The plan for the Big Daddy Caddy unraveled:
Jim the Realtor
Jim is a long-time local realtor who comments daily here on his blog, bubbleinfo.com which began in September, 2005. Stick around!
The plan for the Big Daddy Caddy unraveled:
Tricked out Hummer. Something like this one:
http://www.wallpaperbase.com/wallpapers/cars/hummer/hummer_8.jpg
And you’re probably still in the doghouse with wifey for making the attempt….Now get a sky blue convertible caddy like Nolte’s in 48 hours.
My suggestion: Buick Enclave.
VW Bus with a JTR Vinyl Logo Wrap – it goes slow so you’d get even better video cruising the coast, and it can have a small fridge to keep cold beverages for your clients.
http://www.geekradio.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/09/vw_bus_updated2.jpg
It would be the Leucadia ride…your listings in that zip should skyrocket as everyone says they want to keep it ‘funky’….or do they only want the MBZ Realtor when the rubber meets the road?
Something that gets excellent gas mileage, low emmissions, hands free cellular, interior and exterior video mounts with on/off/toggle/zoom control built into the steering wheel, and comes standard with auto-pilot.
Oh, and – at built-in GPS with ice cream truck locator to within a 12 mile radius.
Thanks JP2 and welcome back. My first car was a 1965 Buick Skylark 4-door, my grandpa’s old car. I put glasspacks on it.
Why not an ice cream truck?
McLean, VA – Freddie Mac (NYSE:FRE) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®) in which the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 5.06 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending April 29, 2010, down slightly from last week when it averaged 5.07 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 4.78 percent.
Hey Jim, you made a right turn on a red light where it isn’t allowed! lol Right at the corner of Del Mar Heights and Seagrove Street there is a “no right turn on red” sign. I live just around the corner and I’m tempted to do it all the time….hahaha Most people don’t even notice the sign. Actually, wifey and I (my wifey that is, not yours) walked right by you with the dog when you were filming on Seagrove, I said to her, “hey I think that might be Jim the Realtor”, but wasn’t quite sure. Now that I know it was you, really wish I stopped to say hi!!!
*Giggle* Find an (empty) ice cream truck and trick it out like Sol in #5 suggests! The only problem is what tune you’d play, JtR, while driving around…
BMW has a new 5 series for 2011. You have to drive something with class to balance out that ol’ sanford and son truck you drive.
How about a Corvette? This smiling Realtor has one: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2582/4006664811_9dace0cbfe.jpg
The old name-badge-and-tennis-shoes look. At least he’s trying to hide his gut.
Jim – you need to get a custom plate like the “Deal Dunn” guy…class it up a bit!
Jim, the only car you should be looking at is the Wagon Queen Family Truckster.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagon_Queen_Family_Truckster
Dump the Caddy dream Jim, it’s time to upgrade to a reliable import. Consider a 1998-2003 Lexus GS. There are many for sale, so prices are very reasonable and have usually been owned by mature pro’s, so most have been well cared for. Your family and customers will thank you.
Audi Q7
Best car I ever have owned!
do the 3.6 or diesel
i just did engine mounts in our MBZ as well as water pump and brakes all around for 3k…welcome to the party Jim!
It is amazing to me that as bad as things are and may get again, there is no motivation to buy an american made car.
Assuming you need the bling realtor ride (i.e. no econoboxes, no beaters)…
Assuming you will buy new and it will be titled to the business, you probably want to lease for the 1st 3-4 years so something with a good residual value (Lexus, Acura)
Assuming you need four doors and reasonable space…Lexus GS/LS/ES or Acura TL
I say Lexus GS350 although you should be able to find a deal on the current style 5 series.
If you buy used I would go Lexus gs350/430 or Acura TL/MDX (old style)
If you’re a baller, get a Merc E55 AMG and be done
Cadillac CTS-V
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac_CTS-V
Engine:
6.2 L S/C LSA V8 (556 hp)
Transmission(s):
6-speed 6L90 automatic
6-speed Tremec TR-6060 manual
swm,
Welcome to SoCal
If you are looking for new, I like the new Lincoln MKS.
I feel sorry for auto consumers who purchase an inferior car out of patriotism. It’s an egregious misallocation of capital. Make a crappy car, slap a flag on it, sell it for more than it’s worth. Rinse & Repeat. What do you get? GM, gov’t bailouts, fat & stupid unions, etc.
2005+ Jaguar XJ8 L (Long wheelbase)
Most bang for your buck used car available IMO. Contrary to popular belief, these cars are actually reliable and fairly fuel efficient to boot. This is a $100K car, with 18K miles, for 20K.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-Jaguar-Super-V8-Rear-Entertainment-Rare-Car-/130386692567?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item1e5ba709d7
Just noticed the starting bid was 20k, my bad. I thought that was a bit cheap. But you can get the non-super LWBs in the low 20s with low miles.
I like the idea of a Lexus or Acura. Richard has a RSX-S and loves it. I have a Mazda Miata, er, MX-5, and also love it. Can’t go wrong with a Japanese car. And if you get one, Richard has found the most opinionated crazy mechanic dude who does great work on the cars while constantly rambling about how awful American cars are. He’s worth a video. 😉
-Erica
1982 Chevy El Camino, Black, 20 inch Iroc Rims. It’s a car….it’s a truck….car…..truck….
How about a red Corvette ZL1 top down and cruise that will get you through any security gate or a new 0% financing Yoda Cambry that will take you anywhere you go i have a 2008 and love it not concerted about out of control issues because i am out of control myself keep up the good work and videos, we have hit a bottom but the return will take a lot of time until the 12% unemployment rate goes down and consumer confidence returns and we all start shopping a Nordstroms aqain and not WalMarts
My ’91 Lexus with 275K miles looks like new when I clean it up. Only major repairs are to replace a/c and tranny, but not bad in that mileage. The mechanic says the new ones are junk compared to the old ones; plastic versus metal parts. Pick one up used less than $5K and expect $2,000 in service cost per year.
