Engine mods and their effect on resale values
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 357
Likes: 9
From: Aston (Philadelphia) PA
Engine mods and their effect on resale values
Hey guys,
I've had my C5 for 3 months now, I love every second of it. After having an LS1 Camaro for 7 years and now this car, I am really happy with the better handling of the C5 as well as the upgraded appearance. However, this car still has the LS1, and while fast in stock form I am still used to the power and would like to add a set of long tubes, heads, a cam, an intake, a TB, and a dyno tune. The car has 42,000 miles on it, and I am the type of individual who does a ton of research before spending alot of money on something. With that being said, I am wondering if the engine mods will decrease the value of the car after the mods are put on. I am already aware that engine mods (like what I mentioned above) typically do not add value to the car, but I am worried about killing the value of the car. It seems to me that most people like to buy stock/lightly modded Vettes. What are your thoughts?
I've had my C5 for 3 months now, I love every second of it. After having an LS1 Camaro for 7 years and now this car, I am really happy with the better handling of the C5 as well as the upgraded appearance. However, this car still has the LS1, and while fast in stock form I am still used to the power and would like to add a set of long tubes, heads, a cam, an intake, a TB, and a dyno tune. The car has 42,000 miles on it, and I am the type of individual who does a ton of research before spending alot of money on something. With that being said, I am wondering if the engine mods will decrease the value of the car after the mods are put on. I am already aware that engine mods (like what I mentioned above) typically do not add value to the car, but I am worried about killing the value of the car. It seems to me that most people like to buy stock/lightly modded Vettes. What are your thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,595
Likes: 959
From: Palm Harbor not far from Sebring Florida
St. Jude Donor '11
Oldtimer
Well lets face it the C5 are not going to become collector items anytime soon, so I would not worry about it hurting it in that way, but as for resale as mentioned you will be lowering you number of those that may be interested in it. Many look at a modded Corvette as one that was most likely abused. After all why add performance parts if you are going to drive the speed limit and not go top the track. I know I would shy away from it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 55
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Hi
If you do not have a well known name do your engine work then you
mightnas well enjoy it and when you sell it you will be lucky if you
are able to sell it even at a reduced price for the year.
If you do not have a well known name do your engine work then you
mightnas well enjoy it and when you sell it you will be lucky if you
are able to sell it even at a reduced price for the year.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
Likes: 156
From: Huntington tx
Mod it. You can always find someone to talk you out of it, but you are the only one who drives it.
I don't always drink beer......but when I do.................Dang I'm lying! I always drink!
I don't always drink beer......but when I do.................Dang I'm lying! I always drink!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
If going to sell it down the road leave it stock. Are keep your stock tune and all your stock parts and put them back on the car if you sale it.
P.S. LG longtube headers are the best out on the market in no more power than you are looking at doing here. Robert
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
way too much work. here is the secret to owning a car. Buy it. Treat it like you are never going to resell it. If you do decide to sell it. Then sell it to the first person that says that they will take it.
Don't worry about resell value, parts stashes, or tunes. Drive, enjoy, resell if you must.
Don't worry about resell value, parts stashes, or tunes. Drive, enjoy, resell if you must.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 363
Likes: 3
If your gonna mod the car don't worry about resale value. Make the mods you want to make and enjoy the car. I am amazed at people who buy a vette to enjoy but want mod it the way they want because they are afraid of resale value. Enjoy the fruits of you labor now instead of worrying about what might happen later. Internal mods are going to reduce your buyers pool and you will never get out of mods what you put into them. A vette is a car and cars are depreciating assets.
Reggie
Reggie
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way too much work. here is the secret to owning a car. Buy it. Treat it like you are never going to resell it. If you do decide to sell it. Then sell it to the first person that says that they will take it.
Don't worry about resell value, parts stashes, or tunes. Drive, enjoy, resell if you must.
Don't worry about resell value, parts stashes, or tunes. Drive, enjoy, resell if you must.
vettes that have been modded are starting to creep up in value
today(no telling tomorrow) Check the big auction houses.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
If you are concerned, just do the breathing mods....they don't reduce the value, probably increase it. I'm talking CAI, headers, x pipe, catback exhaust. If you want at the time of sale, just remove them and sell here or on ebay. Be sure to keep your original parts.
Administrator
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I would agree that adding some engine mods will limit your potential buyers down the line. One possible exception is if the work is done by a very well known shop (say Lingenfelter, Mallet, etc.). I would be very hesitant to buy a modded car unless I knew exactly what was done and by whom.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: The Sunshine State
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If you are concerned, just do the breathing mods....they don't reduce the value, probably increase it. I'm talking CAI, headers, x pipe, catback exhaust. If you want at the time of sale, just remove them and sell here or on ebay. Be sure to keep your original parts.
The car is plenty quick and fast enough for me and handles like it's on rails.
I don't ever plan to sell it, however if I do, I don't think these mods will depreciate it.
Plus, once you get into HP wars, it's usually the guy who spends the most money who wins.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 671
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From: Tulsa OK
It's my opinion that most potential buyers will shy away from a heavily moded car. If you spend $3,000 on mods then figure selling it for $3,000 less than book for the same stock car. If you can get more, and you might if you keep and include all of the stock items then good for you. Just plan on paying twice.
OBD
OBD
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Oviedo Florida
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It's my opinion that most potential buyers will shy away from a heavily moded car. If you spend $3,000 on mods then figure selling it for $3,000 less than book for the same stock car. If you can get more, and you might if you keep and include all of the stock items then good for you. Just plan on paying twice.
OBD
OBD
I would pay the buyer 38k to buy my vette. ( and he gets the car).
Sounds like a good deal.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: cookeville tennessee
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 357
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From: Aston (Philadelphia) PA
Thanks for the advice, guys! It already has a Bassani X-Pipe, Borla Stingers, Kirban Shifter, Bilsteins, and a K&N CAI. Based on your comments, I will most likely put long tubes on next year and have it dyno tuned at RPM in Claymont, DE. I figure the tune and long tubes should give me 35 rwhp or so. That isn't too bad, and I'll keep my stock parts just incase.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 722
Likes: 70
From: Fla
mod or not
make it the way you like it. I have modded the hell out of my car. I bought it with 33k miles and bone stock and now has 37k in 5 years of owning it. 525rwhp supercharger, cam and rev kit etc... sway bars..brakes..wheels..intakes..long tubes...etc... never abused or run hard..ever. Never raced any place. hardly drive it. I am on of those who just wants to know he has a gun. dont need to use it. just like the feeling of knowing i can if i want too. dont plan on selling since it is exactly what i designed and it is black on black 2000. what matters is when i drive it I enjoy it..just driving it and seeing all the stares enjoying the handling and the level of performance it delivers and the potential i have not tested yet. make it the way you want..a car is seldom a investment piece unless you are wayne carini who makes a living out of buying and selling investment and undriveable cars. You only live ONCE.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,260
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From: Houston TX
Why is everybody so worried about the value of their car here? It seems like people cater to the next owner of the car instead of themselves. If you want to do something to your car, do it. If it is worth $1000 less later on because of it, who cares. What is the purpose of not enjoying your car so that the next owner can enjoy it instead?
