In another recent thread it was mentioned that Mods reduce the value of the car. As a very recent purchaser of a very clean, low miles (24K) original 99' convertible I was curious about what mods are considered bad for value and which ones were more acceptable.

I don't intend to do many but after I replace the original tires this weekend I'm thinking about replacing the original stereo with something modern (single DIN). I've also considered having the seat skins replaced and may look at wheels. What I don't want to do is something that's going to devalue it. I don't drive particularly fast or race so engine mods are probably a waste for me.

I'm not intending to sell anytime soon but would rather not make a mistake either. The friend that sold it to me had kept it in really good shape and I don't want to be the one to mess it up.

Mike

 

id say any mod that would have to tear into the engine would be a bad one, or one that abuses and shortens the life of an engine, like NOS or a rebuild of any kind.

Good mods are :

-leather + interior update
-good quality 3 piece wheels
-stereo update
-intake-headers-exhaust

 

Any mod that's not factory original can technically devalue your car, especially as these cars get older, you can put a $3k aftermarket stereo or exhaust system in and a buyer can say it's worth less the price to return to stock and another buyer will pay more over stock if that's what they want, if you're worried about the value when you sell it just do things you can easily change back, enjoy your car and keep your original parts for resale....

 

IMO...

Negative:
• Any engine mod other than maybe intake
• Anything that adds significant horsepower
• Cheezy cosmetic Mods (usually anything low-cost - I won't name items to keep from offending anyone)
• Lowered vehicle

Positive (but probably will not add to the resale value):
• Anything that improves strength/reliability over stock from established vendors (RPM Transmission, Dewitts Radiator, etc.)
• "Quality" interior mods (VE, Caravaggio, DD etc.) seats, etc. - again may not add to resale value, but may help the sale.
• Corsa or other improved X-pipe/Catback system.
• LED Halos
• Legal window tint
• Things that are easily reversible


Risky (either helps or hurts, but narrows the field of buyers):
• Headers
• Many aftermarket wheels/tires/non-OEM sizes
• Certain types of improved headlights - especially fixed lights
• Most body mods or paint themes
• Themed items like painted murals under hoods, etc.
• Stereo "upgrades"

To clarify, the "Risky" category means those are things best done if you are planning on keeping the car or may make it harder to find a buyer

If resale is the goal keep everything stock unless you can easily sell every prospective buyer that the mod was an improvement that they can benefit from and maintain.

 

Depends on the buyer. I modify all our vehicles to fit my needs. Our 2012 Ford psd has running boards, spray in liner, external fuel tank, etc. so it helps with pulling our 5th wheel, and easier to get in and out in our old age.

Our C5 is supercharged, because I wanted more power. My concern about resale is overshadowed by my need for more power.

We have a Rubicon Jeep, that is also modified for off road reliability.

Will it hurt the resale value, Maybe,,, but I am having fun now, and that is what counts for me.

 

I'm not going to be a slave to resale value and tend to prefer a clean look but also want opinions on where the edges are. I'm leaning towards the stereo but it would be a clean install that in all likelihood someone could reverse fairly easily. I actually like the wheels on it which may be original but they're the one thing people have mentioned when they see it. I'll confess to having no preconceived ideas about wheel styles. Sort of rube in the big city when it comes to taste in wheels.

I appreciate all the opinions here. This is quite a learning experience.

 

I have a 97 with 43k miles. If I had a very low mile C6 grand sport and paid >$40k for it, I would approach mods a little differently. But if one can buy a C5 for under $20k, how much value can you really lose? Probably only the cost of the mod.

As other said, if this is a concern, only mod what can easily be undone. Hold on to the stock radio and switch it back in if you ever sell. No big deal.

 

A car where someone spent a ton of money on tasteful mods is more valuable than a stocker to....ME.

All depends upon the buyer folks.

My car is unrecognizable from stock and I wouldn't have it any other way. When I started my quest, I was lucky enough to find someone that had already spent a bunch of money building a nice 460rwhp N/A motor. SCORE.

Stock C5's and C5Z'a are, well let's face it, becoming BOOOOOORING.

 

Also depends on a dealer if you ever decide on trading a car in as they will 100% knock off trade in value for mods..their loss is our gain though as from what I've seen as 9/10 times a DEALERSHIP is the best option to buy a modded car as they want them off their lot and will sell them for what they paid for them on trade in or even take a hit...case in point 4 years ago I paid $4k less over similar stock cars for a 99' Coupe that had some tasteful mods of headers/cats/Corsa/CAI/dynotune(about $4k including labor) all things I would have eventually done so o basically saved myself $8k

 

There is a buyer for every type car. My vert is highly modified and i would not have it any other way.

 

It's worth mentioning that on a 99 (or 97 or 98) replacing the wagon wheels with OEM thin spokes may actually improve the value. That change happens very often.

Rule of Thumb: Any mod you make that's a bolt on bolt off and does not require cutting any body parts is good. Just don't throw away the OEM parts you replaced. Then when you sell, put the stock stuff back on and sell the mods used. You'll recover your "stock" value and recover a good portion of your mod investment. I used that approach on my 69 and 79. Only item I didn't save was the old seat covers, but I replaced with OEM look alikes.

 

A perfect example:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1589228108

Do it because you like it - - but don't expect to get your money back.

 

This may sound funny but it's not the money part of the value that I'm worried about. I bought this car from a very good friend and he made me a great deal at only 8K. I told him I thought it was too low but he knew I had the money to keep it nice and that was part of his motivation.

My bigger issue is that I'm not a car expert by any means but have been involved in other hobbies like guns where at some point collectibility is a factor. I've cringed in seeing a 10K shotgun with a beautiful walnut stock covered in stickers. I don't want to be that guy due to ignorance.

The later post about bolt-on vs. cutting on mods is probably a good rule of thumb for me.

Mike

 

As cheap as these cars have become mod it till your happy and drive it like you stole it, enjoy it and yourself, Its a Corvette its supposed to be fun.

 

There are some modded cars you can't buy. Better stick to boring stock cars or the ones you can get financed cause you don't have enough money to buy custom cars.

 

Exactly what I was thinking! If you want an original collectible and that makes you happy go with it. If you want to make it different and yours go with it! As long as your smiling when you look at it and while your driving it your doing it right. When its time to sell... IMO for the most part all cars are poor investments. Don't worry about what you'll get and just enjoy it while you've got it. Then again that's my thing, may be not yours. Either way, as long as your smiling your not doing it wrong.

 

Hostile much? I'm not sure how I offended you but I'll apologize as a noob.

On the other hand your sense of greater wealth however ill-founded being important is sort of disturbing in itself. I'm not too worried about folks having more or less than myself. I haven't found it to be a meaningful measure of character.

Regards,

 

Do whatever you want with a C5. They are not a collectible no matter how much we all want them to be. There were simply too many of them produced. If you have low miles and can keep it that way for another twenty/thirty years, this may become a different story, but you’re never to kick yourself like my mom does for trashing her 69 Judge even if they discover the fountain of youth.

 

Keep in mind if you get in an accident, one of the first questions from the insurance company will be "any modifications to the car?" And they're only asking so that they can use it against what they pay you.

But if you want to mod it, then mod it.

 

If you're worried about later re-selling the vehicle, I would only do mods that are easily reversed.... intake, changing out stock radio to a double din, wheels & tires.... only if you keep the original parts too. These are all things that can be easily reversed.