Trade-In Value
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 296
Likes: 23
From: Mooresville NC
Trade-In Value
How do mods such as headers, highflow CAT's and a CAI impact the value of the car at trade-in? I realize that the money spent for the mods will not be recovered, but will the trade-in value be less than if all stock?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,903
Likes: 0
From: NC
It depends on the dealer, some dealers don't want cars like that because not everyone is looking for that so they'll try to act like that takes away from the "value" of the car. Others might want a tricked out car to showcase that they can mark up a bit if they know they get some buyers with $$.
You could always swap the stuff back to stock and sell the parts separately when you trade the car and you'll probably get more $$ out of them, but of course you'd have to deal with changing them out.
You could always swap the stuff back to stock and sell the parts separately when you trade the car and you'll probably get more $$ out of them, but of course you'd have to deal with changing them out.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26,202
Likes: 29
From: northern california
If any of your mods make the car not smog legal, chances are the dealer just sees it as a car he will take to the auction.
Keep in mind, dealers will use every excuse they can think of to devalue your trade.
This color doesn't sell.
Nobody wants the stick transmissions.
Nobody wants the automatics.
Everybody knows these aren't the best tires for this car.
etc...
Keep in mind, dealers will use every excuse they can think of to devalue your trade.
This color doesn't sell.
Nobody wants the stick transmissions.
Nobody wants the automatics.
Everybody knows these aren't the best tires for this car.
etc...
Last edited by GotCorvette?; Jun 16, 2009 at 02:08 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
If any of your mods make the car not smog legal, chances are the dealer just sees it as a car he will take to the auction.
Keep in mind, dealers will use every excuse they can think of to devalue your trade.
This color doesn't sell.
Nobody wants the stick transmissions.
Nobody wants the automatics.
Everybody knows these aren't the best tires for this car.
etc...
Keep in mind, dealers will use every excuse they can think of to devalue your trade.
This color doesn't sell.
Nobody wants the stick transmissions.
Nobody wants the automatics.
Everybody knows these aren't the best tires for this car.
etc...
and unfortunately, by definition, headers and cats are not EPA smog legal on our cars.
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Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Florida
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Ahhh, the pitfalls of tuning and modding the power-train on a car that you want/need to sell. I know it sucks, but you actually devalue your car with the type of mods you have done. I know, it does not make a lot of sense... you added HP and all kinds of expensive parts to the car so it would seem that it would add value. However, just like everyone is saying here it really hurts you when it's time to sell.
Try to sell the car to a private party and/or remove the mods and sell them separately. It's your best chance of getting back some of the money you put into the car.
Try to sell the car to a private party and/or remove the mods and sell them separately. It's your best chance of getting back some of the money you put into the car.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
Likes: 167
From: Frederick, MD
Isn't it illegal to replace the cats if it is not for a replacement? That would kill the resale value. I would just put everything back to stock and then expect about 20-30% below the trade-in value that edmonds gives you. If you can't live with that much of a loss, don't bother to remove the mods.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 9
From: Upstate New York
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 0
From: DFW TX
Unfortunately, from the perspective of a dealership trade-in appraiser, mods in genereal, at best, do not add any value to the car, and quite often actually depreciate your car. That includes drivetrain mods, custom graphics or paint and even some aftermarket wheels. I know carmax deducts the cost of replacing aftermarket parts with OEM, for example a cold air intake, they deduct the cost of an OEM airbox from the offer they give you, because they want a stock car. Like everyone else here has said,,, go back to stock when trading in. Sell your mods.
