"How much did you pay for that?"

[rustyBob]

like i said....think about it.....you may be responding to a new friend or a prospective customer.....the fate of our hobby lies in our hands.....be kinder to your fellow countryman.....

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by rustyBob

.....the fate of our hobby lies in our hands.....be kinder to your fellow countryman.....

Absolutely true. A few years ago I was at a car show with the Cobra and my kids. A father and son, who appeared to be about 15 or 16, took a real interest in my car and chatted with me for quite a while. The next year, at a different show, they were both there, but this time, they had an older, but nice, Olds 442 that they had bought and were obviously restoring together. They both came over and said "do you remember us?" From that point on if a father/son, or father/daughter, combo show real interest in my car, I not only spend time talking with them, but I let them sit behind the wheel, get their photos taken in it, play vroom-vroom while they turn the wheel, etc. It's my way of "planting a seed."

[SpecOp1]

At each show or cruise -in I get that question...I give them some price ranges and they appreciate that. I also make it a point to allow kids to get in the car and have parents take photos. Some adults have asked and I allow them. I always leave the kids with one last remark before they leave. I ask them "Do you know how you can have one of these someday?"..."Good grades"....

[Nedsel]

[quote=jhv48;1175309]Fortunately, my mother taught me to be polite to strangers.

Some of you should try it!

I can see lots of curious onlookers walking away thinking "What a Jackhole!"

Not the way I want my hobby to be perceived.

Fair enough. But no one said that by choosing not to directly answer the question(s) being asked that you, as the car's owner, are being impolite. I respond perfectly nicely to anyone who wants to talk cars, but don't take the "how much is it worth" bait. I see no point in it.

[tcrist]

I guess it is plain and simple, I was raised to be an asshole. I guess I'll just have to take that to the grave. It is nobodys business what I make or how much I spend.

I am getting real tired of reading that it is our responsibility to tell people/strangers our personal business or that it is their right to ask or know.

Now if they want a range of what it costs to build/buy one then I have no problem answering them.

[RangerMac]

Originally Posted by BAsque1

Well I have two answers depending on the idiot who asks:
1. More than you make in 10 years!!
2. I really don't know my accountant sent them the check, I did not have to ask otherwise I could not afford it. How is it in gas mileage? this is the best, aaaah a couple of gold ingots per trip...they do't know what to say
No one with any degree of common sense or courtesy asks these questions.
Basque1
PS
"Well after trading in my 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago I had to give them another $25K"

Lighten up Francis.

[JWilly]

I agree with jvh that we should be respectful to all. For this question, I typically give the standard answer of the range of costs for different Cobra replicas. I think I make it obvious that the "How much did this cost?" question is not a question I am comfortable answering. Most accept the answer I give politely. I have had a couple that have kept pressing "Yeah, but how much did this one cost?" Then, I assume they want to tell their buddies how much of an idiot I am for paying what I did for my car and are not concerned with how much one would cost them.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by JWilly

...I assume they want to tell their buddies how much of an idiot I am for paying what I did for my car

I think we're all idiots for paying what we did for our cars.

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I think we're all idiots for paying what we did for our cars.

Damn, one more time I will agree with Patrick.

[mreid]

I got to agree with him, too!

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I think we're all idiots for paying what we did for our cars.

I don't agree. I think Patrick is an idiot for calling me an idiot. And I'm telling your mom.

[kevins2]

And yet you'd all do it again.

[jhv48]

I agree, we are all idiots.

But, we don't have to act like it!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by jhv48

But, we don't have to act like it!

Who's acting?

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Silverback51

Damn, one more time I will agree with Patrick.

Originally Posted by mreid

I got to agree with him, too!

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I don't agree. I think Patrick is an idiot for calling me an idiot. And I'm telling your mom.

Despite the fact you may often find it a bitter pill to swallow, if we are honest, we will find that in the deep, dark crevasses of our hearts & minds we more often than not tend to agree with Patrick!

Ewww... Now its time for a shower, I feel so dirty!

[fordracing65]

I just say cheaper than Canada or overseas prices.

[SunDude]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

I just say cheaper than Canada or overseas prices.

True enough.

When asked "how much my Cobra (replica) cost," I realize the person usually means it as an honest question. They have no idea what cars like this are worth and are just curious.

What I paid for my car is private, so I prefer not to say. But to give 'em some idea of value, I usually either tell 'em what my car cost when new (I bought it resale) or what they're selling for currently on the used car market in Canada. Which for a Superformance, is in the $60-70K range.

[TButtrick]

Originally Posted by mreid

I say, " A lot cheaper if you build it yourself like I did." If they ask, well how much was that, then I tell them. It does seem like a bizarre question until you accept that most people don't mean any harm by it, are looking to make conversation, and are usually decent people.

Could not agree more. If you've really taken the time to research a kit before you've purchased, then you're bound to ask this question yourself once you've found an owner who has built to the level of your liking. It's all about how you ask, I guess.

"I'm actually looking to build a roadster myself. If you don't mind, could I ask how much you got in to it?" Not offensive to me.

The next person you meet could be the next person who changes the rest of your life. Hopefully for the better.

[DAVID GAGNARD]

I'm actually looking to build a roadster myself. If you don't mind, could I ask how much you got in to it?" Not offensive to me.

People that ask in that way deserve a fair answer and I give them one.....it's the know-it-alls at car shows that with a 1/2 dozen buddies in tow, come by and out of the blue ask:"hey, how much did that thing cost ya???" that gripe my butt.......
To those jerks I have a number of answers I use, depending on the situation...

Don't know, it's my wife's car,she paid for it.....
Don't know, my wife bought it for me......
A lot more than you make in a year......
Why would you ask such a personal question to a total stranger???
Are I just tell them about 4 times what the actual cost was/is....

All depends on the person/situation as to how to answer that question...

David

[Archrms]

You can tell if a person is sincere in his interest by the questions he asks. A person who is truly interested in the car itself or actually buying/building one will know some of the back ground, terminology, maybe some mechanical questions regarding a Cobra. They do not start out with "how much did you pay for that". I will spend more time with this type of person and give them the information they are looking for, and some ball park costs (just not what I paid).