Is it a proper question to ask...

[BBBluey]

How much did you pay for it?

I love going to car shows. I don't believe I have ever asked someone how much they paid for their car or how much they have in it, I can usually ball park it or the owner will openly just talk about it. In either case, I know it's something I can't afford, Lol. I have asked how much they paid for a certain part or labor and where they got it, but never flat out how much they paid for a car...unless there is a for sale sign on it, and the conversation goes from there.

I understand the question coming from spectators in the sense that they're not owners of a classic, they just enjoy walking around and looking and they're simply curious. But when it comes from participants and just other car guys who have a lifetime/years in this hobby, I'm not sure what to think about it. It's not something I would do. When I get asked questions about the car, I make clear that I bought the car done and I did not build it. When I hear the same from other owners, I just congratulate them on a beauty of a car.

I have a pretty nice 70 Nova that gets lot's of attention and I hear tons of stories but nobody has ever asked me how much I paid for it, they just talk about the car.

I also have a 71 Firebird. The car draws people in...it just won a car show. Every time I take it out, I get hit with the question "How much did you pay for it?" I don't mind when people ask if I'm willing to sell it, that actually makes me smile a bit cuz it lets me know they like it.

So, am I giving it too much attention, is that actually a common question the prettier the car is, or is it kind of rude?

[andrewb70]

Why ask why? People do silly things all the time.

Andrew

[Zspoiler]

Most of us build our own cars . And with all the time and money we spend on our cars,We do this as a hobby.And we just don`t add up the receipts.Its just too scary.

[69hugger]

My opinion is it's rude.
I think it is less impolite ask a person what "something like that is worth", because it puts them less on the spot. They can choose to tell you what they paid, give you a range of similar cars, or they can give a vague response like "it really depends on many factors, such as suspension upgrades, etc".
I get asked pretty regularly what I paid for my cars. It really puts me on the spot because I don't want to come off like an a-hole, but I don't know the person from Adam, and it's none of their business. I usually say something like "more than my wife thinks".
I think it holds true for houses, boats, motorcycles, etc.

Just my $.02...

[Boss 5.0]

I agree, it is beyond rude to ask. I would never dream of asking, or answering. If someone asks me, I just don't respond.

[Che70velle]

Sure, I'd ask a close friend or my brother, but NEVER would I ask a stranger at a show, or anywhere else. It sounds desperate to me. I figure if I have to ask, I couldn't afford it anyway.

[BBBluey]

I usually say something like "more than my wife thinks". I think it holds true for houses, boats, motorcycles, etc.
Just my $.02...

Thank you for that...I think it's perfect

It's what I'll be saying from now on.

[Flash68]

I don't feel this is a black and white answer here.

It shouldn't be the first question asked when encountering a stranger, but I've delved into these types of conversations with strangers numerous times (on RE, cars, whatever) only AFTER you develop some commonality, rapport, etc that evolves with a conversation.

I enjoy talking local RE, values, speculation with just about anyone I deem to have a clue, so I enjoy getting into the numbers on things ... at a point.

It's not for everyone, but it doesn't always have to be rude.

[Vegas69]

I got that question all the time. I'd always say, "too much". I didn't care about the question, I just didn't want to fill the public in on how much I had in it!!

[Flash68]

I got that question all the time. I'd always say, "too much". I didn't care about the question, I just didn't want to fill the public in on how much I had in it!!

Ha. Exactly. The acquisition price is usually a much more palatable number. :D

[transam]

I'll tell friends , but strangers it depends on why they are asking. If someone is just nosey then i won't answer it but if someone is genuinely interested in building something similar then i will say you can expect to pay in the range of x x x x .

[DOOM]

I constantly get that question ! I'll tell someone I know but I will do the same with a stranger , if there asking because they want to know what to expect I'll tell them. But just to answer how much "ALOT" that's it. Most of the questions come from the the boards.

[TheJDMan]

I got that question just this past weekend at one of the very few car shows I go to. I told them what I paid for the car when I purchased it 43 years ago. Of course that is no where near what the car is worth today but I did answer the question. My experience with car shows in general is that people ask some pretty dumb questions and make some even dummber comments which is why I rarely attend them anymore.

[T_Raven]

It's not so much what people ask, but how they ask.

It gets pretty annoying that people who don't own classics have little tact when asking about, or commenting on a car.

Saying "Man that's a sweet car. If you don't mind me asking, what does it cost to build something like that?", is a lot nice than asking how much did it cost.

One that really grinds my gears is when they just walk up and ask "how much?" without even a hello. I tell them what I'd take, they say "it's not worth that", well it's not for effing sale! Though if they say hi, compliment the car, and ask if I'd consider selling it, that's much more polite.

When people really hound me about buying one of my cars, I'm like, if you really wanted one, you'd have one already. Go find your own. A lot of people think it would be cool to "fix up an old car", but they would lose interest if they had one, and that's why they never have had one.

I don't even like going to car shows because everyone's an expert that has to tell their kid or wife everything that's "wrong" with the car. I'll keep taking cars to shows for the sake of the people that want to see them and not pick them apart, and to support the hobby so that the younger crowd has something to get interested in, but I wish everyone would shut up lol.

