Fusion Hybrid- great deals too
Which car for sales rep?
- Thread starter krismoriah72
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My Uncle is a sales rep for various hardware/and plumbing lines, doesn't do quite the miles you are talking about, (maybe 30k mi/year) His last few cars, all but one purchased new:
1995 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI 275k mi in 10 years, demoted in 05 to spare car status.(Cash for Clunker'd w/ around 300k mi)
2006 Lincoln Zephyr* 90k miles in 3 years demoted to second car, Sold off summer 2014
2009 Huyndai Tuscon (bought with C4C money)traded in 2 years later
2011 Lincoln MKX(Purchased used, w/75k mi. traded in @150k mi)
2013 Lincoln MKX still driving, unk mi, but considering trading in.
*Lincoln Zephyr, Fancy Fusion, single year model, 2007 renamed MKZ refreshed design, and powertrain(replaced duratech 3.0/asin 6 speed, with 3.5 cyclone/ford 6f.)
1995 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI 275k mi in 10 years, demoted in 05 to spare car status.(Cash for Clunker'd w/ around 300k mi)
2006 Lincoln Zephyr* 90k miles in 3 years demoted to second car, Sold off summer 2014
2009 Huyndai Tuscon (bought with C4C money)traded in 2 years later
2011 Lincoln MKX(Purchased used, w/75k mi. traded in @150k mi)
2013 Lincoln MKX still driving, unk mi, but considering trading in.
*Lincoln Zephyr, Fancy Fusion, single year model, 2007 renamed MKZ refreshed design, and powertrain(replaced duratech 3.0/asin 6 speed, with 3.5 cyclone/ford 6f.)
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I have been a surgical device sales rep for the past 18 years and have travelled 35-50k every year. You will never catch me in a small SUV or car. I have seen them pancaked and torn to bits on the New Jersey turnpike, i80, and i81. I have learned what is most important to me is being safe and comfortable on those long highway semi-truck filled drives. This helps me arrive refreshed and feeling good for my customers as well as return home alive. I have many stories but only two fender benders over all those miles. Thankfully I was in a big SUV.
After running Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, and Lexus all into the ground, my favorite (aside from a 911) has been a Chevy Tahoe - loaded with everything! (I get paid about $850 a month plus gas).
One last thought - I discovered early on that the job is the money maker, not the car. Invest in the best you can afford with the allowance and the car will pay you back dividends.
After running Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, and Lexus all into the ground, my favorite (aside from a 911) has been a Chevy Tahoe - loaded with everything! (I get paid about $850 a month plus gas).
One last thought - I discovered early on that the job is the money maker, not the car. Invest in the best you can afford with the allowance and the car will pay you back dividends.
Honda Fit or HRV
The 2017 Civic hatchback might work, too. Should be on sale in a few months.
The Elantra GT does have that 10-year warranty. Ditto the Kia Soul
The 2017 Civic hatchback might work, too. Should be on sale in a few months.
The Elantra GT does have that 10-year warranty. Ditto the Kia Soul
If he wants 300k trouble free ... Toyota Corolla. End of story. 2013-2016.
If he wants boku space. Used Scion xB 2013-2015.
If he wants boku space. Used Scion xB 2013-2015.
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Kia Soul
Hyundai Tucson
Kia Sportage
Chevy Trax
Buick Encore
Honda HR-V
Jeep Renegade
I'm all cramped up and feel like I need to get out and stretch after reading that list ...
Kia Soul
Hyundai Tucson
Kia Sportage
Chevy Trax
Buick Encore
Honda HR-V
Jeep Renegade
I'm all cramped up and feel like I need to get out and stretch after reading that list ...
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Kia Soul
Hyundai Tucson
Kia Sportage
Chevy Trax
Buick Encore
Honda HR-V
Jeep Renegade
I'm all cramped up and feel like I need to get out and stretch after reading that list ...
