Thứ Ba, 3 tháng 1, 2017

OWNERS! - do you get awkward questions about price tag? part 2

  • Feb 4, 2013
    VolkerP
    There you go, ElSup. You just busted my position. :redface: Three kids, expensive house, and I finally came to the conclusion that I really can't afford Model S. Nevertheless, I plan to drive one in a car sharing initiative. Read on here. So when I get asked how much, I'll answer "Oh no, it's not mine! You want to rent it for a weekend?" :biggrin:
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  • Feb 4, 2013
    hans
    I got the question 3 times today!
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  • Feb 4, 2013
    ElSupreme

    I'll delete my post if you want. You can pretend you unheard it. :eek:
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  • Feb 4, 2013
    Doug_G
    I get asked this question a LOT. A least a third of the time. I think I was a little put off the first few times, but I got over that years ago. I just roll with it.

    With the Roadster I say it's $100k (close enough!). There's no real way of hiding that it's an exotic sports car.

    With the Model S I say they start at $60k, and there's an $8500 rebate. I often get a "that's not so bad!" comment, at which time I point out the gas savings.
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  • Feb 6, 2013
    brianman
    CatMoney.jpg
    lolcats - YouTube
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  • Feb 6, 2013
    fluxemag
    I don't have the car yet, but I've already gotten "Really John? How much are you spending on a car?" from my Dad. I'm a little apprehensive about having the nicest car in the lot at work. Engineers typically drive crappy cars, dress in cheap clothes etc (no offense, we're just practical people in general). But like someone said earlier in this thread, everyone has a vice. I'm sure guys at work have boats or RVs, jetskis, quads whatever. I just like having a nice car, traveling and eating well. Anyways, my response will be like others have said, 50k for the base model.
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  • Feb 6, 2013
    Tempus
    I got the exact same comment from my dad a while back. I CAN'T WAIT to take him for a ride in a couple of weeks when they visit :)
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  • Feb 6, 2013
    stevezzzz
    My dad was an engineer and an early adopter. He didn't like to flaunt his money but he always bought the best he could afford and planned to keep it forever.

    I'm an engineer and an early adopter, and I wish I could share the Model S experience with my dad. He would 'get it', and I can see the Tesla Grin on his face, even though he's been gone eight years.
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  • Feb 6, 2013
    ElSupreme
    I'll agree about engineers driving cheap cars (or 'transport units' as I call them). I admit to wearing cheap clothes (I am an engineer, to work at least), but not cheap shoes. I too love having a nice car. I have been infatuated with cars since I was 12 or 13.

    Wow both of you, my dad (also an engineer) up sold me when I talked to him (after he actually looked at what a Model S was). He kept saying get what you really want, so you won't buy a better one in 6 years. So TCO he was trying to save me money, but my loan value went WAY up.
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  • Feb 25, 2013
    jvonbokel
    I got a similar reaction from my Dad initially (in fact, my name is also John). I think he actually said something like "Wow, you could buy two Mustangs for that." I inherited a love of Mustangs (and Corvettes) from him. He was skeptical for a while, but then when he saw the Motor Trend article, he was on board, and once I gave him a ride in it, he started talking about getting one himself. :)


    Very true. In fact, before the S, these were the cars I'd owned:
    1999-2003: '89 Chevy S-10 ($800)
    2003-2005: '00 Dodge Dakota ($8000)
    2005-2008: '00 Mazda Protege ($6000)
    2008-2013: '97 Chevy S-10 ($4000)

    The Dakota is what I bought after college and a couple years of saving up at my entry level job. Since then, I spent less and less, despite my increasing salary, because I had my sights set on something really nice, and I didn't want to have a car payment slowing down my savings rate.

    Btw, I see the S as an odd mix of luxury and practicality rolled into one. I would never have considered buying a BMW or a Lexus, but I just couldn't wait for GenIII.

    As for what I say when people ask, it varies depending on the company, but I've usually just given a basic price range ($50k-$100k+) and tried to leave it at that. After reading through all these posts, I'm a little more comfortable addressing it more specifically, but I also like the comparison to a BMW 5-series, followed quickly by a comment about how much cheaper it is to operate/maintain.
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  • Feb 25, 2013
    NJTestla
    Less than a 7-series/A8/Sclass and none of the operating costs... And did I mention it seats 7?
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  • Feb 25, 2013
    olanmills
    Yes I get awkward questions. I hate it, because I do not like sharing these sorts of details, and aside from the Model S which I now drive, there is little other indication of such things in my life as to how much money I have or how I choose to spend it.

    I know it's not a problem for some people here, as the circle of people you are around and the way your Model S fits into your life as not being different from whatever car you owned before or whatever.

    However, as you know, there are many people here who have said they would have never bought such an expensive car. My Model S was $90k, and previously, I would not have even considered a car that is $50k, and I didn't need a new car anyway.

