I am new here so sorry in advance if this is an old subject

I bought my first Corvette late last year. I've always wanted one. Many I know that already own one have asked what my first Mod is. I've been restoring cars and making rods all my life but always wanted a new Vette. Now I have one and I don't understand the mod thing unless you want to race it? I have a brand new Vette why mod it? I also have a 57 Chev custom cab show truck that I built from the ground up.

Doesn't a major mod to a car like a Vette lesson the potential value of the car in the future? I get it with my truck, street rod or farm truck, I don't get it with the Vette. My sister in law (bo in law passed away a few years ago) has his 58 Vette which was a prostreet car he brought back as close as he could to original.... but it's not original. Are our Vettes going to be worth more in 40 years if left alone? I think so?

I am sure this has been beat to death but I am new here so please......

 

Welcome to the Forum and congrats on the new Vette.

I modded my C6 without any regard for future generations. I'll be long dead in 40 years.

Based on the number of C6's built, I hardly feel I am shortchanging some future owner who will be looking for a prime, virgin '06.

I am modding for the here and now and for my enjoyment only.

I too have always wanted a new Vette and since I have the ability, and thanks to this Forum, the wisdom, to select and install some performance and appearance personalizations (is that a word?), I am doing just that and extracting a great deal of pleasure from it.

You don't strike me as the kind of owner who is going to keep his car in a bubble and never drive it. But if you did, wouldn't it be worth even more in 40 years?

Everyone has to draw that line wherever they feel comfortable.

I don't feel I am demeaning the brand by slapping OEM body and performance parts on the car, or with aftermarket wheels/tires and exhaust. You may feel otherwise, and you won't be alone here.

If you can keep a brand new Vette pristine for the next 4 decades, and enjoy doing so, my hat's off to you.

Your rewards may be in the future, I want mine while I'm still here. Maybe I'm just selfish.

So how 'bout some pics of that show truck?

 

People make modifications to a car to make it better, at least better in their opinion. There is little argument that the Bose "premium" stereo really reeks. I changed the speakers and amp to make it sound better. It does. While a few disagree, it is also generally acknowledged that the factory Sachs shocks are pretty badly mismatched to the car's weight and spring rates. So I replaced them with Bilsteins. The car handles significantly better. While some may disagree, most people will say more power is better. So I added a 150 hp nitrous shot to my car. Its better.

Do these mods reduce the resale value of the car? Probably. But resale is tanking anyway, and I didn't buy the car to resell. I bought it to enjoy, and I am. I expect to continue to enjoy it until the scrap man comes to haul it off. I won't be around in 40 years to see if it ever becomes a collectible. If it avoids the crusher, let whoever owns it in 40 years worry about that.

 

If you like it stock, leave it that way, it's your car.

Many mod for better performance, most don't use all of the performance it already has. Some mod just because they can.

Most of my mods are cosmetic or just things that I thought might be neat to have. Occasionally I regret a mod, but not very often.

Leave yours as-is and enjoy it. Maybe some day you'll see something that you just must have, and you can mod because you WANT to, not because you're trying to be like someone else.



P.S. Check out the mods link in my sig if you're looking for ideas

 

That is one thing good about the Vette, you can change just about everything. Does it need to be changed? Not really IMO. I'm not really into performance mods but I would consider cosmetic mods. If you don't want to mod and preserve the value of the car then don't. Personally I bought this car to enjoy it now, not hope it gets a high resale value decades away from now. I wouldn't mod the car at all if you like to trade in cars every 1-2 years.

 

Performance Modifications = Upgrades
Cosmetic Modifications = Decorations



Up to you, it's your car.

 

Mod it!

 

Sometimes, with modifications to a stock car you increase the complexity. It all depends what you want.

 

Mod it and make it your own. Then again if you don't mid it it is still yours. Can't go wrong either way, it is still a C6.

 

No doubt to mod or not, is a personal choice, I would say do whatever gives you the most enjoyment. The main thing is to enjoy it.

 

Depends on how wild you want to go... I have heavily modded my C5Z06 w/ a cam and boltons, custom wheels, and a custom targa top conversion and repaint. I did all of the work other than laying the paint. It's been fun, but I'm ready for a new car. I figured I'd never want a new car, but now that I do I regret spending so much money on the C5 for "fun".

When I get a C6 it'll be wheels, exhaust, and that's it... I'd rather spend my time driving than modding.

Since you allready have some hyper-modded cars I'd leave the C6 alone for the most part and enjoy it for what it is... a nice refined sportscar.

