Mods & resale value.......
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
Mods & resale value.......
I know that mods don't necessarily add to the value of your car when you go to sell it but will it decrease the value? I'm sure that evidence of nitrous and tubbed fenders can't help re-sale values but how about gears &/or torque converters, which can easily be removed. I'm going with 3.90's on my A4 and I hate to think that I'm decreasing the value of my car even though I am not planning on selling it just yet. Just curious, thanks. 
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 319
Likes: 40
From: Hemet CA
I think that mods add to the value, but not necessarily dollar for dollar - probably no more than 50% of what you spent. If I'm a buyer that likes mods, I'm not going to be put off by the changes - I'll probably welcome them, especially if I'd do them myself if I had the chance.
Heavy HP mods that indicate the car was raced or treated rough would probably put me off unless there was some evidence that the car was recently refreshed in that area - like new tires, springs, top end, engine rebuild or paint.
I'm not particularly focused on all stock, so I'm pretty accepting of change and acknowledge that the car had a previous life and an owner that did or didn't take as good care as I will - guess that's why we call our new rides "adopted"!
Hope it helps...Bill
Heavy HP mods that indicate the car was raced or treated rough would probably put me off unless there was some evidence that the car was recently refreshed in that area - like new tires, springs, top end, engine rebuild or paint.
I'm not particularly focused on all stock, so I'm pretty accepting of change and acknowledge that the car had a previous life and an owner that did or didn't take as good care as I will - guess that's why we call our new rides "adopted"!
Hope it helps...Bill
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 319
Likes: 40
From: Hemet CA
I think that mods add to the value, but not necessarily dollar for dollar - probably no more than 50% of what you spent. If I'm a buyer that likes mods, I'm not going to be put off by the changes - I'll probably welcome them, especially if I'd do them myself if I had the chance.
Heavy HP mods that indicate the car was raced or treated rough would probably put me off unless there was some evidence that the car was recently refreshed in that area - like new tires, springs, shocks, top end, engine rebuild or paint.
I'm not particularly focused on all stock, so I'm pretty accepting of change and acknowledge that the car had a previous life and an owner that did or didn't take as good care as I will - guess that's why we call our new rides "adopted"!
Hope it helps...Bill
Heavy HP mods that indicate the car was raced or treated rough would probably put me off unless there was some evidence that the car was recently refreshed in that area - like new tires, springs, shocks, top end, engine rebuild or paint.
I'm not particularly focused on all stock, so I'm pretty accepting of change and acknowledge that the car had a previous life and an owner that did or didn't take as good care as I will - guess that's why we call our new rides "adopted"!
Hope it helps...Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
Likes: 2
From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
Mods add value to some peope, reduce it for others. For those folks who are enthusiasts, it's often a good thing. To the average Joe- they like the car stock.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 50
From: Dallas Texas
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'09-'10
Remember that only a small percentage of Vette owners are enthusists like you'll find on the Forum. Consequently, mods are generally looked at as a determent, because of the possibility of abusive treatment. So do it anyway and enjoy, then sell the car on the Forum "Cars for Sale"
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 0
From: Rocklin CA
It’s been my experience that some mods seriously decrease the sale ability.
Little things don't seam to matter but big mods hurt the resale value.
The vehicle becomes harder to sell if there has been allot of work done.
Little things don't seam to matter but big mods hurt the resale value.
The vehicle becomes harder to sell if there has been allot of work done.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
Originally Posted by sxe60
Remember that only a small percentage of Vette owners are enthusists like you'll find on the Forum. Consequently, mods are generally looked at as a determent, because of the possibility of abusive treatment. So do it anyway and enjoy, then sell the car on the Forum "Cars for Sale"
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,059
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From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
[QUOTE=Pewtavert] I'm sure that evidence of nitrous and tubbed fenders can't help re-sale values QUOTE]Damn! I plan on doing the mini tub and getting some nice wide tires under the fenders next year. I would think that many people would like those Viper sized meats and nicer rims. Oh well, it is for me,not the next guy.
Last edited by madeouttaglass; Sep 3, 2004 at 08:33 AM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 7,155
Likes: 154
From: The Arid Sunny Desert
Originally Posted by noel48
My mods are bolt-ons and I kept all OEM parts.When I sell I'll return the car to original and sell the mods 
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
You have to ask yourself two things when you see a heavily modded car for sale:
1) The thing comes with a minimum of 345 hp. If he's not racing the thing, why would anyone need 600 hp?
