I know that a Lingenfelter vette (for example) cost more up front, but, does it bring a higher price tag on the resale, as well? Their guarantee, logo certainly is attractive, however, the value may be strictly from a damage standpoint.

In other words, if you were going to do some major $$$ performance mods with what you already have (i.e. supercharging- maggie, procharger, etc. and all that would entail), and wanted them to be done correctly from one of the major vendors, would you be able to recapture any of the initial investment by going with one company over another?

 

I got more for my LPE C5 than it would have brought if it were a standard OEM car. I did NOT recoupe what I had in the car - not even close. I got about 40%.

 

I've been modding corvettes for years now, and I think I can say with conviction that DON'T plan on a dine of return of what you've invested in your car. You modded your car for yourself only. You and only you wanted it that way. My current 05 C6 Z51 6sp has a $14,000 Forged 427 in the engine bay and I don't plan on seeing a dime in return. I did it for my enjoyment. Cars are not an investment there a consumable item. especially a plastic american car. So I'm enjoying every mile I put on my car and this summer when I sell it I'll get probably no more than book. First I'll try to sell it on the forum and if it doesn't sell then I'll simply trade it in when I get my new Z06 and someone will one hell of a car off the lot. I hope he or she doesn't kill themselves once they go WOT the first time. Anyway that's how I see it with modded cars.

 

And you certainly have a very nice vette John.

I was just curious from an investment standpoint. At least be able to somewhat justify the outlay, while also having a tried and true "big name" to do the mod correctly, standing behind you.

 

Appreciate the response, as well, Andreas. And, I also would be trying for the Z next time around.

Was just curious if a big name like Lingenfelter brought more money.

 

I think I carries some weight. Actually my car was done by A&A corvette. Charlie Williams @ RPM motors built the short block and developed the CNC program for the L92 heads that were used. And Also did the Speed Density tune when the car was finsihed. These two guys are are two of the best at there trade. Yet I don't know if it makes the car worth any more money. I do know there is a very small market for cars that are modded, so having quality work done might be the deciding factor if you get a little back from your capital out lay. Actually I'm hoping my son sells his 2002 C5 and buys mine just to keep it in the family it's such a great ride.

 

Thanks I picked DTE for this mod round because I believe that DTE Powertrain will be one of the next big names - like a LPE. Phil and his group do outstanding work.

I do not trade often - I had the C5 for slightly more than 8 years. My previous Corvette - a built '73 - I had for over 10 years and I intend this Corvette to be in my possession until I am no longer fit to drive fast. For those reasons, expensive mods are not quite so 'costly' (if that makes any sense ).

The bottom line IMO is that you mod for your pleasure. That said, I still believe that a well done mod package by a reputable tuner - like an LPE, Callaway, DTE, 20th Century, etc, will bring more at sell time than an unmodded car but only patience will find the buyer that wants those mods and is willing to pay something for them. You won't get squat from a dealer.

 

Thanks again John, especially the part about "until I am no longer fit to drive fast".

If anyone would know, it's you John. I bought mine at 0% for 3 years (22 mos. left). So I bought as good as I could at the time and I keep it better than "showroom". All I've done is the Vararam and Borla, as far as performance mods go. But I'm finding that I still want more. Just want to be pinned back to the seat more.

Thanks to everyone for your responses, so far.

 

The money you are going to spend on modifications from one of the well known tuners.....put it with a few dollars more and your car and get the Z06.

Whats gonna happen, is that you spend big dollars on modding your current car, and when its done, you still want the Z.

Only now the chunk of change you spent at the big tuner's place is unrecoverable and indeed may even make the car less desirable to some.

Best advice you are going to get in this thread, any money you are planning on earmarking to give to one of these big name tuners, squirrel it away, put so more with it, and get the Z06.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ighlight=money

We have plenty of guys over in the Z06 section coming from modded C6s. Be they wide bootys, complete wide bodys, spending all of that money and effort getting paint blended, matched, etc. forced induction, H/C cars, bolt ons cars, and more often than not, it comes to the same thing. A lot of money spent on modifications to their previous cars, money most of which they will never see again, regardless to who does the modifications, that would have been better spent towards what many of them knew they wanted anyway.

