"How Much Did It Cost?"

[Eric5273]

Is it just me or is this by far the most common question that people ask about the NSX?

When I had my last car (MR2 Spyder), I didn't mind answering this questions since I thought the Spyder was a relative bargain and when I told them it cost $24k, they would usually respond by saying "that's all?".

Now when I get asked this about my NSX, I feel as if I'm being a show-off if I actually tell them how much it costs -- especially if it's some teenage kids who are asking. I've resorted to sometimes just saying "a lot".

How do most of you answer this? Do you just tell them? Or do you tell them it's none of their business how much you spend on your cars? (although that would seem rude, but no more rude than them asking how much it costs I suppose)

 

[MarkB]

My respons depends on the audience. When speaking with someone I know and who knows me, I tell them flat out. If he/she is a youngster, I say most folks cannot afford a knew one. Others, I just tell them I'd rather not say.

 

[Kinan]

I get asked this all of the time too.

I've always answered "I got a real good deal, $10,000 off list"

This seems to work every time. It brings up some dollar value they want to hear, doesn't reveal what I paid and doesn't embarrass either party.

 

[KGP]

How do most of you answer this?

"Why do you ask, are you in a posistion to buy it today?"

 

[Brian2by2]

I just say: "I'd rather not remember"

 

[MvM]

Actually, the question I get asked first is more like 'Which year is it".
This is probably since our license-plate system is such that anyone who knows it just a little can tell the age of a car by lookin at the license-plate.

When people ask me how much it costs I usually reply with a question for them, like: "You mean, new?", or , "Per month?".

And when they want to know how much I paid for it and I tell them, then they always want to know if that's in Euro's or in the old Guilder-currency. Since most European countries have switched to the Euro from whatever currency they were using.

 

[Joel]

I get this question ALL the time.

I usually say how much I got it for. But I'm going to start saying "brand new costs $90k" just to see their reaction.

 

[AaronR]

whaaaaat, this old honda??

 

[Taj]

I always qoute them the MSRP when the car was brand new because there is no set value on your own vehicle. If the question is "How much did you pay for it?", this is another story.

Question: How much does it cost?

Answer: It was $XXXX when it was new.

Question: How much did you pay for it?

Answer: 1) I've got a good deal, or

2) If you make me a good offer, you can have it, or

3) Are you in the market for one?,or

4) If I can afford it, you can too, or

5) Simply tell them how much you paid for it.

 

[nsxtasy]

"It's one of those things where, if you have to ask, you can't afford it."

 

[tararan]

i have an old one so i just tell em the price i paid for it and then they would say, that's it?

its good to know people that are knowledgeable about cars. they appreciatte it more.

 

[Soichiro]

How do most of you answer this?

Either

"That's the wrong question. The right answer is 168 mph" or "It's the new Prelude, it's at the dealers right now for 14K"

 

[mason@tirerack]

How do most of you answer this? Do you just tell them? Or do you tell them it's none of their business how much you spend on your cars? (although that would seem rude, but no more rude than them asking how much it costs I suppose)

I answer one of 3 ways:

1.) "Enough...." (While smiling.)

2.) "It is not really important, is it?" (While still smiling)

3.) "Not much considering what you get." (Smiling again.)


Or I just dodge the question and pop the door open so they can look inside...this usually distracts them.

 

[mason@tirerack]

Re: How do most of you answer this?

Either

"That's the wrong question. The right answer is 168 mph" or "It's the new Prelude, it's at the dealers right now for 14K"

LOL! It is soooo funny you said that!! When I bought my '94 white/black I had someone ask me what it was and I told them it was a Honda Prelude...and they believed it!! I also convinced someone else it was a Civic coupe with a body kit.

 

[RyRy210]

I'm very straightforward and tell them exactly how much I paid for the car, but haven't got any of those questions directed to the NSX though. It's mostly to my G35 and my BMW.

