I am a long time poster here, however, not using my name this time, due to the subject.

Since I started buying and renting houses a litle over a dacade ago, I have been very blessed with income. My average house rents for 1200 per month, I have quite a few paid off, so you can imagine, I make a heck of a lot of money. Even those that still have a mortgage, I clear 600-700 per month. I bought them right.

So yesterday after wanting one for a couple of years I finally bought my dream car. A new Camano SS, Convertible. BRIGHT YELLOW. This thing can be seen a mile away. I am worried about the message this will send to my tenants, and my future prospects. I am sure, they will see it as I cruze around town, and show up for showing in this thing. After all, they paid for it.

All this is due to real estate. I started with 5 k to my name for a down payment on a house in 2003. I could of never arived here without Gods blessings, and rental houses.

I have to admit, I usually drive the lower-end car when I meet with tenants or applicants. We definitely don't drive up in my wife's 1970 Chevelle SS for those sorts of visits.

We had a tenant see us at a car show with that car once. It was obvious that it was ours since she saw us in it and such. Things actually changed a bit with her after that. You could tell she had this idea that we had more money (even though, at the time, we really didn't have a ton -- we saved a great deal to get that Chevelle and put a lot of work into it ourselves).

But the point is still the same: Yes, they will likely see you differently once they see you in that sort of vehicle. :)

- John...

I make sure to show up to see tenants in my mini-van full of tools and stuff, or my son's beater.

Some folks are jealous and live with a spirit of envy. You will never change the person, so the best you can do is make reasonable effort to avoid the fall out (i.e. don't present targets that make you look like a good candidate for a law suit).

I drive my 1999 "arrest me red" Camaro when meeting tenants. It's an older car now, but still looks very nice. Even though a little of the paint is chipping off the front bumper, I still get comments from applicants occasionally: "Nice car!". It's nice but not "fancy" if you know what I mean. Standard 6-cylinder, no mods or fancy paint job, or booming stereo system.

Our other car is a candy apple red (same as "arrest me red") 2004 Dodge Durango Limited Edition with a Hemi. I use it to haul my trailer and meet tenants in it occasionally.

These are the only two vehicles we own. Both were "hot" cars/SUVs when first purchased. Now they are just well-maintained older cars. Probably nicer than what 70% of our tenants/prospects drive (we cater mostly to lower-middle income). It is not reasonable for me to buy a junker car just to make them feel more comfortable.

That said, if I had a 2014 SS Camaro, no I would not drive it to the rentals in case someone was in a bad mood and wanted to door ding me or throw some eggs. But if they saw me around town, I'd wave and smile.

I am not ashamed of my success.

Leave that new yellow Camaro at home unless all of your tenants drive the same or better. Never advertise the fact you may have money to burn.

Sid, I do enjoy the old cars as well. Have an 81 Z-28, and a 73 Supper Bettle. My dream is to build a 10 car garage out back, and fill it up with collectables. Right now I only have covered parking for 5, so I am at my limit with my daily drivers as well.

Here's a good example: One of my fellow LLs drove his drop top Mercedes to one of our LL meetings instead of his usual Whatever sedan.

My opinion of him changed after that. I asked among LL friends and, yes, RE has been good to him. Before seeing that car, I thought he was another one of us Plebs just getting by.

I wouldn't drive it. I drive a truck or beater car. Would like to get a van or car with business decals to separate personal from business.

Like Cjo'h, cars have never impressed me much either. Can someone tell me why people are fascinated with cars and will their last dollar to get their dream car?

Barbara, You are right, for 8-9 years I worked my tail off. Sometimes 7 days a week for months on end. Now, I sit back and collect rent, working occasinally to keep the houses up.

I have a good car, an Explorer, a van and a Taurus wagon. I drive up in the van most of the time. No reason to rub that car in people's faces and that is also how people get carjacked.

A nice little plain junker would be fine. If you were nearby I would offer you the Taurus for a little money. It has the good engine, it's a 2oo2 with just 25K miles on it.

Can you bring your stump grinder over and demonstrate?! ;)

Bill [TX]

In much of our society you "are" what you drive. People buy cars to stroke their egos. I have a colossal ego, so I drive a big fancy 4X4 truck! ;-) I believe in enjoying the benefits of one's wealth, but not smearing it in other folks face. I'd really like a new Escalade and a King Ranch pick-up. But I can't see throwing 150 grand plus into the toilet.