So if you think that you might want the Z, which from your post #5, it seems that you might, well then go that route. It is a lot easier than you might think. Don't waste time or money trying to turn your current car into something else.

 

Damn, I love your car and I truly respect the Z06 and the ZR1. But, for some of us, the Z isn't the answer for one simple reason - the top don't come off!

That is the singular reason that I am not driving a Z06 today and why, when I am done, I will have more money invested in my Vert than you do in your Z. At the end of the day you are thrilled with your Z and I can drop my top

 

Well thank you so much. And you have a truly awesome vehicle as well John.

You know, the issue of dropping the top or removing the roof panel is a major sticking point for some. I can certainly respect that.

For me however, with my 2005 Z51, I rarely if ever removed the roof panel. So the decision for me was a lot easier.

If open air driving is a must have for the original poster, well then I certainly think that he should follow that priority and make his decisions accordingly.

My wife used to rib me that whenever I put headers on one of my Vettes, that it would not be much longer before I got rid of it.

My 2003 coupe, I modified with headers, torque converter, gears, Vararam, 160 stat, drag radials, line lock, and most every other bolt on. I wanted it to run like, or quicker than a stock C5 Z06, and I succeeded. But I really wanted a C5 Z06.

That C5 coupe was headed to ECS for a heads and cam package. I was about to dump more money into it and take away a little more of it's drivability, before I decided to get rid of it for my 2005 Z51 Coupe. A car which promised much of the performance of the C5 Z06 out of the box. However, history likely tells a different story.

But, I digress. ..... BTW, what do you think I could get right now if I still had that C5 and had gone ahead with that 6K heads and cam package and the rest of the mods I had on it?


I bought the 2005 C6 MZ6 Z51 and started in again with the mods just before the '08s came out. Honker first, headers and a tune in February of '07, and Corsa Sports shortly after that. With my wife ribbing me that it would soon be gone for what I wanted anyway, the Z06. But the Zs were still going for above sticker. And there had been a price increase.

I was thinking about supercharging the MZ6 C6 Z51. Callaway or Lingenfelter. But after a tuning nightmare with the C6, I decided that I would not put another dime into that car. It would just not be money well spent, and that I would look to getting a Z06. Even though the brand new ones were commanding sticker and above at that time I called my salesman, Hal, at my local dealership. There would be a car show there and he had an '06 that someone had traded in. I wanted to start my research and test drive one, with a plan of buying in the fall or winter of '08 when sales were slow and prices would drop. I had decided on an '06 or an '07.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=test+drove

That was in May, just a couple months after the headers.

In July, while at the video section of my local supermarket, I got a call from Hal.

"Doc, we got in a Z06, and I know that you were looking for one. Now the thing about this one is that it is one which we originally sold and it has less than 100 miles on it. The good thing is that we can offer it at $6x,xxx.00.

Now you are the first person I have called and it won't last at that price. I have another guy to call as well and one guy here at the dealership is looking at it if you two pass. Are you interested?"

He had caught me off guard. I hadn't planned on buying a Z06 at this point, let alone a silver one. My plan was to wait a few months to several months, before buying. But I told him yes. I'd come out tomorrow to take a look at it. I'd be working out that way tomorrow anyway, so I'll stop by after work.

Next morning, I drove my C6 to work. I carried a check with me just in case. I worked all day that day and went back and forth as to whether or not to call Hal and tell him that I wasn't coming. But I finished my patients and decided to head over to the dealership.

I got there and Hal was waiting for me. It was on the showroom floor amongst the brand new '07s and '08s. Zs, Coupes, and Verts. "I'll get the key FOB and we'll take it out", he shouted.

He got it off the showroom floor and I took over from there.

When we got back, I told him to write it up. I had seen enough.

They went out and looked at my car, told me it needed tires, which I already knew, made me a very reasonable offer on it, and I wrote the check.

While Hal was writing everything up, I gave the Z06 a final looking over. It was downright perfect. And just then, the second guy who was to look at it, called to say that he was on his way. Hal told him that it was already sold. And the employee at the dealership, himself a C6 owner, and interested in the car, laughingly told me, "I'm mad at you I was gonna buy it had you two guys passed on it."

