I've had my Z since Jan. 2003 and I'm still getting positive comments from complete strangers every other time I stop by the gas station to fillup. By the way, my chrome silver 6/sp Z is bone stock and the only thing non-stock is the K&N airfilter. Recently I replaced the stock crank pulley with an UR ultra S. That stock pulley used to weight over 7 pounds.

 

It is a rude question. You would think that anyone interested in buying a 350Z would just take a few minutes and check on the internet. The best answer that I’ve found is “Less than blank” (insert some dollar amount).

 

yea my last car i put alotta money into and ppl would always ask me and i would feel weird, i would always say alot or tell them i gotta good deal

 

Depends on the type of guy you're talking to. I don't think it's a big deal because they're probably wondering how much it would take to afford/convert something like that. Then again when you answer it you might get some @ss say "you're crazy, what a waste of money" =) I like most of the replies just laugh and say too much...no need to feel uncomfortable.

 

Unless you're ashamed by the mention of money, just go ahead and tell tell them how much. What's the big deal... it's only money relating to car mods. It's not your whole financial portfolio or anything really personal. You're out there to share your ride and experiences surrounding your ride with the people to have a good time. Laughing under your breath, shaking your head, or other things to bs your way out of simply giving a direct answer kind of imho belittles your own character and/or seems like you are belitting the person who looks up to what a great car you have and what an honor it is to talk to the guy behind that car.

 

The best answer to this question that I ever gave or received is: "It goes for about XXX". It doesn't tell anyone what I paid for it, but it does give him an idea of what to expect. What I paid for something is nobody else's business. What an item sells for is public knowledge, and providing this information will satisfy 99% of those asking.

 

i usually tell them triple the actual cost so they are less likely to consider copying my setup.

 

Just say that it was "too much" or "free". End of story

 

If you gotta ask...

 

It's funny, when I was younger (20's and 30's), I was sensitive about money questions, but now that I'm older (41), I don't really care that much. I guess I've learned that privacy is tenuous at best. Life is better when you connect with other people. If that means they like what you've done with your car and it inspires them to do the same, they probably just want to know how much they will have to pay to achieve that. I would say use your instinct when dealing with strangers, freely give publicly-available information (e.g. cost of mods, etc.), but don't give personal financial information (e.g. income, etc.).

 

Before, I would have said you were just being sensitive. I have changed my tune. People will actually bash you if you paid more than they think the mod is worth. You would think people would just admire and leave. I am just plain rude to people now and I don't care. Before I made any money, I used to ask those questions. I look back now and realize how tacky it was. It is like people on this board that ask how much rims were before they even bought a Z. Like the guys in the FI section that say, "How much to get to 800rwhp? I am thinking about getting a Z if the price is right."

One guy answered me way back in the day in a manner that made me understand without being rude. He showed up to a local meet with a few buddies. He was sporting a Diablo SV or VT and his buddies were sporting the Vipers and turbo 911s. I asked him how much the Diablo goes for (I know, forgive me). He replied, "Give me your phone number. I know a guy that can get them for a good price." That was all I needed to hear.

I go to some local meets and people always crowd around the car that I drive. Most people on this board know that I deal in high-end cars. The BMW Alpina Roadster is my favorite and people hate on you so bad. Some of the comments have gone like this. "How much was that?" I tell them. "You could have gotten (insert guys dream car here) for that price." I say, "I know, and still I have this." A few minutes later and another guys says, "You could have got (insert guys dream car here)." I tell him, "Yea, I could have. I might get one of those too. What kind would you get if you had the money?" Another guy not 5 minutes later says, "How much?" I say, "How much is your car?" A few minutes go by and again, "How much?" I get ruder, "If you have to ask, you probably don't need to know." Next thing you know, I am the a$$hole at the car meets and still people crowd.

There is no right answer with those people. You can do the diplomatic "Give me your phone number and I'll have my guy call you" thing or get rude like I do. You won't be able to satisfy them so don't bother.

