I had that happen to me too. The guy was surprised when I told him it only had a V8. He asked twice about the engine which leads me to believe he was confusing my 308 for a Boxer, more money and speed.
If it helps, I did a net present value (inflation rate based) on $56,800 in 1977 to year end 2007 and the car is worth (in 1977 $$$'s) $182,280. Guess they aren't too far off if you put the money into something that paid compound at 3.96% over the last 30 years. For the record, never heard "less than 6 figures" when people SWAG the cost. Never see disappointment at the real cost either, but I have heard "I could own a piece of history"
Closest we have is in Arizona. I once missed Waffle House so much, I drove to Tucson (closest one at that time) for breakfast and to have the "train wreck" hash browns. Since then, a bunch of Waffle Houses have opened in Phoenix.
Great funny story . It's funny to see how much the authority figures on high performance sports cars know very little about Ferraris.
Because everything from the eighties was phenomically inflated! Not convinced!? Does the word "Yuppies" and "Beemers" mean anything? Geez, I feel old all of a sudden!
I had a guy at a gas station insist that my 308 would go over 200 MPH. I tried to dissuade him of that notion, but he told me I was wrong. LMAO! Birdman
Seems you know how to break the news to 'em, in a conspiratorial whisper - inspiring them to do just that.
The camera guy in the local TV station Van starting filming my car as we were driving down the highway. At first I thought one of my wheels might be loose or my car was on fire. Hot news flash at 6:00PM. I gues he was curious.
I too found this fascinating. When the true cost of the car was mentioned, the faces would fall. When I would speak about her as just a 29 year old car...falling again. I guess the myth is stronger than the reality. With an engineering background, I tend to want to be truthful. What I find is that folks don't seem to want the truth when it comes to spotting your car...they prefer the myth. So...when this comes up again, I go with the myth usually by inserting silence where a truthful response was needed. This is definitely what is fun about these cars, especially the 308. You own an Icon, not just a car. So, you are somewhat responsible to both IMHO. Besides, ya gotta admit...its a kick! -Rjay
People look at my 328 and think it's new, $200K+ and 200+mph. The look is timeless and may I say gorgeous, magnitudes better than a 330 2+2 which costs $50K more (can you believe it! Sorry 330 guys...). When asked what I paid for it, with a humble voice I simply say "toooooo much" and smile. They nod their heads and respond with "yea, that's what I thought".
I get this all the time on my Ducatis - "A Do-what?!" Must be an Italian machine thing! Relatively few people seem to know about them - just the way I like it!
QUOTE=islandguy;137421956] When asked what I paid for it, with a humble voice I simply say "toooooo much" and smile. They nod their heads and respond with "yea, that's what I thought".[/QUOTE] Best answer yet, I'll have to remember it!
Last fall while getting gas, someone walked up to the car, looked it over and said "You must be rich". My response was " I would be if I didn't own this car".
I have taken my 328 to get McChicken meals and once a teenager made the comment, he got the value just right ($75k), but at the top of the mark (Mark Hopkins Hotel) I overheard the valet tell the door man that I just pulled up in that $300k ferrari. Go figure, I mean I did just wash her at Shell (extra rinse and foam $6.95).
I went through the taco bell drive through in my 328. The kid at the window wanted me to adopt him. No thanks. He was ready to walk away from his job if I would give him a ride. Don't think so. I also answer the how much question with "too much". Usually ends the conversation.
Couple of quotes that are the best I have heard. RJay is #2, and the best that is coincidental....we are all custodians of these vehicles, it is our obligation to care for, to propagate the legend, and to leave the vehicle a little better for the next custodian than it was left for us. I agree Rjay. There is a large amount of "goodwill" that comes with owning these cars. That means we don't own 0-60's, or kickin' 05' subaru ass, we own legends, and that comes with a premium that is not comparable to an '08 civic. I agree that the "mythos" is greater than the ayre. And also keep in mind that anything that comes in quantities less than 100,000 is craftsmanship and not industry these days We are all responsible to the icon, and to a vision we own, but did not create.
Its always funny when they tell me "your rings are f*cked!" or "put some oil in it!" when they hear the dry clutch! Man thats classic, I got tired of explaining and just smile!
I like to take mine to K-Mart or Wal-Marts and buy a case of oil. I can't go to Starbuck's because I have no cup holder. HAHAHA
....Especially with a fully vented cover as on my ST4! More times than I can count Harley guys have contorted their faces as I pull in to a lot, "hey man something's wrong with your bike'" Like you, I just smile and say thanks.
I mentioned this the other day here somewhere, but most of my gas station conversations revolve around how fast it is, not the price. They stand there looking thoughtful, then raise their eyebrows and say, "180 ?" When I say "Oh, probably not, besides these tires are only rated for 149" I sometimes get a , "Yeah right that thing probably flies!" As if I'm the master of understating. Of course that doesn't hurt the mystique of seeing one of these cars on the road!
I had a Dad and Son come up to me while filling up this past summer. Dad said, "Wow, that must have set you back what.....6 figures???" I just smiled and said, "Nope, bought it for less than the Tahoe you're filling up." He walked around the car twice muttering "you gotta be kidding...." My Wife was real annoyed last May when I brought the girls to her work for dinner. (she works evenings) One of her co-workers saw the car and the next day everyone wanted to know why/how her Husband had a $100,000 Ferrari? She thought the explaining/comments were going to go on forever and bug her, but it blew over with that. JIM
I love taking mine to the "we're too cool for Starbucks" coffee shop. People there think their above gawking over a car and wouldn't dare say anything to me or even stare at it. I love going there so i can sip a cup of joe and stare at my car with no comments from others. I know their thinking i'm there to show off or to be seen but in reality i go there to be left alone with my car.
This reminds me of the people who would look at the speedometer in my dad's old '61 Corvette and exclaim "wow, this will go 200mph!?!" Shiny Side Up! Bill