I got home and posted up this thread. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=test+drove

I have not looked back since. Nary a regret. Nary anything resembling regret. Best money I have ever spent on a Corvette. And I have had a few. Which brings me to the moral of the story.

The moral of my story is this: Had I dumped more money into mods for my C6, I would not have been ready when Hal called me to say that the car had come in. But as it turned out, my money was ready, and I didn't take a beating on my trade in. All because I elected not to mod that C6 any further than what I had already done.

Now my 2005 MZ6 Z51, could have been sitting at Lingenfelter or some other big name tuner's place, getting modded out with a wide booty or a wide body and perhaps a bunch of other performance mods, when Hal called me to say, "Doc, we got in a Z06 and I know that you have been looking for one."

I'd have been in for writing out a 5 figure check to that tuner, for those mods, at or around the time of Hal's call. And I'd have been kicking myself given the price that they were asking for the Z06. If I had wanted to jump on Hal's deal, I'd have had to eat the money I'd spent on the mods, plus come up with Hal's price. In short, I'd have lost out.

My point to the original poster is, looking at your post #5 in this thread, and a few of your other posts, it seems that you have an interest in the Z06. Were it me, I would not spend big dollars, 10-15K or thereabouts, having a big name tuner mod my current C6.

 

And the cliff notes answer is if top off/down is not an issue - the Z06 is WITHOUT qustion, the best performance deal on the planet (and you can mod that too ).

 

Great story, thanks for sharing. I sure hope it turns out that way for me as well. I faced the same decision this spring with my much-loved C5 that was about to start a major mod program. I decided to just bite the bullet and get my 427 Corvette by going right for the Z06. Part of that decision was based on testimonials like yours. Now I can't wait for May 22nd, the first day '09 orders can be placed!

 

Thanks for the good advice and I really appreciate it.

You and I go way back (even talking on the phone), when I was even thinking about 6 speed or auto. And even on "the emblem". Always, had good advice. I'd like to say that money's burning a hole in my pocket, but, it's more like no money is burning a hole. I am, however, trying to formulate a plan and to certainly be happy with it.

Guy's like John and others, who have heavily modded their vettes, to the point of certainly surpassing Z06's, my hat is off to them. They have some fantastic, good looking, high performance cars, and they really know what they're doing.

I certainly don't want to get stuck doing major "trial and error" performance mods, and then brakes, wb, etc., etc. while all the while closing the gap between my C6 and a Z considerably. Although, I think verts are fine, I've always been a coupe guy. And even though I really like my targa top, I haven't even popped it yet. I will soon though. A Z06 is, out the box, by far the easiest choice, I guess. Albeit alot of $$$ diference. It's just a timing thing, such as in your case.

Just afraid that the longer I wait, my current '07 will really go down in value and would have take a major hit. If that were the case, I probably couldn't/wouldn't do it.

Again, I'm certainly not crying, because my vette is fantastic as it is, and I consider myself very fortunate to have it. Just trying to formulate a game plan an dstrong enough to stick to it.

 

Well, best of luck to the both of you.

 

I have never considered resale value when buying or modifying a car. I buy a car for its utility and/or driving enjoyment and I modify a car for my enjoyment...not the next guy. I don't worry about selling a car before I buy (or modify) it.

I think people looking to buy a used Corvette realize Corvette owner's most often take excellent care of their cars. More buyers may want a stock Corvette but those considering a modified, used Corvette realize the value in purchasing a professionally modified Vette. IMO name's like Lingenfelter, 21st Century/LPE, Callaway, Katech, etc. do count for something...these are the premier names for quality Corvette performance modifications with long established and well deserved reputations. Brand names represent quality and add value. This is especially true with Corvette modifications. When you see a Rolex watch you know it’s a quality timepiece...when you see a Lingenfelter or Callaway modified Corvette you know it’s the best.

I have seen a couple instances where professionally modified C5's commanded a considerably higher price than a comparable stock C5. That said...while the name does have and add value, you will not fully recoup the cost of the modifications. It’s the nature of the beast...a car (even a professionally modified one) is still a depreciating asset.

The real value in having a car modified by LPE or Katech, etc. is not monetary...the real value is realized by you every time you drive the car.


Well partly...the Z06 is undeniably an awesome car and sets the high bar for stock Corvette performance (the ZR1 notwithstanding) but the Z06 may not be answer for everyone.

