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Advice on best way to answer the most common question people ask about any lotus.

4K views 53 replies 37 participants last post by  REKIII 
#1 ·
So I have only had the Elise for a week and I went to my usual once a month cars and coffee with it. Generally I am not near my car at these events because the point of a car show to me is to go look at other cars. When I did finally go back to the Elise, I got 6 different people who came up and asked the most hated question, "How much did you pay for it?" To me that is like asking a woman how old she is, how much does she weigh, or asking someone how much money they make.

Now I get it, any Lotus is not going to be well known by even many "car people" and as exotic cars all these models look like "a million bucks" but what is the right way to respond to that question. Any witty remarks that won't make one sound like a D-bag? I held my tongue a lot and instead of just calling them out for being rude, my normal response quickly became, "Why is that so many people's first question? I won't say how much I paid for this one but if you are interested in buying one you can look that up online."

There has to be some creative way to answer that question without being a jerk, right?
 
#2 ·
I would also like to add that the car was well received and I did find a couple kids who were really excited about it and so I told them to go sit in it for photos and I think that made their day. So I guess if the price of having such a fun car and inspiring younger generations is to have to answer that annoying question, so be it. I am not complaining just trying to learn from those of you who may have found a good way to handle it.
 
#11 ·
I see the "how much does it cost" question as an opprotnity to spread the gospel. If there is a new-ish truck nearby, I point to it and say "less than that". Or I'll tell them the exact figure - $20,000 five years ago and rebuilt title - since "not that much money" means very different things to different people. Considering the "how much does it cost" as a neutral question, I've really only ever had two negative experiences and both were people yelling "Money!" or the like. Funny enough, the first time game from a dude in new-ish Tacoma that was comparable in price, haha. But ignorance is forgivable once, but only once.

I also had a neighbor with a C30 tell me she thought I had a dead, rich relative or something. People just don't know about these cars and have no idea how affordable they are compared to 90% of new cars. Heck, if you want back seats, buy a used car with them AND the lotus cheaper than any new German car.
 
#5 ·
@fjohn624 - I come from an era where asking how much something cost is extremely rude, but that is not the world we live in now. So when people ask me how much my car cost, I tell them as much as a well-appointed pickup truck. I then add that the car is unusual for its low production numbers, not its cost.

Glen
 
#9 ·
I will agree its probably an era thing but I also struggle with that a little because in today's internet driven world, its so easy to google that question rather than being rude and that goes for any question about what something costs. I'm only 30 and I was brought up to know questions like that are rude. I had brought my neighbor with me (age 20) and he was visually embarrassed/uncomfortable just hearing people ask that.


Anyway I like some of these answers. Price per lb is pretty funny too.
 
#8 ·
Quite a Bit

I like to answer 1 of 2 ways. If it is general interest, maybe a car guy that really doesn't know what it cost, or someone who is really interested in the car then I would tell them what I paid or what they go for now.

But for many folks that may just be asking because they have no manners, or they cant come up with a good car related question to ask as a 1st question, I like to say, "Quite a bit". 95% of the time the point comes across kindly, and is perceived that they probably shouldn't be asking and they just leave it alone and the conversation continues.

But most folks that are actually interested don't seem to start with: How much did it cost? :facepalm
 
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#12 ·
I usually say "More than you can afford pal, Ferrari"....

J/K

I actually hate telling people how much the car costs because it absolutely looks like it costs so much more, and when they hear $55K most of their faces drop like "oh, I thought it was an expensive car", and move on. It's all part of owning a Lotus man, get used to it. Still gets more attention than having my dick out in church though, so who cares if it doesn't cost Ferrari money? Doesn't cost Ferrari money to maintain either... And really, down to brass tax, I'm not rich, but I could afford a 993, or 430, or Gallardo, but none of them give me what this car does.

The funnier thing is that many guys here told me I wouldn't have the car long because I'm not a true "Lotus person." Well, they were right about one thing, I'm not a true Lotus person, but I've had the car 7 years, much longer than any other car I've owned, so there you go.
 
#13 ·
I get that question a ton as well. I generally try to gauge if they are asking how much I paid or how much one would cost now. But I'll give exact figures no problem. Yes, sometimes people are disappointed by the answer being so low.

They ask what the top speed is. Also disappointed.

They ask what kind of engine it has. V12? Disappointed.
 
#14 ·
Love the price per pound idea!

