ago and is working in investment banking?

[fooit]

Chrysler 300 SRT8.

+1

[nalababe]

Depends on what you are classifying as busniness man...others are talking high end. I am not.

Our sales force and management typically have the new Taurus X or Enclave (nicer finishes in each). This includes people earning 100+.

An appropriately fitted Camry, Aura, Accord, Fusion would be fine as well.

a 3 series or equivalent size is not practicle when taking out any other customers/clients. Too small.

[lofidelity]

The key is to get a relatively large car (not Civic or Corolla sized), no matter what your budget is. Compact cars convey the image that you're not mature. Beyond that, spend within your means. Some suggestions in order of price are: Chevy Malibu/Impala, Nissan Maxima, Lexus ES350, Mercedes S-Class.

[VivienM]

The key is to get a relatively large car (not Civic or Corolla sized), no matter what your budget is. Compact cars convey the image that you're not mature.

How would you classify something like the A4 or IS250/350?

[mmmken]

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/6738/6yu06dv105258sx5.png

:lol:

You'd be taken sooo seriously if you showed up in this.

[gherikill]

How would you classify something like the A4 or IS250/350?

Girl car

[ifeature]

Depends how good you are at your job. The subway or Metro is suitable. So is a bike. Walking. A 20 year old beater. If you're buying based on what other people think, you've already lost. This thread is silly.

[suki_c25]

Girl car

what do you drive then?

[TheCheez]

Depends how good you are at your job. The subway or Metro is suitable. So is a bike. Walking. A 20 year old beater. If you're buying based on what other people think, you've already lost. This thread is silly.

I kinda agree with you. As long as you don't have a requirement to drive clients and colleagues around, tour company assets or make sales calls who cares?

Drive whatever makes you and your family happy. I know a number of businessmen who drive Subaru wagons.

[cluless]

You're budget will determine what you drive.. are you planning on buying outright or finance/lease?

Usually something in a newer 07/08 will help you out as well.

[Audiogenic]

One of the more popular entry level luxury car for many Directors/VPs I know has always been the Acura TL (at around 40Kish).

[gherikill]

what do you drive then?

I drive an Impala. The only people I know who drive A4s and IS 250s are girls. Sorry to offend you if you drive one.

When and if (not sure if it is worth it) I move to the near luxury class I would consider a BMW 5 series, Lexus LS, Caddy STS or the new Lincoln MKS.

[kramerz80]

A4 & IS250/350 > Impala anyday of the week...

[gherikill]

A4 & IS250/350 > Impala anyday of the week...

Thats great! I wonder if it has anything to do with the lower average weight of female drivers.:cheesygri

FWIW the only car of those that is faster than a Impala SS is the IS.350

2005 A4 0-60 = 7.7s
2006 IS250 0-60 = 7.9s
2006 Impala SS 0-60 = 5.7s
2006 IS350 0-60= 5.6s

[squireglig]

Girl car

+1

[myapple]

When and if (not sure if it is worth it) I move to the near luxury class I would consider a BMW 5 series, Lexus LS, Caddy STS or the new Lincoln MKS.
All massive gas-guzzlers designed for the 50+ crowd.

Here are some nice options that won't break the bank: AcuraTL/TSX, Passat, Mazda6.

[kramerz80]

2008 Impala SS goes 0-60 in 6.4 seconds...

2008 Audi A4 Quattro 3.2L in 6.6 seconds...

2008 Audi A4 Quattro 2.0L 7.1 seconds...

Still take the Audi for superior styling, handling, AWD, reliability and has way better resale value... whats the Impala gonna be worth in 5 years? 5 grand?

For the purpose of this thread, the Impala might be more suitable for the OP, as it is a full size sedan, and a car geared towards older people...

[Spor 13]

The VP of Technology at my work drives a Ford F150 lol

[camber]

What are some sedans that are suitable for a businessman. Something that looks professional and mature (doesn't have to be high-end/luxury). List your suggestions.

Thanks!

what type of business are you in?

What's the role of this car(buiness or pleasure)?

What type of clientele do have?

Do you have any superiors and what do they drive?

Way too many unanswered variables, to give you good options.