My entry:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/bfs/1716535488.html
Very classy, and for SWM, it’s American made!
Hi Jim,
Go Green, Toyota Prius.
Aljanet – the greenest car is a used car as it spares the massive energy needed to create a new car…green or otherwise.
A used hummer is a greener choice than a new Prius!
Late 70’s/early 80s was not a banner year for GM vehicles. I’m amazed there’s still a ’79 Seville out there that’s running. Sort of.
I once drove an ’81 Fleetwood Brougham from Chicago to LA, as a “driveaway”. What a POS that thing was. Remember the 4-6-8? It was like driving a three-ton Chevette.
I still say a recent used Maserati Quattroporte. It has a Ferrari engine and can be bought for under $50K with only 30-40K miles.
You wanna stand out from the crowd? That’s your ride.
That Hummer in comment #1 is like a giant a**hole indicator light. People blocks away will see you coming and know what sort of person is behind the wheel.
I think you should get a CL550 or a CL63 AMG. Or a S550….classic!
Stay with the big Benzes….I’ve driven all of those and more and…in my opinion…they are some of the best cars (or ARE THE BEST) out there.
Or a Porsche Turbo or a Carrera S Cab.
Buy the Seville anyway, and then buy an LS drivetrain from a wrecked late model GTO, or new SS Camaro. Have a reputable shop do the transplant, which will result in a very fast and comfortable Seville pro touring car.
I say get your daughter a 1987 Yugo and keep driving the one you’re in now.
Like I said before, just get yourself a newer, lower-mile Benz of the same basic size — they’re practically giving them away these days.
p.s.: We’ve got *two* of the first generation MDXs — very hard to beat. Classy yet understated, powerful yet economic, reliable as a swiss watch.
Blissfull……I remember those 4-6-8 Caddy motors well. My dad (a realtor up in No. Cal.) bought one at the dealer auction I used to take him to back when I had a car lot. It was GM’s brilliant way to save gas by stopping the flow of fuel to pairs of cylinders when you didn’t need the power.
As I recall, GM’s official fix to this problematic motor was to just disable the system entirely and let it run on 8 cylinders all the time. Ha Ha…way to go GM, nice fix!
Jim, my wife has a Cadillac XLR that she’d sell ya cheap. It’s been back to the dealer for warranty work about a dozen times for various problems, so she’s got all the kinks worked out for ya. (Cadillac’s flagship car is a total lemon….no wonder they are going broke.)
Murf2222
I agree with Joe, you need either a long wheelbase Benz or Bimmer, especially that you drive clients in Del Mar and RSF. Long wheelbase so that the clients can be comfortable in the back seat.
My best buying experience has been to use a dealer to buy off a dealer’s auction. You get to pick and choose and dealers have no benefit in upselling you any particular car, since the cars there are sold by banks or manufacturers. In majority of cases those cars are just off lease. Banks don’t want to be sued by dealers who certainly have the means to do that, so they declare all real and imaginary issues with cars – which you read in a report.
3 year old cars drop in price the most – perhaps, because the usual lease is 3 years – so that’s your best bet.
Here are the prices that dealers pay at the auction in Riverside. 2007 CLS550C runs for ~35k, ditto for GL450 and 750LI. S550 runs for ~45k. So, if you know of any good dealer, use them – they should charge you their fee and you get a much better and safer deal than buying off a dealer’s lot. If you don’t know any, I can recommend.
Sorry for the long post – I spend so much time researching the subject when buying my cars, so wanted to share this as a small token of appreciation of what you share with us.
Not to threadjack but Arsen, I’m looking for an offlease deal on a Lexus. Can you email me with details?
Thanks
jjk34 at lycos dot com
Go for the classic car. Sure many top agents will drive a BMW, Mercedes, or Lexus, but if you want attention nothing seems to be as visually interesting as something like the Caddie you wanted.
When I drive my 1948 Chrysler New Yorker, it gets so many smiles and waves from everyone. Even more so than when driving an 80’s 911 Targa.
1948 Chrysler Video
I have seen Jim in the black Caddie phase when it was cool to flaunt success in SCA Bubble inflating period. Then the Acura SUV era prior to his daughter getting those keys and onto the S class MBZ maintenance program that almost requires a HELOC to finance! Jim has a knack for surprise so who knows whats next!!!!!
Very cool video, David. Thanks for sharing it. 🙂
Where is that, BTW? It kinda looks like the Echo Park area…?
CA renter,
On my video, we started in Long Beach (near Naples) and drove up the 605 to the oldest surviving McDonald’s in Downey.
I got her up to 70 mph without a problem. Maybe next film I’ll see what the top end speed really is!!!
Glad you liked it.
P.S. Seriously a ’48 Chrysler or something like it would be a really cool Realtor car. It probably could seat 6. The only problem is you won’t want to put that many miles on it which doesn’t help Jim since he obviously drives all day long to bring us videos.
I second the Prius recommendation…i hear you can get to places really fast…and unexpectedly! But hey, all you need to do is shift to neutral, coast and then press the start button for 5 seconds, right?
As long as you’re asking…Bentley Continental GTC, Silverlake Blue exterior, Linen interior. Just so I can live vicariously through you. LOL
i 2nd shadash’s suggestion. the ’11 looks real nice.
i also really like the all-new ’11 porsche cayenne suv which will also for the first time have a hybrid version