Good or Bad???
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 4,326
Likes: 140
From: Weatherford, TX
Maybe if the owner dumps 3 times the value of the car into mods, and tries to get it back. When they become highly modded, there's a poor market. Many will recover by putting back to stock and parting out the mods. But, don't let that stop ya from having fun! 
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 10
From: Jacksonville FL
Depends on who did the work, and how well documented the build was. It could go either way. I've sold two highly modded cars without ever making a for sale thread. People that know me have bought them for well over book value, but far, far less than I had in them.
I completely disagree that it means the car has been beaten on. It is possible, but in my experience the guy who spends tens of thousands of dollars building his dream car usually dosen't abuse it. It's the guy who buys it for pennies on the dollar that beats on it and fails to maintain it properly.
I completely disagree that it means the car has been beaten on. It is possible, but in my experience the guy who spends tens of thousands of dollars building his dream car usually dosen't abuse it. It's the guy who buys it for pennies on the dollar that beats on it and fails to maintain it properly.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
When you modify a car, you substantially reduce the size of the market willing to buy it. You will never get even close to the cost of the mods in additional resale value, and it might even cost you money over a stock cars value. Many folks "de-mod" their cars and return it to stock prior to trying to sell. Take for example my car as shown in sig below. These mods are for track use and would probably limit purchase interest to folks interested in tracking the car. A much smaller subset of Vette owners track their car than the general population that would be interested in an unmodified car. I agree with Chris Stewart's post, mod the thing and have fun ! You only go around once.
Last edited by CHJ In Virginia; Jan 11, 2011 at 12:34 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,939
Likes: 7
From: Simpsonville SC
St. Jude Donor '09-'10
I have spent 4x the cost of my car on mods. I know I will never be able to recover what I have spent; therefore, I never plan on selling it! I will simply drive it forever, and will it to my sons when I die! I modded my car to suite my wants. I love it this way.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
A car or anything else is only worth what a seller is willing to sell it for and/or a buyer is willing to pay for it.
If you're planning to do it, accept it's for your gratification only. Others may not feel the same way about it.
Personally, I would not buy a car that's been heavily modded. You don't know the qualifications of who did the work, you can probably count on the fact it's been driven hard, and it takes the personal fun/enjoyment out of doing the modifications yourself.
If you're planning to do it, accept it's for your gratification only. Others may not feel the same way about it.
Personally, I would not buy a car that's been heavily modded. You don't know the qualifications of who did the work, you can probably count on the fact it's been driven hard, and it takes the personal fun/enjoyment out of doing the modifications yourself.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Des Moines Iowa
I cannot believe people say power adders negatively effect the value of the vehicle...
Wow, how come I can't find a below book value twin turbo built c5?!?
Of course your not going to get nearly the money out of it that you spent modding it, hence demoding before resale.
Sure mods will deter some, while attracting others.
Hell its your vette, build it how you want to enjoy it...
Wow, how come I can't find a below book value twin turbo built c5?!?
Of course your not going to get nearly the money out of it that you spent modding it, hence demoding before resale.
Sure mods will deter some, while attracting others.
Hell its your vette, build it how you want to enjoy it...
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From: dix hills ny
I cannot believe people say power adders negatively effect the value of the vehicle...
Wow, how come I can't find a below book value twin turbo built c5?!?
Of course your not going to get nearly the money out of it that you spent modding it, hence demoding before resale.
Sure mods will deter some, while attracting others.
Hell its your vette, build it how you want to enjoy it...
Wow, how come I can't find a below book value twin turbo built c5?!?
Of course your not going to get nearly the money out of it that you spent modding it, hence demoding before resale.
Sure mods will deter some, while attracting others.
Hell its your vette, build it how you want to enjoy it...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
A car or anything else is only worth what a seller is willing to sell it for and/or a buyer is willing to pay for it.
If you're planning to do it, accept it's for your gratification only. Others may not feel the same way about it.
Personally, I would not buy a car that's been heavily modded. You don't know the qualifications of who did the work, you can probably count on the fact it's been driven hard, and it takes the personal fun/enjoyment out of doing the modifications yourself.
If you're planning to do it, accept it's for your gratification only. Others may not feel the same way about it.
Personally, I would not buy a car that's been heavily modded. You don't know the qualifications of who did the work, you can probably count on the fact it's been driven hard, and it takes the personal fun/enjoyment out of doing the modifications yourself.
I AGREE! C5/C6 Corvettes are "NOT" an investment! Thieir worth (stock) value. If you have a well DOCUMENTED engine mod or major suspension improvement you may have some addiontional monitary windfall.... but You also have to find someone willing to pay the etra price for the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 835
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles CA
It probably depends on the mods and the place you are selling it. Good luck selling a twin turbo vette in california. I never understand people trying to sell cars that won't pass smog in Cali. They always claim they know a guy but what happens 2 years later? If the intake isn't smog legal than I can see going back to stock to for the inspection, but a twin turbo kit isn't something anyone is going to be willing to uninstall.
On the other hand if the mods are wheels, suspension, bolt ons, and interior/audio upgrades then I think finding a buyer is not that hard. It's not going to let you to make your money back on the mods but it might allow you to sell your car quicker at a slightly higher price.
On the other hand if the mods are wheels, suspension, bolt ons, and interior/audio upgrades then I think finding a buyer is not that hard. It's not going to let you to make your money back on the mods but it might allow you to sell your car quicker at a slightly higher price.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Seminole Texas
When I was looking for a corvette, I was looking for bone stock, but I could do certain mods. Biggest thing for me was wheels, I'd pass over a car with aftermarket wheels, I wouldn't even look at it.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Seminole Texas
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some will like it some wont. If the engine is forged by a good reputable shop then it it is not a detraction IMO.
But as said its a niche market.
But as said its a niche market.
