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Hi all, I'm picking up my "new" 50th anniversary edition in the AM, assuming I can find no major defects, and yes, I'll post pics.
My question is; Do modifications reduce the value?
I'd like to personalize it, maybe some stripes, something subtle, not too outrageous.
Possibly an exhaust system, at least cat back.
The thing is I want it to retain it's value, I view it partly as an investment that I can enjoy, but I don't want to lose money on it in 15 years or so.
As a guy who had emergency 5-way heart bypass in my 50s several years ago, I say Live Now. Mod or don’t mod, just enjoy every day. I still thank God every time I drive my C5 because I’m still here to enjoy it.
I added new Alpine head unit with car play and Sirius, speakers, compact sub, back up camera, new seats and foam and a lot of sound deadener. I do it because I want it. I’d like to keep it for the duration, but the future is impossible to predict for prices, trends, buyers’ tastes—and each of us. Either way, enjoy your new C5.Hope that helps.
Would you pay more for a wide body L5 front and rear with C6 Z06 big brake kit and GS rims over a bone stock C5 of the same year/mileage? Honest question, I probably would, I wonder if CARMAX would though..... I think some mods INCREASE value to the right buyer.
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If you do relatively minor mods that can be easily reversed, or mods that are extremely popular, then the value is relatively unaffected IMO. Does that mean the value won’t drop - no, but the percentage of value decrease is likely less than mods that totally change the character of the car.
At time of sale, the opinion of the buyer as to the value of the mods is the driving factor. Mods seldom add return value compared to initial outlay.
Just an FYI - there were a lot of 50th AE cars made so they are not rare - buying the car as an investment may not be the best route to take. Buying it to enjoy, as in driving it, is a much better way to go. And the two mods you mention are not outrageous ones - they can be easily reversed as long as say the stripes are vinyl rather than paint.
C5's are more of an investment in joy and smiles. There were way too many produced for these cars to become collectors that gain investment value. So build it, customize it, drive it, enjoy it.
Most mods neither increase or decrease the vehicle's value. Many buyers avoid big powers mods which affect reliability and other drive line parts. Then there are concerns whether mods were done professionally or by an amateur watching u-tube videos. I recommend saving the original parts when performing modifications.
It all depends if you can find a buyer that likes the mods you have done and trusts you had them installed correctly and have not beat the car to death. That having been said, don't mod your car unless you are going to keep it long enough to recoup the mod costs with your ENJOYMENT.
I agree with most of the comments above. I have done many mods to my C5, none of which are particularly major mods, but collectively take the car far away from stock. Is the car worth more now? Maybe, to the right buyer...more than likely, no.
But it is just the way I want it, which makes my enjoyment factor go WAY up.
There are several C5 models I would not mod. Among those are the '98 PC, the '03 AE and the '04 CE. I do believe keeping these cars stock, or at most minor mods that can be easily reversed, is the way to go.
Would you pay more for a wide body L5 front and rear with C6 Z06 big brake kit and GS rims over a bone stock C5 of the same year/mileage? Honest question, I probably would, I wonder if CARMAX would though..... I think some mods INCREASE value to the right buyer.
"To the right buyer"......No truer words were ever spoken, from the man who tried to sell his LS7 engined C5 two years ago for 20G, and didn't get 1 call (thankfully!!!).
The value of C5 Corvettes continues to decline. Maybe a small bump upwards this year but it's an anomaly IMO. Installing mods is for YOU to enjoy while you own the car. As most other members state: Do mods that are easily eliminated if and when you decide to unload the car. I don't believe that the C5 series of Corvettes will ever be known as a "collectible" car.
So do what you want to the car and enjoy driving it while you can... GOOD LUCK with the new wheels.
If you do relatively minor mods that can be easily reversed, or mods that are extremely popular, then the value is relatively unaffected IMO. Does that mean the value won’t drop - no, but the percentage of value decrease is likely less than mods that totally change the character of the car.
At time of sale, the opinion of the buyer as to the value of the mods is the driving factor. Mods seldom add return value compared to initial outlay.
Just an FYI - there were a lot of 50th AE cars made so they are not rare - buying the car as an investment may not be the best route to take. Buying it to enjoy, as in driving it, is a much better way to go. And the two mods you mention are not outrageous ones - they can be easily reversed as long as say the stripes are vinyl rather than paint.
Roughly 12,000 Anniversary editions built- 4000 coupes, 8000 convertibles….so hardly rare or collectible IMO regardless if miles.
As Jack wrote, modest mods like cosmetics or mods that are easily removed would seemed to have minimal impact…even with a cat back exhaust or intake. More aggressive mods like headers, coil overs or body mods certainly narrow the potential selling market.
Do your research, check the car for codes and have it inspected carefully.
Then, buy it and enjoy it for a few months before you do anything.
Do they reduce value? Sometimes. I would 100% pay less for a riced out C5 that had a bunch of stick on crap on it.
But they can sometimes increase value. I would pay more for a Lingenfelter car than regular C5, IF THAT WAS WHAT I WAS IN THE MARKET FOR.
You will have fewer shoppers with a modified car, but that doesn't mean your modified car is, by default, cheaper. Are mods an investment? No. Never. But then, neither are most cars.
As a guy who had emergency 5-way heart bypass in my 50s several years ago, I say Live Now. Mod or don’t mod, just enjoy every day. I still thank God every time I drive my C5 because I’m still here to enjoy it.
I added new Alpine head unit with car play and Sirius, speakers, compact sub, back up camera, new seats and foam and a lot of sound deadener. I do it because I want it. I’d like to keep it for the duration, but the future is impossible to predict for prices, trends, buyers’ tastes—and each of us. Either way, enjoy your new C5.Hope that helps.
Do mods reduce value?
