Cars with a professional look at a college price

[heymrdj]

Based on my thread about a Volvo C70 Inscription it's got me pondering. For young professionals out of college that happen to land it big (i count myself lucky, fresh out of school and already landed a just shy of 20/hr engineering job), what vehicles are available that give that regal feel at the non-college price. While we would all love to live in a peaceful world with no judgement, lets face it, big wigs don't like when you park your 92 civic with exhaust dragging on the ground next to their Audi R8.

Disclaimer: This isn't for me or any one I know, just hypothetical stuff. I'm paying off some more debt and contiuing to drive my Expedition into the ground, but just throwing out some conversation

So lets put the cap at 25,000$, and new. I guess as a seperate category, if not new, no older than 2009. What cars exist out there :sneaky:.

EDIT: Obligatory United States since the price quote was in USD

 

[JulesMaximus]

Obligatory G35/350Z/IS250/350

You could easily find any of those cars with low mileage on the used market in that price range.

 

[manimal]

Vauxhall Monaro


We dont know where you live so naming random British cars works too.

 

[heymrdj]

Obligatory G35/350Z/IS250/350

You could easily find any of those cars with low mileage on the used market in that price range.

IMHO, those cars look very rice and race, not very much professional regality to them. I don't know the IS 250/350 is ok, but definitely have some Honda Accord boredome to them I'd definitely have to see one in person to pass any judgement.

 

[slugg]

Obligatory "$25k is a college price??!!?!?!"

 

[heymrdj]

Obligatory "$25k is a college price??!!?!?!"

Out of college with a nice job. Think 25 year old kind of range. Not IN college, that's researved for the 15 year old beaters.

 

[SithSolo1]

I'd rather drive some "rice and race" G35/IS350 then some "regality" D-bag 3-Series/C-class. If my boss looks down on me because I drive what I want and not what he/she likes then I don't think I'd want to be working for them.

 

[CraigRT]

I would no doubt get something used.

Used Accord, G, Maxima, etc.

 

[heymrdj]

I'd rather drive some "rice and race" G35/IS350 then some "regality" D-bag 3-Series/C-class. If my boss looks down on me because I drive what I want and not what he/she likes then I don't think I'd want to be working for them.

You're overblowing the situation. If you're in front of clients all day, do you believe that they do take appearance on how you dress, or is it ok with them if you come in with bed hair and a torn night shirt?

On your car claims, I kind of like the 3 series, not very fond of the C class. Not sure why you see them as d-bag cars. Nor do I understand why you feel the need to get so inflamed by the thread.

 

[slugg]

Lexus IS350 is awesome.

How about an older Cadillac CTS-V?

 

[kornphlake]

People will judge you based on what you drive, if you drive something that is too nice the big wigs will wonder where you're getting the money from. You can't fool the big wigs with the car you drive, they already know how much you make and they're not big wigs because they are stupid. Everybody knows what a cell phone costs, it's not hard to guess what you're paying for rent, auto insurance rates are easy to guess, that cup of Starbucks coffee you carry into the office every morning wasn't free... it doesn't take a lot of imagination to figure out you can't realistically afford the lifestyle you are trying to portray and a $450/mo car payment unless you live with your mother, do you want the big wigs to assume you're a 25 year old professional and still living with your mother?

Nobody expects you to drive a luxury class vehicle to your first job out of college, even if you are making just shy of $20/hr (that's what 40k/yr?) People will expect you to drive a Jetta, Corolla, Mazda 3, Focus, etc. Not everybody you work with spends their lunch break on ATG, most will think any new car is pretty nice rather it cost $15k or $40k, as long as you keep it clean and don't drive it like you stole it in the company parking lot.

 

[SithSolo1]

I'm not inflamed. There is nothing ricer/race about G35/37 or IS250/350 just like there is nothing inherently D-bag about the 3-Series or C-class. Thats just stereotyping. All of them are valid used business cars in that price range. Others include the Caddy CTS, Audi A4, and Acura TL. Going with your dress analogy: If a client is going to look down on you it won't be because you drive a certain brand, they'll judge you because you bought in a certain price bracket. Driving a 3-Series vs a 5/7-Series.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

A used Mercedes C class looks pro.

 

[CraigRT]

Nobody expects you to drive a luxury class vehicle to your first job out of college, even if you are making just shy of $20/hr (that's what 40k/yr?) People will expect you to drive a Jetta, Corolla, Mazda 3, Focus, etc. Not everybody you work with spends their lunch break on ATG, most will think any new car is pretty nice rather it cost $15k or $40k, as long as you keep it clean and don't drive it like you stole it in the company parking lot.