I was real uneasy about answering this question at first. I've got to the point now of just giving a range. I usually just say "you can find a nice one in the $30's" to other car people. Usually for me, its the minivan guy at the gas station with a bit of a chip on his shoulder asking though. In that case, I just say its the price of a pickup. lol. I have no issue with saying the actual price I paid to car enthusiasts that are genuinely interested or considering a Lotus themselves. I find most people are surprised by how attainable these cars are.
 
#17 ·
From my experience, actual car enthusiasts never ask me that question. They'll ask about modifications, tracking/auto-x, and other car-related questions. Sometimes I'll get it from a car enthusiast who is considering buying one and they're just trying to get a sense of the market value.

But most of the people who do ask are from the general public...and they're generally being nosy, shallow, and trying to gauge my status by the value of my car. Since I don't really care what they think. I just answer them straight up and move on. They're always surprised by the value as they would've guessed it cost more. I personally take pride in owning such a cool car at a relatively affordable price. Anyways...I don't think it's as personal a question as some people make it out to be. A 5-minute google search can basically answer that question for anyone who cares.
 
#18 ·
When I first got my Tesla Roadster, I had a co-worker ask me bluntly "How much did THAT cost?" I told her "I'll tell you how much it cost, if you tell me how much you weigh."

The surprising thing is...she told me!

When I get asked that sort of question about the Lotus at like a gas station or grocery store or something, I usually respond with "This is the college education of the kids I didn't have."
 
#19 ·
Canada is much more socialist than the US. You don't tend to find the extremes on income. So having a pricey car does not invoke envy.

People asking about the price of the car are just curious, not really trying to gauge your status.

I tell them the price I paid for it ($60 K new) and suspect that some of them may look into buying one someday.
 
#20 ·
I've only gotten that question once out of the many times I've been asked about the car. It was from a young security guard at the complex where my grocery store is. When I came out of the store he was taking pictures of my car. Talked to him for a bit. He had other questions but asked "How much was that thing? Like 200k??" When I told him 30, his head exploded.
Chatted for a bit and at the end he thanked me for being the only guy with a cool car that ever talked to him. I felt sad. If I had an actual super car I would have talked to him the same as I did with my "measely" Lotus. I guess most people with nice cars are a**holes.
 
#21 ·
"Under a hundred"
 
#23 ·
I have noticed this far more with the Exige and any of my previous Lotuses. It is a bit annoying.

Mostly I reply that I traded two cars to get this one, which is true from my perspective, so I say it was free.

When they are so rude as to really try to pin me down, I think I will say what they cost new, but I did not buy it new.

I think maybe I seem more approachable than your average lawyer with a vanity plate[apologies to lawyers with vanity plates] since i invented the 'homeless chic' style, but it is bit rude.
 
#24 ·
I don't get asked that very often. When it happens, I typically respond that you can find one today for about $30k. People are more often excited than disappointed by that answer.

The most common question I get, by far, is "What year is it?" I've been asked that more than all other questions combined.

One of the best questions I've ever been asked was "How fast does it stop?"
 
#25 ·
I don't get asked that very often. When it happens, I typically respond that you can find one today for about $30k. People are more often excited than disappointed by that answer.
I'm with Grunschev on this. I usually give a straight answer, "about $30K on the used market depending upon year and condition."

Cheers,
Kiyoshi
 
#26 ·
Two most popular questions I get are:
1 - How fast is it? (Answer: I got it over 150 at the track, the car can go faster but I've never tried on the streets.)
2 - How much does it cost? (Answer: You can get them used in the 20s, but probably not with 400hp.)

I bought my car because an Elige was on my dream car list, they are fairly affordable to acquire and maintain, and I found one with a BOE400 kit that made the power to weight irresistible to me. I had NO IDEA the amount of attention this car would bring!
 
#27 ·
Hasn't this been beaten to death on the "...funniest comments..." thread?
 
#32 ·
here is reverse side:


This certifies you have seen a 2005 Lotus Elise. Made in Hethel, England.

1980 lbs; 200 hp 4 cylinder engine; mid engine; 6 speed transmission. 0 - 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, 148 mph. 27-33 mpg

Be safe; drive carefully.
--

Probably should update this, now with BOE 300....
 
#33 ·
I am fairly new to the Lotus ownership and was not expecting the attention you get driving an Elise. Almost every time I stop at the gas station or go to the store someone is asking a question, making a comment or take a picture.
Yesterday at a traffic light two teenage boys in nice truck rolled their window and said "Nice car, what is it? A Ferrari?" I thank them and said it is a Lotus and their respond was "The same thing as Ferrari" :)
When being asked by rude people how much I paid for it, I just tell them: "Nothing, it was a gift". You will see their eyes popping out :)
 
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