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

It’s funny you say that. More than once has someone thought I was the valet or car porter.

I remember one time I was doing something on my Pista and was wearing a gym shorts and a t shirt with holes. Someone came up to me and asked if I enjoyed delivering cars for a living. Initially I was confused but figured out they thought I was delivering the car to someone.

Another time I was picking up a car from the dealership wearing a similar outfit and someone asked what the owner of the car did for a living. Again, they thought I was the porter.

Guess I should probably dress better when I’m out driving it.

 

I tell them that it cost me $2,225 ((in 1960) but that it looked like this under the bondo... Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Same to my supposed to be a good friend from high school who became so jealous to the point he just gave up being jealous and started to treat me as his potential client as investor. So pathetic.

 

95% of the time I’m in shorts, tshirt, and flipflops. Outside of the watches or brand/quality of clothes I really don’t care if people look at me and assume I’m the help. Actually, I prefer it.

 

Unfortunately I can’t use that line. Wish I could .

 

Spare me.

Way less annoying than when people ask me "So, did you kill people over there?"

 

I think the best answer to most would be:

"I have no idea, I'm borrowing it from a friend while he is on vacation".

 

The correct answer always is:

More than you can afford pal…FERRARI.

 

I am looking for a good yard man. I pay top dollar.

 

We’ve got services for it but when we’re in NY over the summer I typically tell them take off a couple months because I love mowing the yard myself. Riding mower, a drink in ice, and good music with noise cancelling headphones on a nice day is tough to beat.

 

Reminds me of a conversation between Bezos and Buffett that is usually quoted:

Bezos (to Buffett): Why don't more people follow your investment model, its almost guaranteed to work (paraphrasing a bit)
Buffett: Nobody wants to get rich slow

 

I’ve only had my Ferrari out a few times this year, but I have been asked what I do for a living every time I’ve driven that car this summer. Daniel Mac is exactly who I think of when they ask.

The last kid was extremely genuine. He was working the window of fast food drive through l was at. He stated that he hoped to own an exotic and was trying to create a roadmap to own ann electric exotic and asked for advice on how to get there. I gave him a quick rundown on the compound interest table and I could see the lightbulb go off in his head. I’m pulling for that young fellow.

 

Depending on my mood I give one of two answers. If I feel like answering the question, I'll usually tell them what the cars generally go for these days. When I feel like deflecting, which is most of the time, I usually say "I can't remember".

We live in a world where most people are frankly below average in their intelligence and imagination. It's a pretty unimaginative and overly familiar question, but not surprising. And most people are coming from a friendly place. If its a genuine car guy, or a kid who seems like they might want one, I give them a straight answer.

If someone asks what I do for a living, or anything else about the car, I give them as detailed an answer as I have time for.

 

And a lot more fun!

 

It occurs to me now that I am hardly ever asked this question about the Ferraris. But I was asked frequently about my McLaren. I wonder why. Anyone else have this experience?

The question always makes me a little uncomfortable, but in almost every case, the person was cheerful and seemed genuinely excited to see the car. I think they were hoping to hear a big number. I doubt it occurred to them that it might be embarrassing for me. So I never took offense, even if it's not a question I'd ask myself.

I hope I always handled it well. I think we should all aspire to be good ambassadors for the brand and for exotics more generally. I want to encourage others who show even a little interest.

 

I wish I was always this clever but this is a true story.

I picked up a new 458 Spider from the dealer. A few weeks later I was driving down the Vegas strip stuck in traffic. A car full of guys in their late teens and early 20's are parked next to me waiting for the light to switch. They are kinda razing me but I didn't mind. It wasn't mean but I bit playful. I could see they liked the car.

One of them yells out "hey man! How much you pay for that?"

I hold up 3 fingers.

The guy goes "300 grand???"

I go "No. 3 dollars. Won it on a slot machine" and drove off as the light turned green.

Honestly I don't mind people asking if they are truly interested.

 

Similar experience when driving the Ford GT.

 

That’s funny, I hardly ever get that question with my FGT……I always thought people had a better handle on pricing when they were new because it is a Ford.

In fact, I spend MUCH more time trying to convince people that it is a Ford product….from 2005.

The 2005 part make sense since it has s such a timeless design, elements are still being used, like when I saw the front hood of the F8, that was good for a laugh.

 

The best supercar!

 

I've mostly been asked which year is it. Weird question but the most common one I get.

 

Me too, actually.

 

What year is it, which model is it, how fast is it, rev it, what do you do for a living, how much was it, nice car. Those are all of em and I get em all.


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There is also the Universal Answer to any Ferrari-related question: "just under a million."

Q: How much did you pay for it ? A: Just under a million

Q: How much horsepower does it have ? A: Just under a million

Q: Does it cost a lot to insure it ? A: Just under a million

Q: How many miles on it ? A: Just under a million

Q: What is its top speed ? A: Just under a million

Q: When you go out, do a lot of people ask you about it ? A: Just under a million

Q: Does it attract many hot ladies ? A: Just under a million

Q: How many Ferraris do you own ? A: Just under a million