    At work, some of my friends know, but it's not a big deal, as we are all in the same field and probably making around the same money. However, since this is my car, well, I use it and drive it, so people are going to see it. So I end up showing the car to other people outside of work that I know when they ask, and being under 30, I do have some akward conversations with other people that are in my age range. I hate when they ask how much it costs. I feel so weird trying to dodge the question, and am usually not successful anyway, because they usually persist. Yeah, they could figure it out themselves, but most people wouldn't bother to look it up later as they're not THAT interested. I don't get what's with people sometimes. Most people older than me that I have talked to about the car have had the tact not to ask me how much it costs, but a lot of people around my age ask, even when, if they have any social knowledge at all, it should be obvious that I would rather not answer.
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  • Feb 25, 2013
    Kaivball
    Tell them proudly.

    You worked hard, you made good decisions, you are successful. Be proud for what you have achieved in your life with your own two hands. Celebrate success, don't be embarrassed. Haters will be haters.

    Don't apologize for anything or to anybody. America needs more people like you and less on welfare and food stamps.
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  • Feb 25, 2013
    Beavis
    I usually tell them how much it costs and then ask them a question, "If it were a BMW would you have asked me how much it cost?"
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  • Feb 25, 2013
    olanmills
    I don't apologize, and I'm not embarrased about my situation, but the truth is, you can't stop people from thinking certain things, or treating you a certain way, and sometimes that's not ideal for you. So sometimes the best option is to avoid such situations in the first place, because realistically, you're not going to fix the world or change everyone's minds.
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  • Feb 27, 2013
    jvonbokel
    Can you post more details, or share a link? I tried searching for news items on this subject, but with no luck.
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  • Feb 27, 2013
    nolngrgrsngslde
    I love your answer but, how did you get the $40k. Your suburban must do 10 mpg.
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  • Feb 27, 2013
    jeffro01
    10mpg for that vehicle, especially depending on the year, isn't far off at all...

    Jeff
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  • Feb 27, 2013
    TurboFroggy
    I just go with the "It is about the same price range as a BMW 5 series, but gets twice the mileage of a Prius."
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  • Feb 27, 2013
    roblab
    I tell people that we had a good Marijuana crop last year (medicinal, of course). And I can't tell them because of tax loophole reasons.

    In California, they believe me.
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  • Feb 27, 2013
    bonnie
    Soon, I'm going to be able to say, "I won it in a raffle."

    :)
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  • Feb 27, 2013
    Majerus
    Wow, I could not stop laughing when i read that. Great answer
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  • Feb 28, 2013
    Anzir
    For my toy, it's my standard "enough to make it worth it."
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  • Mar 1, 2013
    brianman
    Hehe. So you'll be expanding to a 3 car garage?
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  • Mar 1, 2013
    meloccom
    I just tell the truth, but follow that up with the fact that I keep a car for a long time.
    My current car I bought new in January 1999.
    Most of my friends and colleagues have owned 3, 4 or 5 cars in that time and I use the savings to buy something nice.
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  • Mar 1, 2013
    ByeEnzo
    My standard answer is "14 years of schooling after high school...that's what it cost". That's college, med school, residency, and fellowship. I get this line of questioning all the time at gas stations with my Ford GT. Usually it's kids.
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  • Mar 1, 2013
    Plug Me In
    Good answer. Mine will probably be "4 years of US Navy service" as I attended medical school on a Navy scholarship. I'm rewarding myself now, since I don't have any loans to pay back. I'm calling it my "peace dividend".
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  • Mar 1, 2013
    Zextraterrestrial


    I wish I could say that for real... but sadly I'm just an engineer in Humboldt

    - - - Updated - - -



    I wish I could say that for real... but sadly I'm just an engineer in Humboldt
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  • Mar 1, 2013
    bosgig
    One of my wife's friends said to her, "that's like a two hundred thousand dollar car!" That made it easy for her to just say "it's not nearly that expensive!" As for the couple of work friends who have asked me, I just tell them what it cost, in round numbers. At the end of the day they know which version I got and it would take them 10 seconds to look up the price, if they hadn't already. I've found that very few people ask and those that do are people that I don't really care about telling.
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  • Mar 1, 2013
    brianman
    "$10K according to my Broder notes"
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  • Mar 2, 2013
    laalan
    It's funny in that I haven't gotten the S delivered yet ( waiting for RED ), but get asked the price question all the time with my LEAF.
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  • Mar 2, 2013
    Odenator
    I agree, I do not find people asking me the price of the car rude because usually they don't care how much I paid. They have no reference to judge the car and usually just want to know the price in general.

