"So how much did that set you back m8?"
Discussion
Other openers have included "bet you come here often", "bet that doesn't do many mpg", and the ever-favourite "how fast have you been in her?"
At least on the last one I can give an unguarded answer as I have had the car out on Bruntingthorpe and done a verified 167mph (indicated 175mph) perfectly legally.
My favourite one has been
"Nice car. What is it?"
"A TVR Sagaris"
"Who makes that then? Ford?"
"TVR"
"Oh they're really unreliable"
"Really? What went wrong with yours then?"
Most bizarre one was a lady at work once.
Her: "TVR? Hateful, hateful, awful things! Mind you, I have no idea what one is".
Me: "..."
Anyway, back on topic, I think it's pretty rude to ask a total stranger what something is worth as your opening question.
At least on the last one I can give an unguarded answer as I have had the car out on Bruntingthorpe and done a verified 167mph (indicated 175mph) perfectly legally.
My favourite one has been
"Nice car. What is it?"
"A TVR Sagaris"
"Who makes that then? Ford?"
"TVR"
"Oh they're really unreliable"
"Really? What went wrong with yours then?"
Most bizarre one was a lady at work once.
Her: "TVR? Hateful, hateful, awful things! Mind you, I have no idea what one is".
Me: "..."
Anyway, back on topic, I think it's pretty rude to ask a total stranger what something is worth as your opening question.
Christ on a bike, nearly everybody who talks to you is just being polite , especially to somebody whose car is so unusual that its very presence is likely to trigger a conversation. Whatever the question it rarely is anything more than an opening gambit , expressed in the hope of having a chat which might enliven an otherwise dull day .
As somebody who was painfully shy as a teenager(not now , I can't shut up ) I was rarely able to utter a word to the guy with the Dino or the DB6 . So now I will always say hello to somebody looking at my Seven and if they seem genuinely interested I'll offer them a sit in the car so their mate can take a picture . I was that person once, but too shy to ask ...
As somebody who was painfully shy as a teenager(not now , I can't shut up ) I was rarely able to utter a word to the guy with the Dino or the DB6 . So now I will always say hello to somebody looking at my Seven and if they seem genuinely interested I'll offer them a sit in the car so their mate can take a picture . I was that person once, but too shy to ask ...
coppice said:
Christ on a bike, nearly everybody who talks to you is just being polite , especially to somebody whose car is so unusual that its very presence is likely to trigger a conversation. Whatever the question it rarely is anything more than an opening gambit , expressed in the hope of having a chat which might enliven an otherwise dull day .
Obviously I'd like to bow to your omniscient knowledge of every conversation I've had with people coming up to me, but I rather suspect I'm in a better position to judge those conversations than you are. It's all down to context. If someone asks politely and is obviously wanting to strike up a conversation, I'll happily strike up a conversation.
If they ask the price, I will always politely reply "I'd rather not say". If they then reply "oh, of course, totally understand. Lovely car!" then we can carry on talking. If they get rude, aggressive, or push me for an answer, then do you really think they are a car enthusiast who wants to chat?
Patrick Bateman said:
I've never really understood the fuss about being so precious about things like this. Also seems to apply to folk that have sold a car too.
If someone asked me, I'd just tell them.
How much to you make a year?If someone asked me, I'd just tell them.
coppice said:
Christ on a bike, nearly everybody who talks to you is just being polite , especially to somebody whose car is so unusual that its very presence is likely to trigger a conversation. Whatever the question it rarely is anything more than an opening gambit , expressed in the hope of having a chat which might enliven an otherwise dull day .
Ehhh... I think it really does depend on context and how you size up the person asking.InitialDave said:
Patrick Bateman said:
I've never really understood the fuss about being so precious about things like this. Also seems to apply to folk that have sold a car too.
If someone asked me, I'd just tell them.
How much to you make a year?If someone asked me, I'd just tell them.
Like I said, I really don't see the fuss.
ClockworkCupcake said:
Obviously I'd like to bow to your omniscient knowledge of every conversation I've had with people coming up to me, but I rather suspect I'm in a better position to judge those conversations than you are.
It's all down to context. If someone asks politely and is obviously wanting to strike up a conversation, I'll happily strike up a conversation.
If they ask the price, I will always politely reply "I'd rather not say". If they then reply "oh, of course, totally understand. Lovely car!" then we can carry on talking. If they get rude, aggressive, or push me for an answer, then do you really think they are a car enthusiast who wants to chat?
