posted 10-23-2002 03:38 PM                    

To me that is like saying, "How much do you make?" or "How much is in your checking account?"

Does it really matter to them? If you said, "Only $30K" are they going to run down and get one? Probably not.

I was taught you don't ask questions like that of people. I know, they are just curious but, that doesn;t entitle them to asking personal questions.

So, what do I tell those curious little minds?

"I honestly don't know, it was a gift from my board of directors." That gets alot of Woah's and Ah's and Um's.

posted 10-23-2002 04:06 PM                  

1999 Mustang
1997 Camaro
2000 Camaro
1999 Corvette
18 Year Old Prowler Owner

posted 10-23-2002 04:19 PM                  

I think that driving any kind of rare or exotic car is an invitation for attention, both good and bad. I live in Los Angeles, the most car-conscious city on the planet, probably. Yet, the most common question by an overwhelming margin is "What kind of car is that?". Not just from kids, or the elderly, but from folks who would otherwise seem to be the type that would have at least heard of the car. So, there is a definite lack of knowledge about the car that makes people curious.

Now, if there was a prancing horse on the hood, I think most people would understand that this is a car that is out of their price range and well into fantasy-land. But when they learn that it's a domestic car, and one that they've never seen or heard of at that, then they get curious about the cost of admission. I don't think they are trying to be rude, or even realize that it's a pretty personal question that their moms probably taught them not to ask. They just get caught up in their curiousity and leave their manners aside.

I've only been asked that question a couple of times, and it really didn't bother me, because I think I understood where they were coming from. So my answer is to tell them about how much the cars list for new ("mid-$40's), and leave it at that. It isn't like they can't call a dealer, look on the internet, etc., to find out.

You're right, most people aren't going to go out and buy one when they find out its a relatively affordable car. But I can't see any point to leading anyone to believe that it's an incredibly costly exotic, either.

Hey, last week I had a neighbor of mine pull up next to me at a stop sign in a brand new turbo Carerra with the paper tags still on it. He motioned for me to roll my window down, and had 2 questions: What is it, and did it cost more than $100K? When I told him it was a Prowler, and that it was definitely under $100K, his last question as the light changed was if I knew of a dealer that had one in stock that he could go get that day...

At that point, I was feeling pretty good, even though I probably paid less for my whole car than he paid as his down payment!!!

It's all good - the car just makes people happy and curious.

posted 10-23-2002 04:49 PM                  

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Goetz:
I have only been asked that a couple of times by people who are just nosey and when I say a bunch they follow with I'll trade you my camaro then I get to folow up with "HOW MANY OF THOSE DO YOU HAVE" that shuts them up real fast. But I find most people ask because they want one and when you tell them no more than a new Suburban or loaded up pick-up they are surprised, I know I have sold 3 that way.

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I got it all the time when the car was new...4 years ago...I have used Bob's response alot..."How Many do you Have"...but most of the time I would tell them I got a good deal.... they don't think much about putting 40 grand down for a truck... and there are alot of $40,000 trucks now

I did get rude with teenager (car was only 1 month old and on way home from Dream Cruise) at @ KFC one day when ask how much....I ask him would he like it what he paid for his cloths or other items...later I felt bad about it but that is the 1st question everyone asked back then and had a weekend of HOW MUCH ?

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Larry & Sue Mayes

posted 10-23-2002 04:58 PM                  

If people are cool and polite about it, I will answer all their questions and show them everything on the car. If they have young kids, I will let them see the inside or even let them sit in it if I am not in a hurry. I really have no problem telling people what I paid for the car. They may be possibly asking to buy one for themselves or, not knowing anything about the car, trying to find a reference for what it sells for. However, if someone is an a-hole, like one guy who confronted me in a parking lot right after I bought my Prowler, I will usually tell them to "have a good day" and leave them there.

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Bill Gallagher
1999 Red
www.MagicTouchDesigns.com

• MTD Prowler Intake System 2.2
• MTD Bypass Kit
• MTD Suspension Frame Braces
• Other Modifications

posted 10-23-2002 07:08 PM                    

quote:

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Originally posted by Prowler:
Whenever I've been asked that question it has been in the tone of "Are these things affordable ?"

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How about saying, "Sure, Bill Gates has 3-4 of them...."

posted 10-23-2002 07:09 PM                    

quote:

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Originally posted by Gene:
Know the filling,I have a Cobra kit car and all the time people are asking is it real.I'll never understand that question since 99% of these folks are too young to know what a real cobra is,so my answer normal is when lite changes we can run to next lite for $1oo.oo and that shuts them up.

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In reality, alot of the kits are BETTER then the real thing. I am looking at Superformance and Factory 5. The later is even coming out with an aluminum body option.