I agree with this. I am happy driving my 2011 Civic. It is a reliable, practical car that gets the job done exactly how it's suppose to. I could have gotten a flashier car but in the end this one is fantastic on gas and is comfortable for my commute.

That being said, I am 30 and have been out of school a long time. I just no longer see the need to spend a lot on a car when what I have is all I need.

 

[DougK62]

I definitely recommend that you don't go TOO nice. Used luxury car can be a bad idea in some cases. You don't want your employer to think they're paying the newb just out of college too much money. Get a modest but fun compact car. Mazda 3, Focus, Cruze, etc. and keep it clean.

 

[JulesMaximus]

IMHO, those cars look very rice and race, not very much professional regality to them. I don't know the IS 250/350 is ok, but definitely have some Honda Accord boredome to them I'd definitely have to see one in person to pass any judgement.

I alternate between riding a motorcycle or a 9 year old Nissan Maxima to work. I don't give a crap what anyone thinks of what I choose to commute in. I used to commute by bicycle and still would if I lived close enough. Honestly, I'd respect a guy more for bicycling to work everyday than if he drove a Porsche.

My wife has an IS250. It's a decent car but it is smallish. Kind of wish we bought her the GS instead.

 

[brainhulk]

volkswagen CC. I don't know about their reliablity these days, but it sure does have the professional look

http://www.edmunds.com/volkswagen/cc/2009/consumer-reviews.html

 

[BoberFett]

People will judge you based on what you drive, if you drive something that is too nice the big wigs will wonder where you're getting the money from. You can't fool the big wigs with the car you drive, they already know how much you make and they're not big wigs because they are stupid. Everybody knows what a cell phone costs, it's not hard to guess what you're paying for rent, auto insurance rates are easy to guess, that cup of Starbucks coffee you carry into the office every morning wasn't free... it doesn't take a lot of imagination to figure out you can't realistically afford the lifestyle you are trying to portray and a $450/mo car payment unless you live with your mother, do you want the big wigs to assume you're a 25 year old professional and still living with your mother?

Nobody expects you to drive a luxury class vehicle to your first job out of college, even if you are making just shy of $20/hr (that's what 40k/yr?) People will expect you to drive a Jetta, Corolla, Mazda 3, Focus, etc. Not everybody you work with spends their lunch break on ATG, most will think any new car is pretty nice rather it cost $15k or $40k, as long as you keep it clean and don't drive it like you stole it in the company parking lot.

This.

$20/hr probably sounds like a lot to a fresh college grad, but really if you consider that "landing it big" you'll find it going quickly. Add full coverage insurance, fuel, etc and your "affordable" car suddenly starts costing you 30% of your net income.

For the record, I drive a 98 Lincoln that I bought used for $4500. And I make a helluva lot more than $20/hr. The CEO has yet to scold me for driving it.

 

[senseamp]

This would be a good SAT question:

Which one of these statements doesn't belong with others:
a: "just shy of 20/hr"
b: "happen to land it big"
c: "regal feel"
d: "a nice job"

 

[96Firebird]

Haha, and I consider myself making $50k out of college average at best. Still driving around in my '95 Olds Cutlass while I pay off the student loans... Don't really care how others see me in it, and I WILL get an LS1 Trans Am this spring. I've been putting it off for too long now.

 

[soccerballtux]

professional look is entirely about how much money you pay for it. That's why BMW, Mercedes, Acura, Lexus command a premium. There are no "professional" cars that cost <$25k.
Your best bet is a used BMW coupe 325/335 series, but those are going to be out of your price range.

In this market you should definitely buy a used car first and save up a bit in case the market contracts more and in case you get laid off for sucking.

 

[JulesMaximus]

This would be a good SAT question:

LOL! I wasn't going to bring that up.

 

[soccerballtux]

Haha, and I consider myself making $50k out of college average at best. Still driving around in my '95 Olds Cutlass while I pay off the student loans... Don't really care how others see me in it

This is the right attitude.

 

[soccerballtux]

Out of college with a nice job. Think 25 year old kind of range. Not IN college, that's researved for the 15 year old beaters.

$20/hour, engineering, and "nice job" doesn't sound right. What school did you go to? Whats your major? Did you negotiate any?

 

[soccerballtux]

I definitely recommend that you don't go TOO nice. Used luxury car can be a bad idea in some cases. You don't want your employer to think they're paying the newb just out of college too much money. Get a modest but fun compact car. Mazda 3, Focus, Cruze, etc. and keep it clean.

At $20/hour they won't think that.