The deal is like this.

If it's a meet with other 350Z owners and someone asks how much was that part or that part, I tell them straight out and honestly. Why? Because maybe they want to buy one for their car and want to know what other people paid for it. I do the same thing. If I see a car with rims I like or something I plan on buying for my car in the future, I'll ask what they paid, so I can make a mental note of what the market is holding.

If it's a random kid off the street standing there when I pull up and they ask how much this or that was I just give them the "2 much" answer. Why? Because the kid doesn't really care how much it costs, he's just making conversation to sound cool. So it doesn't really matter what answer you give him. The "2 much" answer will grant him as much satisfaction (probably more) than if you actually told him the real price.

Just my thoughts.

 

Exactly. At Z meets and the like, the questions are fine, because I know they're usually coming from other Z owners and are for "educational" purposes. Most of the questions at these cruise-ins come from kids or adults who drive mini-vans, so they're just being "nosey". It would be in poor taste to say to a woman with big implants "Wow, those are great-lookin' hooters. How much did those puppies run ya?" She bought 'em because she likes the way they look in public, but she doesn't want to disclose what she paid to get them to look that way.

Did I really just make that comparison?

 

Forget how much ask her how big

 

Not necessarily! In Texas, big implants are like shoes. Every woman has 'em and they like to talk about 'em. Hell, they even offer to let you touch 'em, if ya want!

 

I really really really really really have never understood why people take any offense to questions about how much something cost. They're just gonna look up the price online when they get home. Why not do them the courtesy of answering their question since they took the time to ask YOU about YOUR purchase being it's something that they apparently LIKE or RESPECT.

Get off the high horse and realized whatever you bought, other people can buy too

 

Where the hell did this come from man? Did I say anything that sounded even remotely as if I EVER assumed for a minute that I'm such a rich bastard that anyone else couldn't make their car look just like mine (or a hell of alot better) if they really wanted to? No I didn't, so put your attitude back in your pocket. As I stated later in this thread (which you apparently didn't read all of or you might not be here shooting your mouth off), most of the people that ask this question at these meets are people who drive mini-vans or SUV's, so they're not asking for any educational purpose, they're just being nosey. They'll never go home and look it up because they don't want to know how much *it* cost, they want to know how much *I* spent, and therefore I feel it is a personal question. If I was being a pecker about it (which you apparently think I am even though I've actually been quite humble about the whole thing) I would subscribe to providing the "too much for you pal" answer that some here have suggested. I simply stated that I feel a little odd disclosing the amount of money I've spent on my car, because for so many of those that ask, it's a completely flagrant waste of money that they couldn't fathom spending on something like "Vertical doors" (or any other modification). I've seriously had people respond to an honest answer to their question with "Jesus, you're nuts man." Well pardon my french, but F you for thinking so.

Anyway, a simple "yes, you're being oversensitive" would have adequately stated your opinion. Thanks for nothing.

 

YOu should make up a big list to show what you've done and approx cost then you can just show it to them Save ya some time lol

 

That's actually not a bad idea. I could just print it up and put in a plastic slip sheet and place it on the engine cover at the meets. That way, when people ask, I can just point, and I can make it as vague as I want. Good thinkin!

 

nope didn't read the whole thread.


yeah it just comes with the territory when you set your car up as a show car. Yeah, most people who drive pickup trucks, SUV's or minivans and are on a budget will never understand the joys of things like vertical doors and LCD screens everywhere.

My best friend drives a 4 cylinder truck and thinks anything that's a sports car or performance oriented thing is a waste of money and resourses. I know he thinks I've spent rediculous amounts of money on my car and I'm sure he's rolling his eyes every chance he gets, but I make 4x what he makes so we're in different places. I'll never understand why my life has to be ruled by gas prices and gas mileage and he'll never understand why having a faster car is worthwhile


I get asked ALL the freaking time about parts on my car

"how do you like your SSV?"
how do you like your cams?
how do you like your tilton?
how do you like your 3.9 final drive?
how do you like your headers and cats?
how do you like your exhaust?
how do you like your tires?
how do you like your brakes?

and wish I could just say "$1000" and be done with it, but have to end up giving a more thought out explanation....


import show car people have a reputation of spending money for the sheer sake of spending money so your car "stands out" at car shows. I mean, do people really need LCD screens under their car by the exaust pipes and can only be seen with a mirror on the ground? The import car show scene borders on compusive obsession disorder. Other car show people like classic car shows focus not on how much flashing things they can cram in their car, but how "mint" they can make their car look and let the car shape and engine itself do the talking.

I've seen people with classic cars with $30k paint jobs - yes $30k paint jobs. When asked how much it was, the owner proudly says $30k and doesn't get upset or take it personally because it's $30k worth of art on an already classic/valueable car and is something everyone can appreciate even if they don't like that particular car or paint job, they respect it cause they know it's classic. Import cars haven't earned that level of respect YET - someday maybe so when the import cars of today are rare

 

I used to get those questions all the time with my WRX. I always just told them around what it cost if I could remember. I don't find it a personal question at all. People choose to spend money on different things. I think most people that used to ask were just wondering what something like that would run in general. Whats the difference if someone spends $25,000 on a finished basement and kickass home theater, or puts it into a car, ya know? Either way, people are always curious what things cost. If someone is trying to determine my cash situation by asking, I really could care less. When you pull up in your car, or when I tell people my Z is a "toy" driven once a week, they will pretty much assume you've got decent money coming in. Doesn't take a genius to figure that out even without asking.

 

It doesn't sound petty, but it sounds like you may be a little too sensitive about it. Are you embarassed about the price you paid? I agree, it's similar to the question of, "How much do you make?". But hell, if you feel it's invasive, it might be because you think you don't earn enough by society's standards. I say screw it, be proud. I once asked my old boss how many horses he had and he warned my that it was an invasive question similar to ones we're talking about here. Oh well, I guess you should never ask a cowboy how many horses he has. I was raised in the town with the largest privately owned cattle ranch in the world and I've never heard of that.

 

If I am tired or busy I just tell them I can't remember right now. If not, I try to give them a answer if I can remember. If I can't remember I'll tell them so and maybe give them a ballpark. I love talking about my mods but, I don't do it everyday like you must.

Kcobean - That's one nice car! You must have a lot of money in that car.

I am sure that anyone that knows anything about cars could see that.

I am guilty as well of asking these questions. I recently asked my buddy how much it cost for his full S/C set up. I'm figuring 10K tops. He has over 20K into the complete process. That is a lot more than I want to spend on my 350Z. So, I will probably not worry about it and love my car the way she is for now. I might have done what he did if he only spent 10K on it. I would have done a lot of reasearch to duplicate his set up. He should feel admired, as I would. "Duplication is the greatest compliment you can be paid." Can't remember who said that but it stuck to my brain. He did it right. I would only do it if I could do it right. Ah, maybe someday when my priorities have changed. Unfortunately my goal now is saving for retirement. I might revisit the idea of tearing down the motor and rebuilding it to S/C high boost specs after I have reached those goals.

Great topic !!!!

For right now, I can only admire you guys that can do this stuff.

 

blah blah blah!!!! Shut up already!

As J.P.Morgan would say "If you have to ask how much?, you can't afford it!"

End of story!

Peace!

 

huh?

 

IMO...someone will ALWAYS ask about the cost b/c they're interested in buying the mod themselves or maybe even want to reply with "Why the hell would you spend so much ...blah blah".

So.....Just tell 'em "It didn't cost too much...and do a f*cking search on the web for a price"...LOL