Do I sell or modify????
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,779
Likes: 491
From: Shits Creek NY
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,831
Likes: 1,847
From: NJ
2025 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Mod it. You already know what you have and what you want to do. There are over 6,000 commemorative editions out there, over 2,000 Z06's. They aren't that rare ... yet. I say enjoy it. You only live once. I don't regret modifying my CE coupe one bit. Stock is boring, imo. But if you decide to sell it, I'm sure the next person will get a real nice untampered vehicle to modify. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
Lot of variables in the equation, and many of those are subjective/unique to you.
For example
Are you modding for the fun and experience, or do you want to mod because the Z06 doesn't have enough go power for you?
Given the C7 outperforms the C5 in just about every aspect, is there something about the C7 you don't like? (Yes, aesthetics count)
If not, that leads to a totally pragmatic question:
Decide how much you are willing to spend on mods on your C5.
Then price a C7.
The amount you are willing to spend modding the C5 is what percentage of the cost of a C7?
In your perspective, at what percentage does a new car becomes a better value than modding the old one?
For example
Are you modding for the fun and experience, or do you want to mod because the Z06 doesn't have enough go power for you?
Given the C7 outperforms the C5 in just about every aspect, is there something about the C7 you don't like? (Yes, aesthetics count)
If not, that leads to a totally pragmatic question:
Decide how much you are willing to spend on mods on your C5.
Then price a C7.
The amount you are willing to spend modding the C5 is what percentage of the cost of a C7?
In your perspective, at what percentage does a new car becomes a better value than modding the old one?
Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 524
Likes: 48
From: Allenspark Colorado
I decided to buy a very nice low mile C5 coupe that was tastefully modded, and I modded it more. I love it and I drive it whenever it's nice out (400+ sunny miles this weekend).
Last edited by RockyMtC5; Apr 3, 2016 at 11:30 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 470
Likes: 58
You have a very reliable platform and example of same. As Corvettes go, also one on the more collectable end, which protects you against not getting your money back. Everything is reversible--most every 67 427/435 is back to pristine now, and abused or not, held their value better. Some say there are even more of them now than produced! You will spend less and have a more reliable car if you mod what you have. Life is short, enjoy it. Some guy paid 54k for mine, drove it only 13k on sunny days, stored it climate controlled all those years and sold it to me more than 1/2 off, and it still smells new inside! It's still worth what I paid for almost 4 years ago. Who got more utility out of their money spent?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 901
Likes: 190
I was in the same situation, I bought my CE Coupe from a gentleman who would have shuddered at the thought of driving over 70 mph in this car, let alone install anything aftermarket. I then realized no matter what car, C5, C6, etc. I would still want to personnel my ride. So what better place then a low priced C5. I also plan to keep mine at least 10 years, so I'm going all out with my mods over the next two years. I've even decided to install an aftermarket hood and drill holes to install a spoiler, shocking to many people! But it's what I will enjoy driving and something I've always wanted to do. To the OP, your car is the best starting point for modding, nobody else's mistakes, you already have one, and a modded LeMans Blue coupe, convertible or Z06 is a beautiful thing!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 304
Wouldn't it be interesting if most men on this site treated their wife/GF like their 5K mile garage queen corvette?
You don't sleep with them very often so you can save them for the next guy in a few years. How thoughtful........
Shakey
You don't sleep with them very often so you can save them for the next guy in a few years. How thoughtful........
Shakey
Racer
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 265
Likes: 25
From: Houston Texas
Broader Question: When to Mod vs. Maintain Stock
This thread hits home for me as I am the proud owner of an '03 AE with about 8200 miles on the clock now. I am itching so bad to start with modifying the car but I am concerned about hurting resale value down the road.
Is there a certain amount of miles per year or miles overall on a car at which it is no longer considered a collectible even if it is rare? I know the AE was produced on the scale of about 10K units but I figure this far out there are few remaining with similar mileage and condition. That leaves me wondering if I am doing myself a disservice if I start putting in aftermarket goodies.
Thoughts?
(PS Sorry to OP for hijacking the thread).
Is there a certain amount of miles per year or miles overall on a car at which it is no longer considered a collectible even if it is rare? I know the AE was produced on the scale of about 10K units but I figure this far out there are few remaining with similar mileage and condition. That leaves me wondering if I am doing myself a disservice if I start putting in aftermarket goodies.
Thoughts?
(PS Sorry to OP for hijacking the thread).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 41
From: Chesterfield (St. Louis) MO
This thread hits home for me as I am the proud owner of an '03 AE with about 8200 miles on the clock now. I am itching so bad to start with modifying the car but I am concerned about hurting resale value down the road.
Is there a certain amount of miles per year or miles overall on a car at which it is no longer considered a collectible even if it is rare? I know the AE was produced on the scale of about 10K units but I figure this far out there are few remaining with similar mileage and condition. That leaves me wondering if I am doing myself a disservice if I start putting in aftermarket goodies.
Thoughts?
(PS Sorry to OP for hijacking the thread).
Is there a certain amount of miles per year or miles overall on a car at which it is no longer considered a collectible even if it is rare? I know the AE was produced on the scale of about 10K units but I figure this far out there are few remaining with similar mileage and condition. That leaves me wondering if I am doing myself a disservice if I start putting in aftermarket goodies.
Thoughts?
(PS Sorry to OP for hijacking the thread).
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 398
Likes: 14
From: Whaleyville Virginia
...
If you are going to mod the car, might as well be the one you already have and know it's history and how it has been maintained.In modding your own vehicle, you know what is exactly being done to it and you own the modified work on it.
If you buy a vehicle already modded (performance modifications), odds are the previous owner really 'dug' his right foot into the vehicle.
In my case, I would pay less for a modded vehicle because of this.
- JKHolman