Modding your engine, trading it in later, any problems?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 233
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From: Pleasanton CA
Modding your engine, trading it in later, any problems?
I'm thinking about long tube headers, maybe a mild cam and getting the heads machined.
If I were to trade the car in at a later date how would the car dealer react to the sight of headers on the car? I'm out here in CA where long tubes won't pass a visual smog inspection. Would he not take the car in trade since it's been modified?
Just wondering. I want to leave my options open so to speak. I don't want to spend the money on modding the car just to find out later I've made it "unwanted" to a car dealer.
If I were to trade the car in at a later date how would the car dealer react to the sight of headers on the car? I'm out here in CA where long tubes won't pass a visual smog inspection. Would he not take the car in trade since it's been modified?
Just wondering. I want to leave my options open so to speak. I don't want to spend the money on modding the car just to find out later I've made it "unwanted" to a car dealer.
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
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Return it to stock before selling/trading.
Burning Brakes
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From: Maple Valley WA
St. Jude Donor '10
They will tell you it doesn't make your car worth any more to them, but then they'll mark the price waayyy up because of the "expensive mods". Just remove them, return the car to stock, and sell the mods before trading it in.
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They might take the car in on trade, but they also might offer you less since they would have to make it meet inspection standards.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Clearwater FL
no, they'll do what dannyG says.. they wont give you crap for it, then mark it way up! (you think they wouldn't?)
I think they got some kind of deal with the DMV to get inspection stickers because when I bought mine they just slapped a sticker right on it.
I think they got some kind of deal with the DMV to get inspection stickers because when I bought mine they just slapped a sticker right on it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Orlando FL
Then they will get a sticker and ask way too much, you will be better in long run de-moding and selling parts to recoupe$$$ before the trade or sell. why would you sell your vette? Just buy a C6 out right...then you have two vettes. A wise man said 'your first vette is merely the start of your collection' 
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From: Hanover MD
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St. Jude Donor '08-'10
nah, i traded in my 01 trans am that had been 10.6's. it had been converted over to a th400, ford 9 inch, 6 point bar, with a built motor.
put it all back to stock with a 6 speed and 10 bolt with a stock motor and i spend a few days cleaning and detailing and got more than book value for it on trade in.
the only way they could have known anything was done to it was to pull the carpet up and look where the roll bar had been cut out.
and it was sold as certified pre-owned
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From: Pearland, TX
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From: Spring Hill, Florida Life is all about new beginnings;...TRY ONE!
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Don't sell it to a dealer, sell it only to a Corvette enthusiast.
That way you will get a fair price and you will have the peace of mind knowing your baby will have a good home!!!
That way you will get a fair price and you will have the peace of mind knowing your baby will have a good home!!!
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
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From: HOME OF THE FREE. BECAUSE OF OUR BRAVE. Babylon NY
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '20
Put a blower & exhaust on it. Remove and then sell the car. Plus the blower and exhaust will still bring good money.
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From: Fremont California
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Bourbonnais Illinois
Well having gone through this same as MANY of us have. You have 3 opitions:
1: Mod the heck out of it, sell it to a dealer and loose your shorts.
2: Mod the heck out of it, take the time to put it back to stock, get close to what you want, resale the Mods and get 1/2+ alittle more than you paid, but loose money.
3: Mod the heck out of it, sell to a Corvette enthusiast, but you'll have to wait for that [B]special person[B] who has the same taste as you.
In the end Modding is the best feeling in the world. You make your car "Yours". You feel proud of you accomplishments. You strut around like a Banny Roster. But in the end, making a big gain on your investment is slim. It could happen, but slim.
Personally: I say "Mod the heck out of it and who cares what happens at the end, thus is why man works. To spend money on the love of his life---HIS CAR!!!!
1: Mod the heck out of it, sell it to a dealer and loose your shorts.
2: Mod the heck out of it, take the time to put it back to stock, get close to what you want, resale the Mods and get 1/2+ alittle more than you paid, but loose money.
3: Mod the heck out of it, sell to a Corvette enthusiast, but you'll have to wait for that [B]special person[B] who has the same taste as you.
In the end Modding is the best feeling in the world. You make your car "Yours". You feel proud of you accomplishments. You strut around like a Banny Roster. But in the end, making a big gain on your investment is slim. It could happen, but slim.
Personally: I say "Mod the heck out of it and who cares what happens at the end, thus is why man works. To spend money on the love of his life---HIS CAR!!!!