[ssainani]

Here are some nice options that won't break the bank: AcuraTL/TSX, Passat, Mazda6.

i work for a large large company -- i think one of the top 5 in canada

our executive parking lot (heated and cooled) is filled with mostly Envoys/Yukons/Passats/Outbacks/audi a6's...even quite a few Jettas and the like... and the odd CLK -- these are not company cars

not a single a4 (which i drive) or tsx or mazda6...or giant S class/7 series, etc

i'd say over 30% of the cars are large american suvs.....mostly GM.... (envoy/trailblazer or yukon)

[VivienM]

All massive gas-guzzlers designed for the 50+ crowd.

Here are some nice options that won't break the bank: AcuraTL/TSX, Passat, Mazda6.

"Massive gas guzzler"? I don't think a 5 series guzzles much more than a TL or Passat...

Now, if you're comparing those with "sticking with Civic/Corolla", then sure, you have a point. :)

[gherikill]

2008 Impala SS goes 0-60 in 6.4 seconds...

2008 Audi A4 Quattro 3.2L in 6.6 seconds...

2008 Audi A4 Quattro 2.0L 7.1 seconds...
.

Just curious as to where you got your 0-60 times from?

Everywhere I look the Impala has 5.6 -5.7 s, like this wikipedia article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Impala

[kramerz80]

what is your price limit?

[kramerz80]

Just curious as to where you got your 0-60 times from?

Everywhere I look the Impala has 5.6 -5.7 s, like this wikipedia article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Impala

Couldnt find it on GMs website so I googled it...

www.cargurus.com/Cars/Overview-c8232-2008-Impala.html
and
www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/impala/2008/review.html

[Jeff-TheBiz]

what is your price limit?

+1

For this thread to be of any use at all, you need to define your budget.

[lesnar]

What budget?

Age of the driver? Gender?

And what do you mean by businessman? CEO type, or some person who graduated from some MBA program two years ago and is working in investment banking?

for professional, lets say...a real estate agent/ (stock) broker...someone who makes between $50,000-$80,000...

[VivienM]

for professional, lets say...a real estate agent/ (stock) broker...someone who makes between $50,000-$80,000...

Hmmm... at that kind of income, you probably can't go much more expensive than Altima/Camry/Accord/Malibu/etc?

Also, one thing that matters: real estate agents, I think, often drive clients around. Stockbrokers probably don't.

[camber]

Real estate agent would depend on your clientele. If you selling bridle path houses a Range Rover would probably be the minimum ;) . Also, you might not want to be too flashly in that role. People already think they're getting robbed by the commission they pay.

Stock Brocker you could get a bit different but I wouldn't get a better car then you boss. Apperance, in the finacial would plays a big role in advancement.

[ssainani]

for professional, lets say...a real estate agent/ (stock) broker...someone who makes between $50,000-$80,000...

honestly - in my example on page 2...the median income of that parking lot is probably over 250k -- and still no S or 7 series or A8's. Mostly large SUV's and the odd VW in the mix...quite a few Volvo wagons or Volvo Suv's too...



another parking lot where i frequent has a lot of 7 series and S classes.....similar income -- but not professional jobs (i think people who are sales people or business owners will drive those cars...)

[frogger]

A real estate agent not catering to the high end market should probably not get anything too flashy. You don't want anything that makes too much of a statement IMO other than "I'm a responsible person". As mentioned above, a well equipped midsize sedan suits your budget. Then you can add two 12" subwoofers in the trunk and LCD screens in the headrests!

Ok just kidding about the last bit.

[plucky duck]

My vote goes towards the Cadillac CTS. Luxury and class.

[hagbard]

Chrysler 300 SRT8.

Good choice if he's a pimp. Oh wait, he said RE right...;)

[Rehan]

Show your RFD colors and get a Hyundai Genesis.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/112_0801_2009_hyundai_genesis_sedan/
http://www.hyundaigenesis.ca/

[hagbard]

Better yet, get one of these:

http://www.tangotrikes.com/images/tango-car-blue-thumb.jpg

Never had do drive those pesky clients around, just go pick up the cheques. :cheesygri

[realchinshady]

Lexus ES or GS

[blue mountain raider]

smart car or vespa. your clients would think you like to protect the environment.

[azn_dan]

i would nominate an audi S5