[JsTA]

For me its a little different because I've never had a car that I have poured tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars into so that may change things. I also don't make the kind of money that a lot here do to afford to do builds like that. However, I would gladly tell everyone what my mental number is (I think most have a decent idea or ballpark) for how much it would cost to build a copy of my car. Just the same, I think salaries shouldn't be this super secret squirrel taboo thing either. I won't ever brag about how much I make but if someone asks I will tell them because I haven't ever understood why them not knowing is the better alternative.

I think someone asking politely like said above is okay because it puts them into the "genuinely curious" camp and maybe they are wondering what it would take to build one.

[ironworks]

If its anything less then a 15 minute conversation, I just say alot. If its longer then a 15 minute conversation we start with some simple item costs. Engine is .... Trans is....... Paint job is.....

Then some guy goes, you must have like 30k in this car....

[BMR Sales]

Pretty Rude Question! It's something you don't even want the Wife to know!

[Vince@Meanstreets]

When ever someone asks how much I have in it its always half, if someone ask how much I want for its always double. :lmao:

[68Cuda]

How much did you pay for it?

I answer truthfully: $350. But that was in 1988.

When they ask how much I have in it I can also answer truthfully: I don't know. Besides, it has evolved from a street racer to a cruiser, and now it is being redone again as a "Restomod / Pro Touring". So it has been 3-4 cars since I have owned it. Hate to label it, just doing with the car what I want so I can enjoy it.

How much would you sell it for? It is not for sale.

Pretty simple really.

As far as what it is worth or any other now moot questions, I really don't care. But I have spent so many years on it and the car has been with me my entire adult life, so all these things are kind of pointless.

It is insured for what it would take me to build something similar.

I think it is kind of a rude question unless you are in open negotiation for a purchase.

[214Chevy]

I don't ask a person what they paid for an entire car or build, because I can tell by looking if its, a $50k car or a $400k. I'm not an expert, but we all can tell when a guy spends huge dollars on a build by looking at it. Just like we all know what simple, daily driver looks like. I'm pretty sure we've all spent enough money on parts and do-overs to know what a person has in a car. If he starts talking aftermarket frame, supercharger, 3-piece wheels...along with the stuff you can see like a custom interior, later straight paint job....you already know that an easy six figure car. So therefore, I usually don't ask. If I see a part I like on a car and they guy says he had someone make it...you already know, custom one-off...you don't even have to ask. LOL!! But, if I see something like a part that I like I'd ask where'd you get it and snap a pic of it or something and try to find it.

[Flash68]

^^ This is a good side point. Don't ask a question about the cost or price just for the sake of asking. That is not cool.

If the question is serious, has merit, and isn't the first question asked, it could be taken seriously and be reasonable to answer, if you choose, of course.

At the end of the day, it's really all personal and individual.

So, how much ya'all pay for your wife's wedding ring? :lol:

[Interceptor5588]

I guess it depends whether you're proud or embarrassed about the Number! I don't take it as being rude, I just usually BS around it. I lost track of my Number long ago anyways

[MaxHarvard]

I don't like the question because it bums me out to think about!

[qnitro]

It depends, if there are just looky loo's I will give them standard omg see the marks from giving blood, but if it's someone who's looking to get buried into this love affair, I will talk them through numbers.. Rough numbers will talk never the less

[Spiffav8]

So many people are all about big number. Regardless of the topic, whom ever has the biggest number, feels like the biggest badass. That always make me leery of the persons reason for asking. If you get that guy who thinks he's cool, but knows he could never afford it, he will throw out the "it's not worth that much" pretty fast. The other side of the coin is the guy (or Gal) who is genuinely interested and would probably like to own one at some point. I've had the follow up question of "what makes it worth that much". Fair question. Makes me wonder what they get from other owners they've asked the same questions. Think about it.....whenever you look at cars for sale, a lot of sellers claim they are worth WAY more than they really are. Bragging rights I suppose.

Anyways....I think it comes down to the person who's asking and I agree that someone who is interested will usually have a conversation with you about the car before asking.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

So many people are all about big number. Regardless of the topic, whom ever has the biggest number, feels like the biggest badass. That always make me leery of the persons reason for asking. If you get that guy who thinks he's cool, but knows he could never afford it, he will throw out the "it's not worth that much" pretty fast. The other side of the coin is the guy (or Gal) who is genuinely interested and would probably like to own one at some point. I've had the follow up question of "what makes it worth that much". Fair question. Makes me wonder what they get from other owners they've asked the same questions. Think about it.....whenever you look at cars for sale, a lot of sellers claim they are worth WAY more than they really are. Bragging rights I suppose.

Anyways....I think it comes down to the person who's asking and I agree that someone who is interested will usually have a conversation with you about the car before asking.

Its like a limp one inch contest, you might win but you are all losers.
:peepwall: :lmao: :lmao:

[Zspoiler]

I and maybe the rest of us just don`t add the recipients on cars.Its too scary.Its just a hobby that we do over time ,and what we can afford.I would where the Professional shops that have done business with.But the work we share with our family and friends.Is no ones business but to those concerned.And if you can`t afford this hobby .You can do something related.Like Photography,and or building model cars.That where I started then worked up from there.