I did buy my old '95 NSX @ 44K miles used and I let people know that I did not buy it new. I had a buddy that leased a BMW and he kept on telling people he flat out bought the car. He was really embarassed when the lease ended. I don't get why some people are so ashamed of letting people know they bought a car used, or whether the car was leased or financed and such.

 

[Eric5273]

I don't get why some people are so ashamed of letting people know they bought a car used, or whether the car was leased or financed and such.

I think some people equate leasing with renting, and they think if you lease a car then it's not really your car. My opinion is that my car is as much my car as if I financed it (I leased my NSX). I just have an option to give it back after 3 years.

Whether or not you lease or finance, if you want to find out whose car it is, stop making the payments and you will find out.

 

[Edwardo]

This is a good thread with good information.

I am asked this question quite a bit. Personally, I think this is sometimes a rude question to ask when it is directed at the NSX. Let me explain.

If someone asked the price of your Acura RL or G35, they want to know if they can afford it. In other words...how much did you pay for that car because I like it and I want to see if I can afford it as well.

When someone asks you how much your NSX is, I think we can translate that to...are you rich? (which is a very rude question to ask and can make us uncomforatable)

Let me further explain the above. We know how much the NSX costs. We know you certainly do not have to be rich to own one but the general public certainly thinks the opposite.

I do not believe that everyone who asks you how much your car is has an underlying question. If a 12 year old kid was drooling all over the car and was asking all kinds of questions about it, I would not assume he was asking how much money I pulled in this quarter if he queried me on the cost to own.

If some guy, who was pumping gas into his sedan at the gas station, was checking the car out and the first thing he says to me is..."so how much you pay for that?"...I would think that is rude.

There are many levels to rudeness. I think the aforementioned question is a very low level. It is kind of a tacky question and I do not think we should be offended. Most folks are just curious and they do not know where to draw the line from making casual conversation and being nosey.

 

[ChrisK]

I just tell them what I paid for it. I tell them I bought mine used to I did not pay brand new prices. I just say I had a decision to make between a brand new car or used NSX for about the same price and I choose the NSX. Most people are suprised to hear they probably could have bought a used NSX themselves.

 

[BadCarma]

"It's one of those things where, if you have to ask, you can't afford it."

Exactly!

 

[tararan]

they probably could have bought a used NSX themselves.

exactly right. but how many average people are willing to pay for an old NSX while you can get a brand new car for that price.. zero. it takes more than an average person to understand what you are getting for what you are paying.

this is why NSX would be out of ricers budget.

 

[akira3d]

But I'm going to start saying "brand new costs $90k" just to see their reaction.

I say something similar..."A new NSX-T lists for $88K but I certainly didn't pay THAT much for it."

 

[ChrisK]

exactly right. but how many average people are willing to pay for an old NSX while you can get a brand new car for that price.. zero. it takes more than an average person to understand what you are getting for what you are paying.

this is why NSX would be out of ricers budget.

True, but I do think more people than we think would buy a used NSX over new car if they only researched their options first. Some of the people I have talked to mentioned that they would have looked into the NSX if they new what the used price range was. They all seem to thing that even the earlier 91-94 years where $90K and the prices of those car are around $50K or so. The best response I get is when people tell me they are actually looking into used NSX now that they know better But then again, there are those who think the 91-94 NSX should be selling for low $20K range as well

 

[SOLOTYM]

whaaaaat, this old honda??

TOOOO funny

 

[RyRy210]

this is why NSX would be out of ricers budget.

Honestly, I see alot more NSXs nowadays driven by drivers who look like they are in their teens (maybe its just a So Cal thing). This is what depreciation does to a car. It doesn't bother me though.

 

[Tony Montoya]

We had an outdoor car show last Saturday and we bloked off many streets downtown. I asked a middle aged woman some questions about her 2003 Vette. Then I asked if it costs the same as a regular Vette and how many 50th cars there were in the city.
It was a very nice burgundy red car. I know the approximate price of a vette and she answered that the price of a vette had been dropped 10k. News to me but maybe I can afford one now.