All have a good amount of room up front and a higher ride height so they're easy to get in and out of. Fold the back seat down and you can load many cases of wine in the back!
Originally Posted By: dishdude
Kia Soul
Hyundai Tucson
Kia Sportage
Chevy Trax
Buick Encore
Honda HR-V
Jeep Renegade
I'm all cramped up and feel like I need to get out and stretch after reading that list ...
All have a good amount of room up front and a higher ride height so they're easy to get in and out of. Fold the back seat down and you can load many cases of wine in the back!
wemay
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PriusV
KIA Soul
KIA Soul
Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
two year old camry 4 banger for about $15-16k, very comfortable for long distance driving.
You can pick up a new one for a grand or two more. Don't think a Camry will serve the purpose though, probably need the room of a Rav4.
two year old camry 4 banger for about $15-16k, very comfortable for long distance driving.
You can pick up a new one for a grand or two more. Don't think a Camry will serve the purpose though, probably need the room of a Rav4.
Me? I would get a low mileage, well maintained 2014 Acura TSX station wagon. Reliable with a 2.4L four cylinder and a five speed automatic. No one wanted them, and you never see them on the road so good luck finding a used one.
I would NOT suggest what vehicle for your friend. I don't care if you suggest the most reliable car on the planet. There are even Corollas with the rare engine and transmission failures.
If he buys something at your suggestion and the transmission needs a $3500 rebuild two years later...?
I would NOT suggest what vehicle for your friend. I don't care if you suggest the most reliable car on the planet. There are even Corollas with the rare engine and transmission failures.
If he buys something at your suggestion and the transmission needs a $3500 rebuild two years later...?
Depending on room needed...new Camry...right now they have 0% financing and $2500 rebate.
VW Sportwagen.
Ford C-Max.
It's basically a tall, hybrid Focus hatch. Fairly fun to drive, 40 MPG all day long, comfortable, decent cargo capacity.
And used ones with 30k miles are often less than 15 grand.
It's on my short list to replace the xB in my sig when I give it to my son next year.
It's basically a tall, hybrid Focus hatch. Fairly fun to drive, 40 MPG all day long, comfortable, decent cargo capacity.
And used ones with 30k miles are often less than 15 grand.
It's on my short list to replace the xB in my sig when I give it to my son next year.
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Originally Posted By: krismoriah72
Buddy of mine is a sales rep for a wine company locally..they used to provide cars Kias..but the owner has since changed the company car policy and making them drive their own vehicles. His route is 200 miles plus per day 5 days a week, plus the vehicle will be his personal vehicle. He has to carry signs and sometimes boxes of wine and merchandising stuff..so a small suv or the like would be best. He did make some good points.. He will be driving around 60K miles a year in this vehicle so a 5 year note would have the vehicle over 300000 miles when its paid for.. Vehicle will see all 4 seasons as well.
So basically he is looking for a low maintenance vehicle that can see 300K miles with the best fuel mileage and decent cargo space. And be able to somewhat enjoy the drive.
My vote was for a couple of year old Rav4.
what would you buy if u were him and why?
PS. he is getting paid mileage so except for what he does on his own time is paid for...but the tires and maintenance are on him.
No-brainer: Toyota Prius or Ford C-Max. With that kind of miles, nothing else makes much sense except maybe an Escape hybrid.
However, he should at least test-drive a Mitsubishi Mirage with a 5-speed. (My father in law does essentially the same job, and is quite happy with his.) He reports it ill swallow a large display, multiple cases of booze, and still get 40+MPG. If he's willing to drive a cheap car, just have him run the numbers...and bear in mind, he can get a Mirage for about $9000 NEW.