2) Have these mods screwed up the car where it has drivability or reliability problems? Is that why he's selling it?
Then you have to ask yourself if you'd pay as much for a car with these questions as you would for one that doesn't have them.
1) The thing comes with a minimum of 345 hp. If he's not racing the thing, why would anyone need 600 hp?
2) Have these mods screwed up the car where it has drivability or reliability problems? Is that why he's selling it?
Then you have to ask yourself if you'd pay as much for a car with these questions as you would for one that doesn't have them.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
When I bought my modded 03 Z I used the fact that it had window tint and an after market exhaust (B&B PRT's which I love) as the basis to get the dealer to drop another $600 off his already best price. I did that at the time I made my offer to him. I told him I really wanted the car but I also wanted the OEM Ti exhaust and that the window tint could cause me some problems with the local law enforcement officials as it could cost me at least $100 plus the cost of the ticket to have it removed.
Walked out with a 03 Z with 4770 miles and over $1500 in great mods for $39K 4 months ago.
So mods can help or hurt depending on the circumstances.
Tom
Walked out with a 03 Z with 4770 miles and over $1500 in great mods for $39K 4 months ago.
So mods can help or hurt depending on the circumstances.
Tom
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Center of Florida Fl
You just need the right buyer at the right time. You generally get .30 on the dollar. If you have over 100k invested you will get some of it back if you find the right buyer.
But then again you can always sell it on ebay for a ton
Jon
But then again you can always sell it on ebay for a ton
Jon
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,096
Likes: 153
From: "Atlanta" Ga.
My only analogy would be this:
Its like selling a house with a pool. It will be a great selling point to the right person, but a deterent to many.
I to save all my OEM parts. This way you could sell off some stuff when you sell the car. However I did this on my 96 and it was just not dollar wise to replace everything, so I sold it with the Mods. I then sold the original parts and did OK.
Good point, if you are not a do it yourselfer, changing everything back could negate the profit from selling the stuff.
I've gone round and round with this in my head, and someone made a good point. At some point you have to decide if this your Hobby. Face it we won't get back anything near what we spent on these cars, or any car. But hey I don't golf, ski etc, I enjoy discussing and getting mods done, so its worth a few dollars. But I mostly stay in the bolt on mod department because i don't have the cash or mecahnical know how to approach serious Mods, i.e twin turbos etc. I drool over them but money and having the work done and potential for problems all are beyond what I want to do.
I want to start it and smile. I want to as Few problems as possible, knowing I will have some. But wrecking an engine or something like that would break the bank and ruin my fun
Its like selling a house with a pool. It will be a great selling point to the right person, but a deterent to many.
I to save all my OEM parts. This way you could sell off some stuff when you sell the car. However I did this on my 96 and it was just not dollar wise to replace everything, so I sold it with the Mods. I then sold the original parts and did OK.
Good point, if you are not a do it yourselfer, changing everything back could negate the profit from selling the stuff.
I've gone round and round with this in my head, and someone made a good point. At some point you have to decide if this your Hobby. Face it we won't get back anything near what we spent on these cars, or any car. But hey I don't golf, ski etc, I enjoy discussing and getting mods done, so its worth a few dollars. But I mostly stay in the bolt on mod department because i don't have the cash or mecahnical know how to approach serious Mods, i.e twin turbos etc. I drool over them but money and having the work done and potential for problems all are beyond what I want to do.
I want to start it and smile. I want to as Few problems as possible, knowing I will have some. But wrecking an engine or something like that would break the bank and ruin my fun
Last edited by Gonzo; Sep 3, 2004 at 09:48 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
Likes: 2
From: Murphy TX
Yep - it all depends on the perception of how hard the car has been run. Some people may appreciate the mods, others it will scare.
I can say that I understand most of this stuff pretty well (no expert) and I am very reserved about purchasing a used vette/viper etc. kind of car due to fears of how hard the car has been beaten.
I can say that I understand most of this stuff pretty well (no expert) and I am very reserved about purchasing a used vette/viper etc. kind of car due to fears of how hard the car has been beaten.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 0
From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Donor '03-'06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by Pewtavert
Very smart. Can be a tad expensive if you are not a do-it-yourselfer like me.
, but regard it as a small price to pay for the enjoyment of having the vette like you want it....biggest expense is for rental of the storage room 