    My wife was pulled over yesterday by a Washington state trooper for doing 62 in a 60. He said she was doing 74 but the Escort 9500ci told exactly when he hit her with radar and she was able to convince him it was the other car that he had actually tagged. Regardless, he gave a warning and then she proceeded to spend the next 15 minutes doing Tesla time with the trooper. He asked how much the car costs and my responded with the stock $50k-$100k answer and he was surprised that such a nice looking and fast car could start at only 50k. The trooper didn't care how much we paid for the car, all he wanted was info on a beautiful car that he had never seen and never heard about. As an early adopter, I feel that one of our responsibilities is to inform the public about the EV experience and that includes the price of ownership. Just my 2cents.
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  • Mar 2, 2013
    brianman
    I'm not fond of Olympia. Probably because when they pulled me over for speeding -- with cruise control set at 4 above the limit -- the officer never returned my license. That made the incident an even larger PITA.

    Sometimes state capitals are worse than small towns for using traffic as a governmental income source.
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  • Mar 2, 2013
    Mr X
    i dont understand whats so bad/rude about someone asking you the price of your model s
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  • Mar 3, 2013
    Z1970
    I live in The Netherlands and still have to wait 10 months or so (p2853). Over here cars are more expensive (21% vat), fuel is more expensive (+/- 9� a gallon, or 1.90 per liter) and we pay road usage tax (�100+) a month. So I get away with the purchase price by telling them: no fuel, just cheap electricity, no road tax, and for me as business owner, I can deduct VAT and use very interesting tax breaks that save me �25000 in business taxes. And the best: if you drive a business car for private as well, you have to add 25% to your income every year for tax, making you pay �12000 (in my case, being taxed 52% on my income) to the government for a car. But with EV's, you do not have to pay this. I'll save you the calculation, but in my case I'll drive it for free over a period of 6-7 years.


    So you can imagine that I don't have a hard time explaining why paying almost �100.000 (inc VAT) makes sense. My current Lexus was 65k and costs me way more.
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  • Mar 3, 2013
    jerry33
    What you pay for things is generally considered nobody else's business, so asking is not only somewhat rude, it also shows a fair amount of laziness as the prices are posted on Tesla's website for all to see. Now there are some companies that keep their prices secret and to get them you have to deal with a sales critter--it's not nearly as rude to ask someone about prices for those kind of items.
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  • Mar 3, 2013
    hans
  • Mar 3, 2013
    JackA
    Charlene and I have determined to answer this question along this line: "...we looked at several different cars like the 7 Series BMW and the S-Class Mercedes as well as replacing our Cadillac CTS-V these are all in about the same price range. We just really liked this car better..." In short, it is none of your business what we paid for anything we own. I am not "guilty" because I have managed my life well and can now afford what we want.
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  • Mar 3, 2013
    Owner
    I'm in agreement with you Mr X. It is publicly available information, so what's the secret? A few website clicks, and they will have the answer. Its a different category to me than saying "How much do you make per year?" or "How much do you have in the bank / stock market / investments?"

    It is funny just yesterday a "die hard car person" asked me that, and I just answered in detail. Didn't flinch.

    I might flinch if it was someone who I know simply could not afford it, but those friends probably would not ask. And I actually avoid talking about the car too much to them much anyways.
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  • Mar 4, 2013
    Trnsl8r
    I'm in the camp that don't consider the price question rude. However, a more remote acquaintance (could really say "former friend") asked me if I had financed or paid cash for it. That, oddly enough, ticked me off and I replied "first explain to me why that is any of your business".
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  • Mar 4, 2013
    kinddog
    Why? cuz it's financially awkward, isn't it?
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  • Mar 4, 2013
    Al Sherman
    Yes but I think the awkwardness comes (with most folks) in not wanting them to feel badly. It's not that I feel guilty or anything. I understand not talking about it in some circles because of this.
    We live outside of a very small 1 factory town. I've been in a bowling league with great friends for 20 years. Sometimes these guys don't have the 13 bucks to bowl on Thursday night and we have to get a sub. These guys will never own a new car, much less a new Model S.

    Having said that; you can't really keep these things secret. Heck, I'm gonna drive the MS to bowling. They're gonna see it and ask about it and eventually drive/ride in it. They all know I live in a big house. They all know I own an airplane. They'll all know I have a Model S. We're still good friends. My dad always said "just because you were born on third base doesn't mean you hit a triple."

    I've just found that a little humility goes a long way in preserving friendships when discussing/disclosing expensive purchases.

    Bottom line: IF they ask, I tell. If not, I try to be the least obnoxious I can while still enjoying whatever material thing is in question.
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  • Mar 4, 2013
    Owner
    No, not really. At least not here in Northern California. May be somewhat regional?