Of course not - but I have yet to encounter that reaction . I'd feel the same way as you did if it happened - something about the car you drive ? I'm amazed - friends with flasher cars than mine have never reported such a reaction either . Does yours have a provocative sticker on it or something ? It's all down to context. If someone asks politely and is obviously wanting to strike up a conversation, I'll happily strike up a conversation.
If they ask the price, I will always politely reply "I'd rather not say". If they then reply "oh, of course, totally understand. Lovely car!" then we can carry on talking. If they get rude, aggressive, or push me for an answer, then do you really think they are a car enthusiast who wants to chat?
I don't claim omniscience , just making a quick informal comment on a car forum , as you do . No need for sledgehammer sarcasm - really.
Edited by coppice on Wednesday 26th July 18:31
Loose_Cannon said:
danllama said:
I wish I was the kind of man to afford a car that prompts somebody to ask 
The actual value is largely irrelevant, the fact you have something "different" seems to arouse interest, positive or otherwise, in many people. The fact my entire fleet is worth far less than a middle managers company Merc or the nearest yummy mummy's school run Rangey seems lost on them. Talking to a plasterer yesterday who mentioned the frisson of excitement that went around his curl de sac when someone pulled up in a six grand Audi TT, eclipsing the forty grand Toyota Landcruisers etc in the houses adjacent.
In a similar veign, 2 neighbours have stuck up massive extensions, and no one has asked them how much they cost?
Patrick Bateman said:
InitialDave said:
Patrick Bateman said:
I've never really understood the fuss about being so precious about things like this. Also seems to apply to folk that have sold a car too.
If someone asked me, I'd just tell them.
How much to you make a year?If someone asked me, I'd just tell them.
Like I said, I really don't see the fuss.
Of course that is utterly rude and pointless thing to say as no one should be judged on what they make, but at the same time an opener of "Whats that cost you" invariably is leading to a judgement call based on experience. I can guarantee if you are rocking up to work in a Boxster there will be work colleagues who see the original RRP and figure you are minted/on the take compared to their rented 20k with added extra's PCPs
I liken it to my parents bedroom. Even now I consider it off limits and rude to even enter it so only go in if asked.
stuartmmcfc said:
ClockworkCupcake said:
coppice said:
something about the car you drive ?
Possibly 
coppice said:
Christ on a bike, nearly everybody who talks to you is just being polite , especially to somebody whose car is so unusual that its very presence is likely to trigger a conversation. Whatever the question it rarely is anything more than an opening gambit , expressed in the hope of having a chat which might enliven an otherwise dull day .
Completely agree. There seem to be an awful lot of insecure people around....johnwilliams77 said:
You psychological geniuses have nailed it! We are all
Insecure. Tada!
Not really. I just don't understand the point of being secretive. Insecure. Tada!
Q. “What did that cost you, mate?”
A. “It was just over £XXk, I paid a bit more than average because it’s got FSH/Alloys/Pet tiger/whatever”
Why make things complicated?
Q. "is it raining outside mate?"
A. "Why? Are you thinking of going outside?
A. "I could tell you but I'd have to kill you"
A. "Well, it's somewhere between snow blizzards and the sahara"
Countdown said:
Not really. I just don't understand the point of being secretive.
Q. “What did that cost you, mate?”
A. “It was just over £XXk, I paid a bit more than average because it’s got FSH/Alloys/Pet tiger/whatever”
Why make things complicated?
Q. "is it raining outside mate?"
A. "Why? Are you thinking of going outside?
A. "I could tell you but I'd have to kill you"
A. "Well, it's somewhere between snow blizzards and the sahara"
Not too smart are you. What people are saying is that if someone acts like a knob with a rude approach (often the case) then that's the type of response they get.Q. “What did that cost you, mate?”
A. “It was just over £XXk, I paid a bit more than average because it’s got FSH/Alloys/Pet tiger/whatever”
Why make things complicated?
Q. "is it raining outside mate?"
A. "Why? Are you thinking of going outside?
A. "I could tell you but I'd have to kill you"
A. "Well, it's somewhere between snow blizzards and the sahara"
If someone seems perfectly decent and are interested then they get a similar response. I would imagine it's rarely a 'secret' unless the car is much harder to value / figure out what the owner might have paid (McLaren F1, for example!)
I have spoken to some hypercar owners and wouldn't ask them what they paid for it as I think it's quite a rude question and would likely end the conversation (most of the owners are quite humble and don't want to bring up the subject, in my experience)
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff