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That is the question.- okay enough of the corny stuff. Here is my question.
If you had a 25K budget would you buy a stock/newer car and spend 10K to mod yourself or buy a older/car that already has mods that you couldn't afford to do within your budget? Example- 25K budget- 2003 15K on stock car 10K on mods or 25K 2000 Modified to all hell.
I recently read some threads that guys bought modified cars that had shady workmanship done to them and it scares me. I've always purchased new cars for this reason but since I can't with a vette I have to be really wise with how I do it. Oh and I am not a DIY'er.
It's only worth so much money over stock on the market but has well over the difference in it. In fact had it been stock I'd have sold it long ago. Being modded makes it awesome and relevant to today's vehicles. I have all the receipts and it's way cleaner than most used cars.
It all comes down to condition and receipts just like any other car.
I think this comment pretty much sums it up for you.
Buy the modded car and enjoy it. While I absolutely understand where you are coming from with the shady workmanship, I think you could find one on this forun from an owner that has cared for the vehicle well and has receipts to prove its workmanship.
This gives you more peace of mind and the previous owner will have taken the financial hit on all the parts and labor that you as a non-diy'er would have to (I'm assuming) pay someone else to do.
The downside is finding a vehicle that is mostly how you want it modded aleady will be much more difficult than finding a well maintained stock/lightly modded vehicle. It also means that whatever the previous owner did better be something you enjoy living with long term (i.e. will the exhaust sound cool initially, but too loud or drone after awhile).
I have done both with an * attached. The ONE modded car I bought had been previously owned and 80% built by me, so I was very familiar with it when I bought it back.
I hesitate to recommend buying a modded car for several reasons. A LOT of times, probably 75% of the time, you're going to be walking into a car without documentation, history, and very potentially host to a lot of bugs to be worked out. You're left trusting the word of the seller that it has xxxxx cam, such and such built motor, etc. If you can't get hard reciepts, paperwork, and a history of the work, walk. Not worth the financial risk.
Now, if on the other hand, the seller has reciepts, records, specs, etc all available, and is organized and shows a good history, then it might not be so bad.
This is assuming heavy modifications, like driveline work, motor swap, etc. Simple bolt on, cam only, head/cam cars are pretty easy to work with anyway.
And don't let someone tell you "I have xxxx into the car in mods, so it's worth that much more." BS. I wouldn't start adding to the value of the car until things like new high dollar engines, forced induction, full driveline and brake system upgrades come into play. One that recently sold here is a perfect example, Corvette Chris' APS TT car. That car was worth every penny. But a guy selling a head/cam car for $4-5K above FMV is nuts.
Hands down modded. It will save you time and money in the long run. It's about the only regret I have with mine. I'm slowly modding it where I want it, but can't help but to think how much easier my life would be if I had bought one already complete.
I really enjoyed the process of modding my car the way I wanted it, but (ironically) there is no question that I spent more $ than if I had bought an already modded car. And that is doing the work myself.
Since you are not a DIY'er, I think that pushes you toward buying an already modded car (paying someone else to do it is VERY expensive).
But I agree with the advice above - no receipts, no documentation, no sale. Walk and find another one.
The right car is out there - and if $25k is your budget, you can buy a helluva C5 for that money...
When buying a modded car you don't know how well that person installed the parts. Unless they paid someone else to do it.
Also if some shade tree mechanic installed them there would be no warranty as will most shops they do have some kind of warranty on what they installed.
I would buy stock cheap. Then paid a good shop to install what you want how you want it.
It really depends on the type of modification you are talking about.
Cold air intake and maybe a set of long tube headers and a cat back exhaust is about as far I would go to buy a car previously modded.
I enjoyed replacing the heads and cam in my car, and was well aware of all the short cuts I could have taken – but didn’t. Unfortunately, you can’t trust anyone today. Knowing the correct parts were chosen and installed correctly – and then broken in correctly (if required). Exception being if it’s a car you had prior knowledge about.
Tough call on both sides personally if the modded car has all the documentation and you can take it to your mechanic not an issue otherwise buy the stock and mod it the way you want and have peace of mind
The negative about buying in modded to me is once you shop around labor to do work installing items on your over priced Corvette parts. You will want to learn to DIY
It's why I learned how to install headers and exhaust, fix my headlight motor.... Install fenders and cam swap, and springs with trunnion upgrade. All on Jack stands. A wise DIY'er once told me, "no one will take as much time and care working on your car as you. So just take your time and work at a nice slow pace as you get acclimated all the while really learning about your car."
Only thing I would do different is try to find as many things commonly modded on the Vette I would want. Reason being money saved.
My 98 may be for sale also. All mods were done by Anger Management Racing and tuned by EFX tuning. Car is mod'ed A-4 purpose built to run a 10.50 index NA with 346 stock bottom and use as a daily driver. All work done by GM amse tech. May include Hoosiers on Bogarts on 15" rims. Everything fresh (strange brakes, 3,800 yank, etc.) includes NANO system pwr adder - no bugs to be worked out, just a badass fun car
To me, if someone is moding a car and its a supercharged or heads/cam that can' run a 10.00 quarter mile ALL day long I'd certainly question the intent of the mods. Everyone seems to have their impression on how far to mod and some try to squeeze as much as you can and still maintain daily driven dependability.
Knewblewkorvette's post puts it all in perspective. A highly modded, fully documented (and great looking) '98 C5 for $26.5k, as against the $12k or so it would take to buy a "vanilla" C5 of the same age.
And unless the "vanilla" car's history is well known, you may or may not get a good buy. Just sorting it out might eat way into you mod budget.
Impressive cars and 1/4 times, but I'm more of a canyon carver, track guy. Handling handling handling, is what I would be about... I lay in bed not able to sleep contemplating what to do... Damn it you Vettes!!
For $25k, I'd find the nicest 2003-04 Z06 STOCK car and keep it stock.
This to me makes the most sense unless you planning on doing the work yourself. I am not a DIY'er either. I got a great 99 w/40K miles. After much research on N/A mods and of course the evil blower (popular here in Colorado- I could probably get 50hp by moving to sea level). I think for me, best bet is enjoy this baby for a year or so. Keep it pristine and document all the "minor" changes. Then go after C6 or Z06 etc. A car that was designed to perform as built = best of both worlds meaning performance and reliability. This probably goes out the window if you have all the tools , space etc. and love to tinker. I don't..
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Originally Posted by Tony79dr@yahoo.com
Impressive cars and 1/4 times, but I'm more of a canyon carver, track guy. Handling handling handling, is what I would be about... I lay in bed not able to sleep contemplating what to do... Damn it you Vettes!!
See now thats what we needed to know right off the get go.
Some mod for straight line fast.
Others mod for track.
And yet others just for looks.
For me, seeing quality suspension parts and having it set up for "canyon carving" I would believe would be a lot easier to inspect the true condition of what your getting into and it's condition.
But a quality builder would be peace of mind on an engine build, too.
Their are a lot of fantastic cars on this site made by people with wayyy more experience that the local car guy.
Pick what fancys you and post it back here....take full use of the knowledge on this forum.
These people know their chit....and some others too.
03-13-2016, 11:14 PM
Shakespeare "To Mod or To Buy Mod'ed"
This to me makes the most sense unless you planning on doing the work yourself. I am not a DIY'er either. I got a great 99 w/40K miles. After much research on N/A mods and of course the evil blower (popular here in Colorado- I could probably get 50hp by moving to sea level). I think for me, best bet is enjoy this baby for a year or so. Keep it pristine and document all the "minor" changes. Then go after C6 or Z06 etc. A car that was designed to perform as built = best of both worlds meaning performance and reliability. This probably goes out the window if you have all the tools , space etc. and love to tinker. I don't..