I think you have to dress and drive according to the role you are playing at the moment. When meeting tenants I usually drive either my 12 year old Mitsubishi Lancer or my Enterprise rental truck.

I get a kick out of the real estate shows. They are all driving fancy cars. Look at the guy in Vegas - he drives like a Ferrari or something, probably rents it for the show. Remember Armando Montelongo and his Hummer?

My main mentor in real estate (besides you guys...) was/is Marshall Reddick. Every time I see him he's driving a minivan. I'm sure he could buy a Rolls if he wanted. Maybe he has one stashed in the garage. But he doesn't flaunt it at work.

I drive my old pickup truck toward everything related to the day to day of rentals.

I saw a guy driving an old-old school Honda Civic down the freeway the other day, cherried out and looked nice !

I also saw an old Datsun Z in decent shape. Those things are timeless !

I was thinking about picking up an older, uncommon car like this. I just like the idea of keeping some history alive.

I think a guy could get away with driving one of these to the properties.

I also admire some of the modern small cars. Such as Mini or SmartCar or the small hybrids. I think this clean look is not pretentious and would be an acceptable landlord vehicle.

My daily driver is early 90's Honda Accord. I think all my tenants have better cars than mine.

ROTFLMAO!

RR - if I showed up driving a "Smart Car" I'd never be taken seriously. And in a Mini Cooper they just assume you are gay. Well OK, I am gay, but I'd rather die than be seen driving such an aberration of an automobile!

No, I drive a big 4X4 truck with a gun rack. And tomorrow I've got to drive down by the border. The gun rack will have a loaded AR15 in it!

Good, I touched a nerve here. I was thinking you'd fallen asleep.

I'm not sure if you can fit a gun rack into a Mini Cooper.

Really? Have you seen the movie Italian Job ?

I do like the SmartCar concept, but I think they are too small to be on the freeway. They seem unsafe to me.

I've been picking up trash on a Saturday afternoon. The deadbeats (3 generations on disability - there must be a scam to get that so easily) in a station wagon knew that I owned the 22 units place. Maybe because I cared how it looked?

Psychologically, tenants love to justify their rip offs by demonizing their LL. Now, it's okay to rip-off a bad guy, right?!?

My truck had 36x k miles on the clock and still, the windshield got smashed the night after I called Animal Control on an illegal pitbull.

Chances are , you will be loathed, no matter what you drive and wear.

LTD: You said that you didn't want to drive the Mini Cooper because people assume gay -- but then that you "drive a big 4X4 truck with a gun rack". No offense, but isn't that what the normal lesbian drives in AZ? :)

(I seriously mean that just in jest! I got into this business because of my gay aunt who, when I was a kid, I thought was the coolest ever because she owned apartments and fixed them up herself and everything! Anywho -- I'm sure if she lived in AZ, she'd be driving a 4x4 with a gun rack. She's in Canada, so no gun rack, but you get the point!)

;)

- John...

Not saying...LOL I have been towing around used jet ski's for 20 years. Plus boating that long as well. I know what I am getting myself into. :) Have you priced renting them?

Not Saying,

Howdy to another person who appreciates a NICE set of wheels!

I say depends.

I drive my Guards Red Porsche or my Black Porsche or my red Corvette to meet residents for lease signings, drop off keys, etc.

I can do that because they know me as the MANAGER. Everyone has a Porsche, Corvette, or Camaro story and love to tell it. I have grey temples and say "I raised my kids and now it's my turn" and they chuckle WITH their new manager.

If the residents knew me as the OWNER the cars would take the focus off our business relationship and turn it toward a comparison of wealth ro jealousy. (as in "you took my hard earned money and bought a car I cannot afford")

Esp the Camaro as it carries a high emotional value.

I choose not to drive them to court in case someone comes out mad with a key to scratch my paint.

I DO NOT drive them to post eviction notices on doors.

Driving a 2 seater also helps me keep my focus on DELEGATING rather than running to Lowes for parts or hauling tools.

As you have already discovered, it feels AWFULLY GOOD to drive YOUR car to make a big fat deposit!

I'm leaning toward a Speed Yellow Porsche next.