 

Just put your hand into fist with your pinky extended out. Place your pink on a corner of our lip and tell them it cost you ONE MILLION DOLLARS!

 

Your car draws attention. Some questions come with that. I don't mind people asking unless their being obnoxious.

 

To answer the original post, since I have yet to read any of the others, I think it's a perfectly normal question to ask. He is not asking you..."How can you afford this?"...or..."What do you do to afford this?" He can merely be curious about what needs to be done monetarily in order to get something like your car.

 

I think being rude just helps to reinforce a bad stereotype. Especially since you can never judge a book by it's cover. You may say something about them not being able to afford it when in reality they may be able to buy and sell you all day long. I have family members and friends with far more money then most will ever have, but to look at them you would think they are poor. Many times these questions are people simply not knowing what else to ask about the mod or car they are admiring and wanting to start a conversation. When people say things along the lines of if you have to ask you can't afford it, this always makes me think of another old addage, a fool and his money are soon parted. You would never buy a house without asking what it costs, why would you think someone would buy a car or a mod without knowing what it cost? I would FAR rather know from someone who already owns something I like what the price is then have a dealer say this is what it is, maybe they know a good place to get something at a far better price. But then again as you stated some people just don't take the rude route and I guess I fit into that segment. I have had many cars over my years and am always more then happy to talk about them, what has been done to them, when a person asks me what it costs I usually have no problems saying unless they are asking with an attitude to begin with. If someone says you paid too much I will usually ask where they saw a better price so that the next time I am need of something else I can check this source and if the FOS then that usually shuts them up. As that person showed you, you don't have to be a jerk to make set someone straight.

 

I totally agree. I never start out rude but it gets there quick. Once people start bashing you for how you spend your money then you start to take offense. I always use the diplomatic approach as mentioned above but it gets annoying the tenth time someone asks within 30 minutes. I guess you had to be there to see how it got to the rude part. People don't understand there isn't anything to see under the hood of a factory car. It's all plasticed in and you can't see anything but a logo. People ask retarded questions like I wonder if that will fit in my car. How much does the engine go (like it's going to be a bolt-on or something). I don't find myself in those situations too much. I run around with the people that could "buy and sell me all day long".

 

To be perfectly honest, I would be one to ask that sort of question. It's not that I'm being nosey. I would just be asking because I wanted to know wether that particular mod was within my affordability range or not.

But I know what you mean. I have a neighbor (no not her ) who when he comes over, asks me what everything I own costs. I get a little aggravated by the questions, because I know he cant afford the same types of things, and it makes him jealous. which in turn makes me feel uncomfortable around him. I dont like people to be envious of me.

 

+1 tats what i always say too..."ALOT hahahah" then they will be like yea a lot yea a lot

 

Thats cool, I completely understand where you're coming from. I have a hard time with what I call stupid people I lose patience with them REALLY fastand I also will be rude but I usually try and do it where I insult them but that aren't really sure if I insulted them or not. When I get people who are asking and being sincere about things I cut them a ton of slack and try and answer whatever I can. As for being bought and sold, all I can say is brother I am in the same club, I have had friends and still do who buy things that I look at and think it's insane to even be able to afford to buy it. Then again usually 2 months later it's collecting mothballs because they are bored with it. Makes me sick, I love cars and wont ever own one i'm not willing to drive.

 

An interested enthusiast will be genuinely interested in having a dialogue...someone looking to make a snide comment or remark will quickly tire of a discussion and walk off. I've found I can usually keep myself calm with the latter by answering an open ended generic question like that with a series of questions back, putting them on the spot:

1. Oh, are you interested in buying one? Used/New? Stock/Modified? I consider all serious offers. A new Z car itself ranges from $26-36k...the skys the limit for modifications. Do you want to go fast, look good or both?
2. Oh, do you have a Z? What year/model? What part are you interested in getting for your car? The lambo doors range from $500 ebay kits to $7000 custom solutions...