The C6 Z06 was not available when I bought my C6. When the Z06 came out I seriously considered trading-in my C6 but I decided against it for a number of reasons (and the money wasn't a major consideration). I'm not one to trade-in a new car every year or two...I keep my cars a fair number of years. My C6 was mag red and has a removable top...two features unavailable with the Z06. The Z06 looks great but I like the lines of the C6 as much or more. In short, I loved my C6.

Certainly, right out of the box the Z06 has the performance edge but I enjoy modding my C6. I realize no amount of modding will make my car a Z06 but I'm not trying to turn it into a Z06 (I don't even like the idea of adding Z06 body panels to a C6).

With modding all bets are off but I've seen modified C6's that will smoke a stock Z06. Obviously, you can modify a Z06 as well. The way I look at it, even if I had bought a Z06 I would be modifying that as well.

Again, no argument the Z06 is an awesome car and maybe some would be better off going that route (instead of modding a C6). I have no regrets I opted to keep my C6 and mod it. Who knows..maybe one day I'll buy a Z06 and retire my C6 to track use but right now I'm having a blast modding my C6 (with two mods remaining to do over the summer).

I've driven a Z06 and it's a tremendous car. I can assure you though, when I get into my modified C6 and fire-up my built LPE engine or wheel onto the race track, I have absolutely no regrets I didn't buy a Z06. I'm quite satisfied with my modified C6.

 

I appreciate your input, as well, Wayne. Good to hear from a few of the "high end" modded vette guys. Great arguments on both sides.

Well, looks like their is no wrong side here. The value is more for owner satisfaction, I agree. But, I do feel that a pristene Lingenfelter, Callaway, etc. badged vette (new or used) still brings a higher dollar price than others. Just up to the Corvette lover to buy it.

 

I have never considered resale value when buying or modifying a car. I buy a car for its utility and/or driving enjoyment and I modify a car for my enjoyment...not the next guy. I don't worry about selling a car before I buy (or modify) it.

I think people looking to buy a used Corvette realize Corvette owner's most often take excellent care of their cars. More buyers may want a stock Corvette but those considering a modified, used Corvette realize the value in purchasing a professionally modified Vette. IMO name's like Lingenfelter, 21st Century/LPE, Callaway, Katech, etc. do count for something...these are the premier names for quality Corvette performance modifications with long established and well deserved reputations. Brand names represent quality and add value. This is especially true with Corvette modifications. When you see a Rolex watch you know it’s a quality timepiece...when you see a Lingenfelter or Callaway modified Corvette you know it’s the best.

I have seen a couple instances where professionally modified C5's commanded a considerably higher price than a comparable stock C5. That said...while the name does have and add value, you will not fully recoup the cost of the modifications. It’s the nature of the beast...a car (even a professionally modified one) is still a depreciating asset.

The real value in having a car modified by LPE or Katech, etc. is not monetary...the real value is realized by you every time you drive the car.


Well partly...the Z06 is undeniably an awesome car and sets the high bar for stock Corvette performance (the ZR1 notwithstanding) but the Z06 may not be answer for everyone.

The C6 Z06 was not available when I bought my C6. When the Z06 came out I seriously considered trading-in my C6 but I decided against it for a number of reasons (and the money wasn't a major consideration). I'm not one to trade-in a new car every year or two...I keep my cars a fair number of years. My C6 was mag red and has a removable top...two features unavailable with the Z06. The Z06 looks great but I like the lines of the C6 as much or more. In short, I loved my C6.

Certainly, right out of the box the Z06 has the performance edge but I enjoy modding my C6. I realize no amount of modding will make my car a Z06 but I'm not trying to turn it into a Z06 (I don't even like the idea of adding Z06 body panels to a C6).

With modding all bets are off but I've seen modified C6's that will smoke a stock Z06. Obviously, you can modify a Z06 as well. The way I look at it, even if I had bought a Z06 I would be modifying that too.

Again, no argument the Z06 is an awesome car and maybe some would be better off going that route (instead of modding a C6). I have no regrets I opted to keep my C6 and mod it. Who knows..maybe one day I'll buy a Z06 and retire my C6 to track use but right now I'm having a blast modding my C6 (with two mods remaining to do over the summer).