If anything... mod away, but keep all your stock parts. If you ever want to return to stock you can and I've found that selling mods on here for 75-80% of original value is quite easy.

~B

 

I've never bought or modified a car with any thought of resale value. I buy a vehicle for utility and/or driving enjoyment...my driving enjoyment...not the next guy's. Loss of the factory warranty is a consideration with performance mods but it was worth it to me. Some of the premier Corvette tuner shops have great warranties on their products and installations.

As far as resale value goes, you'll never recoup what you put into the car but I've seen some professionally modified Corvettes sell for very respectable prices. Buyers realize Corvette owners take exceptional care of their cars and those interested in a modified car see value in buying a used Vette with quality modifications. It's a smaller market to be sure but there's a market none-the-less.

I think whether you mod for appearance or performance, if it brings you satisfaction and enjoyment its money well spent. Whether I'm blasting around a race track or driving to the supermarket the car brings a smile to my face. I enjoyed driving my stock C6 but I enjoy driving my modified C6 about a hundred times more!

 

I have an 07 coupe 1LT that I bought new. I am in the midst of of major interior mod. (Before, during and after pics will follow when I am finished. )

I don't race or track so I am VERY happy with the performance of my stock car. I have always been really unhappy with the quality of the interior and sound system of my stock car. I knew that going in however and have planned and saved for the mods.

I have installed a factory hud unit, which is the only upgrade from the base car I wanted from the factory. (pcmusicguy and Gmautotech were instrumental in that working.)

Corvette Pilot powder coated my calipers which was the only "unnecessary bling" I added. (Unnecessary is my opinion, but it sure is GREAT bling.)

I have just finished wiring the Kenwood DNX 8120 with satellite radio and new speaker system. This concludes my Nav and sound upgrades; which I think are better than anything availible from the factory. (could not have done it without Pentavolvo's advice and help from Candlemuse)

I am waiting on my DS Vettes interior door panels, full console, seats and full plastic to carbon look gadgets to finish the interior upgrades. (advice and help from johnodrake and exceler8)

Then, I think I am done for a very long while and have a car I intend
to keep. Did I spend a little more than getting everything from the factory. Yep, a little, but now, (or at least soon), I have a one of a kind car that I really really love.

By the way, I could not have done all of this without the help of a whole bunch of people on this forum none of whom i have ever met and all of whom were gracious, patient and never once hesitated to provide assistance.

So, why mod the car? No reason to really!

 

Our 09 is now pretty much how I like it and it has been in constant bling mods since Sep when we took delivery and do what you like either bling or performance or both

 

Agreed.

 

What do you want from the car? Are you going to track it, strip or road course? Will it be a boulevard weekend cruiser? The answer to these questions will tell you to mod or not. I don't think you can buy any car and worry about resale value, especially if you are like a lot of us here, and are not satisfied until you have customized it to make it your own. Cosmetic modifications will certainly hurt your ability to sell it as they are very personal and it is difficult to find a buyer with your exact taste. Performance modifications don't necessarily hurt your re-sale, but you must realize that they add little if anything to the value of the car. Just because you have $20K in the motor doesn't mean it will sell for much more than KBB. I meet many guys all the time who do performance mods just for bragging rights and to impress people with big dyno numbers. You have to honestly ask yourself what you want to do with the car to answer the mod or not to mod question.

 

Even though there is a lot of talk on this forum regarding performance mods, I think the vast majority of mods done to these cars are actually cosmetic - so, just because you mod doesn't mean you are turning it into a race car. I would say you are personalizing it.

 

In my opinion the Vette is just too complicated to do any performance mods and have reliable transportation. If it's your hobby go for it.
If you just enjoy driving the absolute best stock vehicle made in the US leave it stock.

Unfortunately my engine mods didn't work out. When I closed the hood the carbs poked a hole in the fiberglass, now I have to add a hood scoop, it just goes on and on with mods.
LJ

 

I guess I am looking at it from the perspective of a car restorer rather than an owner which might not be fair. Regardless I think I'll leave mine stock aside from the mild to wild switch I ordered. They are a very fun ride right out of the box.

Here is a pic of the truck and the car for those who asked. Note, I have polished rims on the car in this pic, it was taken the day I picked up the car. That same day I noticed the DS rear rim was curbed. The dealer swapped out these rims for chrome ones at no cost. I actually like the chrome ones better.

 

OK that's funny!, Nice duck!