Hello -- I am a financial planner and it's about time to get a new car... and I'm thinking since I go on many appointments with prospects, it would be nice to have a car that makes a GREAT first impression.

Perhaps, I could even use the car as a way of getting appointments (eg. "So how about we meet this Friday for lunch? I can pick you up in my Lamborghini.").

...but since I will be going on appointments -- Mon - Fri, and sometimes Sat -- will this car be okay? I hear something about exotics breaking down a lot -- and I need something I can drive everyday.

I was considering a Bentley -- esp. since it's more of a 'high-class/prestige' look -- which is more appropriate for my field ... but a Lamborghini stands out a lot more than a Bentley... which stand out a lot more than Benz/BMW (which are a dime a dozen here in Los Angeles).

BTW -- I would be going on 25 appointments per week -- 5 appointments per day (per week day, that is) -- approximate driving per week day would be AT MOST 50 miles -- and 50 more for weekend fun. So 300 miles/week -- daily driven -- maybe I'll give the car a rest on Sunday.

What do you Lambo owners think?

Thanks for all your assistance!

-Mike K.
Los Angeles, CA.

Sorry, but the Gallardo is a driver's car, you picked the wrong Lambo! Since you seem to be interested in posing and impressing people, I would suggest you get into a Murci!

A Lambo is no Taxi, but frankly if you picked me up in one, I'd think, man this guy charges too much!

15,000 miles a year for a gallardo is going to cost you alot. after three years you might have trouble with reliability not no mention the depreciation.

Buy a Ferrari.

Great first impressions?

Warren Buffet drives a Lincoln. (Net worth $44,000,000,000.00, yes it looks more impressive when you see all the zeros after the 44)

I think that if you want to make a great first impression, dazzle them with your knowledge of investments. Prove to them that you are making them money and that you have their financial interests at heart.

If you have the ability, and the desire, by all means buy the car for whatever reason you chose.

In my particular case, I bought my Countach for me, not for anyone else. If I am out for a Sunday drive and somebody else sees the car and appreciates it, that's great. If they don't, thats okay too.....

Just my $00,000,000,000.02.

Thanks for the responses.

I do have a high level of knowledge of investing. I'm also an angel investor; and a few days ago I also bought a decent stake in a radio station once owned by a billionaire. So product knowledge is no problem for me.

Of course, I also dress appropriately when going on appointments. I also follow-through with great service when I get the accounts. I also do get referrals.

...I'm thinking this Lambo could be my unique "thing" -- where every other investment advisor, financial planner, whatever -- where they all drive Mercedes/BMW/Lexus, and the occasional Porsche... I think I'd be the only one with the Lambo. I don't mind if the value goes down over the next few years. I'll just get another one at that point then if I can see a noticeable increase in business that justifies getting the car.

There's a real estate agent who works the westside in LA, including Malibu, Pacific Palisades (where I live) -- and she takes her clients around in a Bentley sedan. She's one of the top 1% in the country... that's actually where I got the idea from. Guess how I found out about her Bentley? My ex-neighbor who was selling his house was bragging to me about his RE agent who drives a Bentley. Yeah sure, he himself is rich, drives a Porsche, lived in a $3M+ house -- but it still impressed him and he gave her his business. I think the commission she got for selling that house was over $100,000.

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Now that we (hopefully) got that out of the way (about impressing people and whatnot), I was wondering whether or not for at least the first 2-3 years or so if it would be reliable as a daily driver or if I'd probably have to give the car a rest every other day or so... obviously I'm totally ignorant when it comes to exotic cars (or any car, for that matter!).

Thanks again...

-MIke K.
Los Angeles, CA.

I drive my Spyder often...at times a daily driver.

Here's my take...if you are going to cart your clients around to lunch or a quick spin you will have 2 issues..

1. if both of you have a briefcase you'll be challenged for somewhere to put them
2. if there is heavy traffic and you will be stop and start driving you'll eat the clutches and risk overheating (well maybe thats just me in Dubai)

But if you are looking for wow factor, the gallardo is fine...there are a load of them where I live and people still take a double take

__________________
Proud Owner
2006 Gallardo Spyder

Here is my take on this - the Gallardo is an awesome car and I love it. A couple things come to mind about this:

- There is very little room in the G. So if they are tall or overweight, he'll probably be very uncomfortable
- No storage space
- Pretty loud, if you plan on talking while driving
- Not a good car for stop and go traffic

I got my lambo for me and actually I tend to try to avoid other people. I would much rather find an open road with zero other people than a busy city with thousands of other drivers. Then again I hate people

At the same time, I always wondered about this 'financial planner' job. If these guys were so good, why would they work 9-5's for me when they could invest their own money. So having the lambo may convey that you made it yourself, by investing your own money and now are helping other people achieve their dreams.

And yet once again on the flip side of the coin, it could make you come off to be an ostentatious prick to some clients

if you do buy one, don't get an e-gear. It's a pain in the behind when you're driving slow or in traffic. Everyone will think you can't handle the clutch when in fact it's because you can't talk Italian to the gearbox..