Exactly. I get that type of question/assumption all of the time. Some people spend it on art, house, pets, children, or vacations... I prefer cars, watches, furniture, and clothes.
It's a rude question, I could never see myself asking someone how much they paid for something that was clearly expensive. Especially as one can just google or go online to figure it out. Oh well, tact ain't for everyone.

 

"more than you can afford, pal."

 

I find those of us that are divorced and now own them like to share the story of buying them as post-divorce presents to ourselves. The subject of price usually comes up but it's weird because it's usually in a different light of how cheaply we were able to get them to afford the cars after the monstrous legal bills and other costs of divorce are all added up!

I owned one when I was young (23) and single, then sold it when I got engaged (at 26) and went from bachelor pad condo to family house living, then bought one again as soon as I got divorced (at 30) though I still have the family and family house since I'm a single dad. I can't count the number of times people asked me how much the first one cost. I guess they really wanted to know how a young kid afforded such a nice car and how much it really cost. The question of what I did often preceded or followed this. I usually answered "pimp" or "drug dealer."

 

I usually say "why do you want to make my payments for me?"

 

I always say it's a company car and I'm not sure; Easiest way to avoid the question. If they then ask who you work for, say Obama.

 

...in the recent past I have "preferred" to spend money on undergraduate and graduate educations for my daughters....after writing a really big check for the second to last semester for daughter number one's second to last semester of graduate school I decided to write one to the Porsche dealer...

 

I tell them. Generally people dont appreciate being patronized so I try not to. My response after that depends on their reaction, and that is where it gets more interesting.

 

Best answer...but I would say Lehman Brothers.

 

interesting thread, two schools of thought: tell them and see what the response is and not tell but mask with a jovial response... personally, I prefer the second because of the uncomfortable nature of the first depending on the inquisitor.

 

I don't mind telling them. It's a fair question. Very few ask. I think a lot wonder or guess. lol

 

I prefer the second as well...in large part because most of the people who are asking are not of the same mind as us and won't comprehend how we could spend this kind of money on a car.

 

"I find those of us that are divorced and now own them like to share the story of buying them as post-divorce presents to ourselves. The subject of price usually comes up but it's weird because it's usually in a different light of how cheaply we were able to get them to afford the cars after the monstrous legal bills and other costs of divorce are all added up!

I owned one when I was young (23) and single, then sold it when I got engaged (at 26) and went from bachelor pad condo to family house living, then bought one again as soon as I got divorced (at 30) though I still have the family and family house since I'm a single dad. I can't count the number of times people asked me how much the first one cost. I guess they really wanted to know how a young kid afforded such a nice car and how much it really cost. The question of what I did often preceded or followed this. I usually answered "pimp" or "drug dealer.""

Hilarious. I am in anesthesia, so the drug dealer response works for me.

 

I told both my kids that they have to either go to public school or get a scholarship. The education money is gone.

 

I too was taught that it is rude to ask people what they paid for things, and I truly believe that it is very rude. It makes me uncomfortable when strangers ask, I usually just reply "a lot" and change the subject.

It does however actually annoy me when a family member or extended family member asks me that question. I never ask anyone that question about anything they own. When one of my family members asks me what I paid for something, I remind them that I never ask them what they pay for things because I consider that to be rude behavior and none of my business.

 

You can usually judge what to say by judging the person that is asking the question.
You should answer in the spirit of how the question is posed and who is asking.

Some you should give an excuse. "It's my bosses car, I have to take it for a wash" is a good one that works and places you as a person as "one of us".

Some will need the correct answer - you can usually easily spot a genuine enthusiast by the way the question is asked. He/she well be rightly offended if you brush them off. I know, I would be...

Asking a person how much money they have can be considered rude (although I know a few reasonably wealthy people that WANT you to ask). Asking a person how much that car costs is different. It's just that. Why not answer with the correct amount if the question is a genuine one (i.e. the person is really interested) ? The person could easily find out anyway. Why should it be a secret ?

Rainier