Buddy of mine is a sales rep for a wine company locally..they used to provide cars Kias..but the owner has since changed the company car policy and making them drive their own vehicles. His route is 200 miles plus per day 5 days a week, plus the vehicle will be his personal vehicle. He has to carry signs and sometimes boxes of wine and merchandising stuff..so a small suv or the like would be best. He did make some good points.. He will be driving around 60K miles a year in this vehicle so a 5 year note would have the vehicle over 300000 miles when its paid for.. Vehicle will see all 4 seasons as well.
So basically he is looking for a low maintenance vehicle that can see 300K miles with the best fuel mileage and decent cargo space. And be able to somewhat enjoy the drive.
My vote was for a couple of year old Rav4.
what would you buy if u were him and why?
PS. he is getting paid mileage so except for what he does on his own time is paid for...but the tires and maintenance are on him.
No-brainer: Toyota Prius or Ford C-Max. With that kind of miles, nothing else makes much sense except maybe an Escape hybrid.
However, he should at least test-drive a Mitsubishi Mirage with a 5-speed. (My father in law does essentially the same job, and is quite happy with his.) He reports it ill swallow a large display, multiple cases of booze, and still get 40+MPG. If he's willing to drive a cheap car, just have him run the numbers...and bear in mind, he can get a Mirage for about $9000 NEW.
I wouldn't want to pay for a vehicle that I had to put that many miles on per year. Sounds like he is getting the short end of the deal unless he is getting reimbursed for it. That's $30k a year in reimbursements - sure it's a lot of fuel and such, but that should be applied to paying it off in sooner than 5 years.
I agree with everyone above who suggested anything larger than a Camry. If traffic/other motorists doesn't kill you, then the prolonged NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) of a small/medium sized car will. Not only will you be tired and look the part, but your concentration would suffer and possibly lead to accidents.
I learnt at a young age that life on the road KILLS you! We used to drive our 97 Escort 8 hours each way (once per year) to visit family years ago. After we arrived we were irritible, exhausted and only wanted to sleep. Socializing and visiting was the last thing on our minds. We started renting larger cars for these trips as a way to circumvent having to buy a new car (insurance, monthly fees, depreciation etc). The cars we rented included two Cadillac STS's, a DTS, Impala, Volvo XC70, Pontiac Grand Prix etc. Obviously some we re better than others and had better seats etc (Caddy and Volvo were TOPS). After the trip in the Volvo, we felt like we just started. Those who've never experienced this feeling really have no idea what they are missing out on.
Anything with a LONG wheelbase such as a late model V6 Impala, Avalon (both very highly rated) or similar would eat up the miles effortlessly.
I learnt at a young age that life on the road KILLS you! We used to drive our 97 Escort 8 hours each way (once per year) to visit family years ago. After we arrived we were irritible, exhausted and only wanted to sleep. Socializing and visiting was the last thing on our minds. We started renting larger cars for these trips as a way to circumvent having to buy a new car (insurance, monthly fees, depreciation etc). The cars we rented included two Cadillac STS's, a DTS, Impala, Volvo XC70, Pontiac Grand Prix etc. Obviously some we re better than others and had better seats etc (Caddy and Volvo were TOPS). After the trip in the Volvo, we felt like we just started. Those who've never experienced this feeling really have no idea what they are missing out on.
Anything with a LONG wheelbase such as a late model V6 Impala, Avalon (both very highly rated) or similar would eat up the miles effortlessly.
Prius V
Run the cost of ownership numbers against anything else. He'll save/make thousands more with the Prius.
This assumed IRS reimbursement rate per mile and not getting a company gas card.
If not that much room is needed, a CPO'd Prius would be great (unless he likes the ugly new one)
Run the cost of ownership numbers against anything else. He'll save/make thousands more with the Prius.
This assumed IRS reimbursement rate per mile and not getting a company gas card.
If not that much room is needed, a CPO'd Prius would be great (unless he likes the ugly new one)
Hopefully, he's getting an $850/mo. car allowance plus fuel costs. Even $850/mo with fuel "might" cover it. On the surface that seems like enough. But 60k miles a year is a ton.
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