Best car for advertising a business... plus some other requirements.

[Cuda1447]

So I am the proud owner of a business that has made NO money so far . I'm pouring my heart and soul into this though and I really want it to work out. One of the difficulties I'm having is letting people know about what I'm doing (in a nutshell, adult sports). I'm on a budget, as I still work another job and am pulling out of my savings to pay for all costs associated with the business.... of all that said, I've been told that advertising on your vehicle is a great source for advertising.

I currently drive a 350z. I absolutely love it. My favorite car I've ever owned. Its nearly a dream car of mine. I hate to get rid of it. But unfortunately it isn't really useful for a lot of things.... like carrying anything... heh. So I think I may sell it and get a vehicle that will be useful for carrying around some equipment, towing a trailer if need be etc... So the question is, what should I get?

My first instinct was a hummer (used of course). I figured it would only be slightly more expensive than my 350z and if I got it wrapped with my company logo etc it would REALLY stand out. Probably the easiest most recognizable vehicle/head turner. The downside is the gas mileage. This vehicle will also be used as a daily driver and get me to my normal job (which is a good 50 minute drive, each way, daily). So something with significantly less MPG than 20 is worrisome.

I was thinking perhaps a Toyoto FJ. They are unique, still look good though and would be capable of hauling shit.

A truck with good gas mileage is the easiest choice, but I fear that it will blend in with every other damn truck out there with an advertisement on it, thus limiting the amount of exposure it really gets.


The other option is to keep the 350 and buy a CHEAP truck/van, wrap it... use it when needed and park it in a public area when not in use so it gets a lot of viewing.


I'm curious what you guys think of my situation?

 

[Cuda1447]

Oh, one last option. I could get a trailer hitch for my 350z. I've read that some people have done it with success. I know it sounds and probably would look ridiculous, but it would allow me to keep my beautiful car!

 

[Throckmorton]

Adult sports?? WTF is that, like nude mud wrestling?

Maybe a truck with a massive lift and a sealed bed full of mud with chicks wrestling in it as you drive down the road.

 

[Cuda1447]

Adult sports?? WTF is that, like nude mud wrestling?

Maybe a truck with a massive lift and a sealed bed full of mud with chicks wrestling in it as you drive down the road.

LoL. Maybe we should do nude wrestling?


No man, its organized adult athletic leagues. You know, Flag Football, Softball, Tennis, Kickball, Cornhole... basically whatever sports you like to play.

A lot of adults still enjoy sports but don't have a medium to really play in. Sure, you can try to find a pickup game somewhere, but what we want to do is offer a consistent league that people can sign up for and enjoy meeting people while exercising and playing whatever sport they like.

 

[Imported]

Few ideas here for a trailer on the Z.. http://my350z.com/forum/autocross-r...utox-trailer-tire-trailer-picture-thread.html

I'd keep the Z.. little biased owning a G though.

 

[Cuda1447]

Few ideas here for a trailer on the Z.. http://my350z.com/forum/autocross-r...utox-trailer-tire-trailer-picture-thread.html

I'd keep the Z.. little biased owning a G though.

Thanks Imported, I hadn't seen that thread yet. I'll definitely give it some serious consideration. To be honest, the idea of driving around with my top down hauling a trailer is just hilarious enough that I may want to do it.

 

[punjabiplaya]

you can get some used vans for pretty cheap, plus you can wrap em and have some fun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bXEVEJjYLY

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Transit Connect? Its cheap enough to buy as a second vehicle.

 

[Bl0cks]

The 350Z will be pretty eye catching as it is, and why should you car what other people think when you are pulling a trailer?

There is always the panel version of the HHR.

 

[Cuda1447]

Oh no... can't do an HHR. I had to drive that as a rental. I absolutely HATED it. I could NEVER sell my Z and get an HHR. I'd rather cut my nuts off.

 

[Cuda1447]

If I do decide to stay with the 350z, I was thinking a couple car magnets would work best? It is a black convertible. I don't want the magnets to look ghetto-ish, but at the same time I don't really want to wrap my 350, that seems a bit to permanent.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Gotta go with a big box or station wagon.

Ford Transit
Honda Element
Scion XD
Nissan Cube
Toyota Venza

 

[kornphlake]

There's probably a better way of targeting your potential customers than driving by them on the freeway. For every 1000 cars you pass there might be 1 or 2 people who notice and take interest, very few if any will remember the advertising by the time they get home. Do you remember the name of the plumber's van you passed on your way to work this morning?

I think the advertising money would be better spent on more focused marketing, then you won't have to worry about buying/selling your vehicle.

 

[PricklyPete]

Buy on old Dodge Van. Paint it like the A-Team van with huge slicks on the back...and throw some signage on that bad boy. Keep the Z.

 

[sandorski]

Something unique will stand out. Something Common people will miss. Get something you never see, like a Smart Car.

Or, pay someone to Advertise for you...cheaper than buying a Car and you could get a few Cars carrying the Ad.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Small pickup with a wrapped camper shell?

 

[Cuda1447]

There's probably a better way of targeting your potential customers than driving by them on the freeway. For every 1000 cars you pass there might be 1 or 2 people who notice and take interest, very few if any will remember the advertising by the time they get home. Do you remember the name of the plumber's van you passed on your way to work this morning?

I think the advertising money would be better spent on more focused marketing, then you won't have to worry about buying/selling your vehicle.

I appreciate the input, but what do you base your opinion off of? Do you actually have any facts to backup the claim that you can pass 1000 cars and only 2 will notice it, or are you just talking?

I'm really interested in any studies that might show the effectiveness of car advertising.

 

[zoiks]

For the love of god, please do not get an xB. The owners need to be pulled out and beaten with an ugly stick as it is.

 

[desy]

Honda Element

Re car advertising, its been studied that the Smart is the best advertsing car, cause it is so unique people do stop to look at it. Now do they notice the ad on it is a different question?

Tis why I suggested the element, big enough for your stuff and some of those funky colours really stand out

 

[Throckmorton]

Buy ads on Facebook

 

[kornphlake]

I appreciate the input, but what do you base your opinion off of? Do you actually have any facts to backup the claim that you can pass 1000 cars and only 2 will notice it, or are you just talking?

I'm really interested in any studies that might show the effectiveness of car advertising.

honestly I was just making up numbers based on my own level of awareness when driving. I'm sure the information is out there, call someone who sells billboard space and ask them to send you some statistics, a mobile advertisement would be roughly comparable I'd expect.

 

[erikistired]

there are a bunch of honda elements around here that have company wraps on them. they tend to stick out (lots of area to cover) and stick out a bit being big boxes on wheels. plus you can haul things in them.

 

[bigguy123]

paint an ice cream truck

 

[CraigRT]

I think the most common advertising vehicles I see are:

Minis
Ford Flex
Hummer H2,H3
Beetle

This is just what I notice around here.

 

[Firsttime]

Something unique will stand out. Something Common people will miss. Get something you never see, like a Smart Car.

Or, pay someone to Advertise for you...cheaper than buying a Car and you could get a few Cars carrying the Ad.

This is right on track, I have no clue where you live, but here in Halifax smart cars are every other car, so that wouldn't be a good option to stick out here, somewhere else it might be. You mentioned a Hummer, the guy who mentioned the A-Team van made me chuckle, plus it might resonate with your target audience. I would keep your Z if possible, it seems like you're really loathe to give it up, keep an eye on the local classified ads for something unique.