I take my car to a weekly "cruise-in" at a local restaurant where there are always lots of spectators and lots of great cars. It's really great to hear all the compliments, and I have a great time answering questions about the work that's been done. There is one question that always bothers me a little, though I answer it with a smile, and that is "How much did it cost", or "how much did the {insert mod here} set you back". It's a perfectly normal question I suppose, I just kinda feel like it's maybe a little "invasive" and too personal. It's almost like being asked "what's your annual income" by a perfect stranger.

You guys think I'm being oversensitive? If not, how's the best way to answer this question without sounding rude? I don't want to give the import enthusiast a bad name by being arrogant or anything, but I get tired of having to provide a "financial account" of my mods to every stranger who asks.

Sorry if this sounds petty to anyone.

 

Well, I got that too a lot in other cars I have owned, not so much in the Z just because I don't really have that many exterior mods like you. People now only look at the car as a whole and sometimes ask that. My advice would be for you to feel good about it and not really give it that much thought. Obviously you knew when you were modding out your ride that people would take an interest in it, so be proud and whenever some goof-off asks about it, just think to yourself "man I have it pretty good, bad *** car and I got cash to trick it out!" I think it may be slightly rude, yes, and it is not something I would ask myself, but you have to understand not everyone is educated on things of this nature and how to conduct themselves around others. Take it for what it's worth, you got a great ride, people notice, and are tryin to figure out how they can make the same thing happen for them, in most cases they can't which makes it even cooler for us to have these kinds of cars!

PS - You KNOW those Lambo doors are probably the main thing that starts off the whole deal, lol!

 

You should just reply as you laugh, "A lot," and shake your head. That head shaking means you don't wanna go into that detail, and laughing under your words makes it not so rude when you refuse to answer their question. That's usually how I reply to any question that I don't want to.

 

Do what I do Kelly... Just tell them that you've forgot because its too painfull to think about

 

more than you can afford pal

 

I usually try and skirt the question. At best I answer them with "It was enough." and try to laugh it off. Some people just don't know that this is a rude question.

 

+1 thats the best way... i think... but also i think you should take it as a compliment, they only ask cos you have a bad *** ride that they cant afford

 

just say "alot" or enough to make me happy .

 

I usually just tell them. To me money just isn't a real personal thing. I dont brag about something if it was expensive, I just answer it like any other question.

 

Yes, a smile is the key but I would say "too much" or "an arm and a leg" and they'll get the hint. Better yet, say, its not my car, it belongs to Love_350z's brother.

 

I feel the same way about my white water Kayak! I often surf the river waves locally and people in inflatable rafts often ask about the cost of my kayak. I generally respond that it is not the cost but the training that keeps people from kayaking and I try to emphasize that people really should not try white water hard shell kayaking without some lessons. The cost of the kayak is irrelevant if you don't know how to roll the kayak or at least do a wet exit.

 

 

+1

 

You have no idea how much you speak the truth. That's the most asked about mod on the car, price wise. Kinda odd.

 

Bwwaaahaaahaa.....Dirty Bastage!

 

I don't mind telling them how much the mods cost. ususally, it's them that tell me how cheap they got the parts used or a garage that they know that charges this much an hour. I only ask how much something cost when I get to know the person better and I see that they are cool about it.

The only time I feel uncomfortable talking about how much something cost is when they ask me how much I paid for the car. It's never the rigth answer, either they go "Damn, must be nice being rich and young" or "Oh, it's only that much?" I just tell them that I have to eat more Kraft dinners now instead of saying the price.

 

The concern is that if I laugh and shake my head while answering, they'll walk away feeling belittled, and that's the last thing I want. Bad for them, bad for me. I think the verbal response is ok, but even that sounds a little on the arrogant side, kinda "Yes, I do have alot of money" (though that's not necessarily true).

 

I just reply with something like.. "I wish it could of been cheaper"
or, "Too much"

 

+1. I'm sure when you were looking into something to do to the Z, you asked someone who did it before you how much it cost so you'd have an idea. The car customization scene is all about imparting knowledge from veterans to people just getting into it, IMO. Besides, if they see a heavily modded Z, they already KNOW you probably make some dough to be able to afford such a nice car in the first place and then mod it.

 

Give them an approx figure....no harm done, and if they are offended by what you tell them, hey that there poragative......