    I have a lot of friends with minimal resources. I try as best as I can not to create perceived differences between myself and others around me. The car itself is just a small part of the picture.
    In the case of the car, I talk about electric cars but don't really focus on just my car. Other electric cars such as Leaf, Volt or Prius may be more in their price range.
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  • Mar 4, 2013
    kinddog
    exactly! my point is that it's just the reverse angle of getting "the question". you said it's perfectly fine if someone asks you, but then say you purposely avoid even acknowledging that you own such an expensive car.

    one coin, two sides
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  • Mar 4, 2013
    Rodolfo Paiz
    Agreed on all points, Al (including those not directly quoted here). But if I may... which airplane? As a fellow pilot based out of KFLL, I'm always curious.
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  • Mar 4, 2013
    Al Sherman
    We have a KingAir C90GTx. Her name is Penny.
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  • Mar 4, 2013
    Rodolfo Paiz
    And a beautiful young lady she is, good sir. Our own little Emma is a 1980 C414A. I don't want to drag this thread too far off-topic, so I'll leave it there... we'll talk planes soon enough. :)
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  • Mar 4, 2013
    brianman
    Etiquette discussions with kinddog are just cracking me up. It's even funnier that he's right. :)
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  • Mar 5, 2013
    Al Sherman
    Amusing yes. Yes, he's probably right. However I think we're splitting hairs. When asked I communicate openly, and honestly. I tell the truth about what the car costs. I don't want to put words in Owners mouth, or feelings in his heart. My feeling from his posts is that any "awkwardness" comes from trying to spare other peoples feelings. This is human compassion. I've always found that compassion enhances social interconnection, friendship, and mutual respect.
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  • Mar 5, 2013
    kinddog
    i am nothing if not compassionate towards my fellow man. Albert Schweitzer once said: "The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others." :smile:


    i got "the question" the other day from a relative. it was actually the first time i've been asked. i hadn't rehearsed an answer, so this is what i riffed out: "they cost anywhere between $60-100k. honestly, mine's on the upper end of that scale, but I opted for a lot of sh*t you don't really need."

    that seemed to satisfy him. he didn't press on after that for a specific figure.
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  • Mar 5, 2013
    Al Sherman
    Open and honest. Perfect!:smile:
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  • Mar 5, 2013
    rlpm
    Permission to use?
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  • Mar 6, 2013
    Owner
    Al, I think you understand my sentiments. I have thought through and struggled with this issue in general for many years. At this point, I don't feel awkward. My money is self made. Although I don't know if that term is ever truly correct as the society at large provides an infrastructure to make that happen but I digress.

    At what point do you hide or not enjoy your resources in order to avoid awkwardness or sparing other people's feelings? I don't buy things for the sake of showing off. And in comparison to the Roadster and a lot of other fancy cars, the Model S is under the radar here in Northern California.

    I'm trying to reconcile the name kinddog with kinddog's photo...
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  • Mar 6, 2013
    sp4rk
    We all are.
    One day we'll get to meet kinddog.
    And we'll see first hand ...

    Bichon Frise Puppy Barking - YouTube
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  • Mar 6, 2013
    Al Sherman

    My understanding is that he actually has a much smaller type dog. Not sure I remember correctly but maybe a Pug?

    The mods felt the German Shepherd Dog was more appropriate for his avatar and he acquiesced. Correct me if I'm wrong dog.
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  • Mar 6, 2013
    Robert.Boston
    @kinddog's picture was bestowed on him by the forum moderators, somewhat as a joke, because of the difference between his moniker and many of his posts. He decided to keep it, though, so you'll have to draw your own conclusions.
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  • Mar 6, 2013
    StephenM
    Reflects my sentiments exactly. I also agree that this varies significantly by region.
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  • Mar 6, 2013
    gsxrex
    My biggest reason for not being upfront is I don't need the extra drama it creates. The jokes about being a baller, paying for lunch, etc get old quickly. And I'll get a lot of that since my company now feels that hiring fresh, impressionable, out of college newbies will generate sales success (as opposed to guys like me that have real-world experience putting customers through production and getting product on store shelves).

    I've worked hard to get where I am, and the MS is a reflection of how much work I've had to do, but I could do without the drama and office politics. :rolleyes:
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  • Mar 6, 2013
    Al Sherman
    What's a baller?
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  • Mar 6, 2013
    spatterso911
    someone with a Model S in their driveway.
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  • Mar 6, 2013
    ElSupreme
    I am getting a lot of that too. Funny thing is that I bring my lunch every day (which is part of the reason I can pay for a Model S). But I would get this anyway because anyone who has seen my car has looked it up online. I also get a bunch of this grief because I am young, and look even younger.

    I know some people think:


    • My parents paid for some of it. (HA!)
    • My wife is paying for it. (Nope works for peanuts for a 2 person non-profit)
    • I have a trust fund. (I wish)
    • I am overpaid. (Probably the opposite)

    In reality I have been wanting this for 12 years. And have the ability to do it. So I did.
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  • Mar 6, 2013
    inottawa
    +1! .......
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