Why do people always ask, “ how much did you pay for it?”

I got that question TODAY and, of course, it wasn’t the first time…

No big deal to me… not like the person asking can’t just google up an answer…

I always tell them that the real cost isn’t BUYING the car, it’s MAINTAINING it - kinda like a woman!

Kevin

 

1. Idle curiosity
2. Bad manners

 

It's just a way to continue the conversation beyond "cool car, man." Depending on which one I'm driving I have 2 anwers:

328: "It cost me my first wife. It was worth it!"
Cali T: "It was on clearance, a good pickup can cost more."

Some folks really do want to know because they're actually interested in buying. In that case I'll tell them the approximate range.

Note that I am a bottom feeder with inexpensive cars. I'm sure it's a different experience for the folks driving the new stuff.

 

Never really was a fan of that question because it's usually followed up with asking what I do for work. It's like are you trying to talk about the car or me? I'm not exciting. The car is exciting.

The one that really annoys me is "Oh, I would have bought X instead with that money" you got the same 24 hours a day that I do mother****er. Go get it if it's so important to you that you feel the need to talk down my car for it.

Sent from my toilet using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

It's just people fanboying about the car. As mentioned, they can always google it. It's just a way to keep the conversation going. People say all sorts of dumb things when they're nervous

 

I have never minded, I was in their shoes for a long time. These cars tend to be so mysterious to the general public, so they know nothing about them.

And I think there is less ******-baggery towards the older car owners like myself, so it feels like they are always honest inquiries.

 

this

 

Had someone ask me for the first time the other day. Although they asked what the MSRP is, I thought that was an odd way to ask cost, being its over a 20 year old Ferrari. Felt kind of weird responding but overall didn't mind.

 

Something similar to this answer for my 456GT. It usually ends there, but mostly the conversation is out of adoration or interest in the car, rarely do I get a sense of jealously.

 

I just say something like "cheaper than owning a boat".

Which is true and most can relate.

 

I was put off at first by this question then, like previous posters, I came to understand it was more out of excitement or wonder. When I told them the actual price I think it made their day because it increased the wow factor. I used to say things like "a lot" or "I'm embarrassed to say" but they weren't really happy about that so now when I say $300k they go wowwwww and it makes their day. If I get the sense the person is being overly nosey or judgy then I stick to the vague response but if its just some kid in the Safeway parking lot I give him the real answer.

 

I generally answer something like " it's about the same as a 3 bedroom bungalow in the burbs, but I already have one so I bought this instead" but I guess that would depend on what real estate market you live in these days.

 

As others have stated I get the “how much is that thing” followed by what do you do for a living. For the non car person they may have never seen a Ferrari before and have no reference to how much they cost. That doesn’t bother me at all. The follow up question is a little off putting but I never want to be disrepectful or portray a ****** with a nice car. I’ll always tell them a rough amount for the car and tell them what I do and that it’s taken a lot of years of sacrificing and working hard to buy it as a reward to myself. The response I usually get from that is a congratulations.

 

I get that question often.
Always the same answer: 8 years of college, 60 + yrs of working.
That usually ends that part of the conversation, surprisingly enough.

 

The how much question, I always answer because the number is usually double what they were expecting so I enjoy seeing their face when I say 4 and they thought 2…

As for the what do you do for a living, I now just say, it doesn’t matter what you do, just be really really good at it.


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They should hang this up at the BunnyRanch

 

I've used the line - cheaper than my last ex-wife!

Kevin

 

I started telling people I sell military weapon with a half joking face when worker come to my house or random people in gas station seeing my cars. They back off immediately.

 

That's a good one! I used to tell people I sold my body for drugs and then I sold the drugs. Nowadays I'm a bit more open and honest.

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I give the honest number I paid....

"what?"

"well, I bought it on craigslist...they have some pretty good deals, ya know..."

 

Depending on who is asking, I’m very happy to respond with what I do for a living. This country has a desperate need for young USA based Engineers.

Our employers are begging older Engineers to not retire, so there is a strong job market deep into your 70s if you want to stay in the saddle.

The downside is that the profession just doesn’t pay that much, so you can buy exotics but it takes time.

 

I don't mind. When you look as sloppy and impoverished as I do.. they're going to wonder. So I tell them $100k (or pick similar number). Then they ask what I do and I tell them I'm a doctor. And they go ".. oh ok".

 

The what do you do question is actually much more common for me. I blame DanielMac and his TikTok videos for that. But it's not a big deal to me. I'm a software engineer and I've done well

 

So you got Steve's Cali T.
I thought so.
Have Jano fix it up ?