Guess I'll chime in here while waiting for my bachelor-style supper (ribs :chef

to get done festering...
There's an important factor missing in the OP's question, and I have't seen it directly addressed:
What is your target market?
It's just as simple as that.
For Middle America, really new & expensive doesn't get it, nor does an old beater. You need something reasonably current, possibly with an excusable ding or two, neat, clean and organised.
For a trailer park schlub (
no, Shane, not your people! :laughing

, a beater could be just the thing.
Really glitzy upscale clients are the ones who will go for the poke-your-eye-out sparkle (usually), but I honestly doubt that's the average for the folks on here.
All three categories are valid targets from which good money can be made. But you have to tailor your approach differently for each--and that includes much more than just what you drive. Many of us can deal successfully with one or two of them, but I'd say it's pretty unlikely anyone would do well with all three.