I've driven a Z06 and it's a tremendous car. I can assure you though, when I get into my modified C6 and fire-up my built LPE engine or wheel onto the race track, I have absolutely no regrets I didn't buy a Z06. I'm quite satisfied with my modified C6.

 

Indeed there are Wayne. But a few things come to mind. With 505 HP and a 5yr/100,000 mile warranty, for many.....there is going to be considerably less incentive to mod.

You come into the Z06 section, and you will find a considerably higher percentage of stock or near stock cars over there than you will here. And when you do see mods, they are usually very minor. CAIs, tunes. You will find a handful of cammed cars. You hear a lot less talk about headers and such. And way less gibberish about dyno numbers and such.

Seems that I see a considerably higher percentage of modded cars here, and I sometimes ask myself, what is it that some of these guys are trying to turn these new cars into? Guys taking brand new '08s and sticking cams into them, gears, the works and sacrificing drivability, dependability and warranty coverage right off the bat.

Brand new car so far out of warranty, no dealer will even look at it. Drivability and dependability compromised to the point to where you wouldn't even dream of taking a serious road trip with your wife in it.

And the only sombody who will touch it, if it has a problem, is the big name tuner who originally did the work on it. But of course there is the issue, and expense, of getting the car back to him should you need to.

Now I modded too. And I have nothing against modding. But no way I'd trade in an LS2 based C6, buy an '08 and then take take that brand new '08 and do a heads and cam package. Go through a couple of different gear sets and a torque converter on it. What am I trying to turn it into??? Why shove money up the bird's *** like that???? What am I trying to do???? I'm going to drop that kind of dough, kill the value of my new car, kill the drivability and dependability of my new car just because I want an automatic transmission and a drop top???

For many, with the Z06 there is just simply no need to dump money into mods, because the car just like it is and right from the factory, and with a good driver is capable of getting you booted from many sanctioned quarter mile tracks, if the quarter mile is your thing.

If the road course is your thing, again it's capabilities are going to be a damn sight greater than the average owner's driving capabilities. Its a car the owner can "grow into" with little fear of "growing out of" just like it is from the factory.

Now for those who wish to modify, for those with mod fever, the LS7 is certainly a good platform from which to start, (not that the LS2 or LS3 isn't, because they both obviously are) if you just have to mod. 427 cubic inches, and Katech, Lingenfelter and the rest have done great things with the car.

But at the end of the day......all of this comes down to what you want. And thats all it comes down to.

None of this makes any practical sense, lets not fool ourselves. Who really needs the power that the LS2, LS3, LS7 or LS9 makes?

This all comes down to what you want.

And it is on that note that I say what I am about to say.

If what you want, is to modify your current C6, to turn it into whatever it is you are trying to turn it into, then by all means, go that route.

However, you have to be honest with yourself. If you soul search, and determine that you really want the Z06, well then, and I mean this with all sincerity, don't waste your money or your time throwing mods at an existing car, I don't care who you are enlisting to do the mods.

But I think you have to be honest with yourself, and my observation is that a lot of these folk who spend tons of money on mods, be they at the big name tuners or not, are not entirely honest with themselves and spend money on mods, sometimes big money on mods, when they know deep down, they want the Z06 anyway.

I know because I did it.

And what I am saying, is that if you sit yourself down, and ask yourself, "What is it that I really want?" Whatever the answer is to that question, it might be a Z06, it might be a ZR1, it might be a modded C6, it might be a Porsche, Ferrari, etc..... What is it that I really want? ..... Do I need to start looking for a 25-30K mile Z06, or do I want to send my car to this big name tuner and save a a few bucks?

Whatever the answer is, and that answer will vary for everybody, there is no right or wrong answer, I am a firm believer that is the route that one should pursue. Whatever the answer, then I believe, based on my own personal experience, that every effort should be made to achieve that end.

And I say that because any effort, any money spent going in another direction, at the end of the day, is money wasted. I don't care if Lingenfelter, Callaway, whomever does the modifications. If that was not what one really wanted in the first place, then what was the point?

To the original poster's inquiry;

"Recapturing" mod money, regardless to who did the mods, is probably not going to happen. I'd make my decisions accordingly.