Customize your Corvette
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 722
Likes: 274
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Customize your Corvette
I was brought up in the car business and worked the auto auctions for over 30 years.
When a car came through the auction lane with custom items added, the first things professional dealers would figure was the cost to restore to stock, and then lower their bid to cover the restoration.
A few examples were radio changes, custom interior work, non stock paint or stripes, wrong tires, non stock wheels, engine mods, and most items not stock.
The problem is as a dealer if you leave it with the customizations you greatly limit your market for the car.
Remember the old saying "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder".
Just because you love something someone else might dislike it.
I do not want to say do not modify your car, just remember at the time you go to sell or trade it, you have to find someone that will appreciate the mods you made and pay for them.
If you love the way your changes make the car look, by all means do it. You only live once and enjoy your life and the way you like things.
Just remember a stock car is much easier to sell and get your greatest return on investment.
Now if I can just find a supplier for whitewall tires for my new C7!
When a car came through the auction lane with custom items added, the first things professional dealers would figure was the cost to restore to stock, and then lower their bid to cover the restoration.
A few examples were radio changes, custom interior work, non stock paint or stripes, wrong tires, non stock wheels, engine mods, and most items not stock.
The problem is as a dealer if you leave it with the customizations you greatly limit your market for the car.
Remember the old saying "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder".
Just because you love something someone else might dislike it.
I do not want to say do not modify your car, just remember at the time you go to sell or trade it, you have to find someone that will appreciate the mods you made and pay for them.
If you love the way your changes make the car look, by all means do it. You only live once and enjoy your life and the way you like things.
Just remember a stock car is much easier to sell and get your greatest return on investment.
Now if I can just find a supplier for whitewall tires for my new C7!
Last edited by EasyElliott; Aug 26, 2014 at 12:54 PM. Reason: typo
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 21
From: Durham NC
Even if you sell it for the same price you would've stock, you've lost money on mods. Best thing to do is to keep all the original parts and return it to stock, and sell your aftermarket parts separately.
I'm not planning on selling, though. This was my first new car (second Corvette) and plan on keeping it for ages.
I'm not planning on selling, though. This was my first new car (second Corvette) and plan on keeping it for ages.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 722
Likes: 274
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Even if you sell it for the same price you would've stock, you've lost money on mods. Best thing to do is to keep all the original parts and return it to stock, and sell your aftermarket parts separately.
I'm not planning on selling, though. This was my first new car (second Corvette) and plan on keeping it for ages.
I'm not planning on selling, though. This was my first new car (second Corvette) and plan on keeping it for ages.
But you are right, best to remove items before you sell or have someone fall in love with your mods.
Most of all enjoy your CORVETTE
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,469
Likes: 20
From: Rockville Centre NY
Having said that, my 63 is stock and my 14 is modified. Nobody from the NCRS is judging my 14 anytime soon, so I'll have my fun with it while I can.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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All the mods on my C5 so far have been appearance ones and when I get ready to sell or trade, I plan to put the stock pieces back on the car and sell the mods separately.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,822
Likes: 64
From: Area Z51
I was brought up in the car business and worked the auto auctions for over 30 years.
When a car came through the auction lane with custom items added, the first things professional dealers would figure was the cost to restore to stock, and then lower their bid to cover the restoration.
A few examples were radio changes, custom interior work, non stock paint or stripes, wrong tires, non stock wheels, engine mods, and most items not stock.
The problem is as a dealer if you leave it with the customizations you greatly limit your market for the car.
Remember the old saying "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder".
Just because you love something someone else might dislike it.
I do not want to say do not modify your car, just remember at the time you go to sell or trade it, you have to find someone that will appreciate the mods you made and pay for them.
If you love the way your changes make the car look, by all means do it. You only live once and enjoy your life and the way you like things.
Just remember a stock car is much easier to sell and get your greatest return on investment.
Now if I can just find a supplier for whitewall tires for my new C7!
When a car came through the auction lane with custom items added, the first things professional dealers would figure was the cost to restore to stock, and then lower their bid to cover the restoration.
A few examples were radio changes, custom interior work, non stock paint or stripes, wrong tires, non stock wheels, engine mods, and most items not stock.
The problem is as a dealer if you leave it with the customizations you greatly limit your market for the car.
Remember the old saying "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder".
Just because you love something someone else might dislike it.
I do not want to say do not modify your car, just remember at the time you go to sell or trade it, you have to find someone that will appreciate the mods you made and pay for them.
If you love the way your changes make the car look, by all means do it. You only live once and enjoy your life and the way you like things.
Just remember a stock car is much easier to sell and get your greatest return on investment.
Now if I can just find a supplier for whitewall tires for my new C7!
Better off to sell it yourself private sale.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
I was brought up in the car business and worked the auto auctions for over 30 years.
When a car came through the auction lane with custom items added, the first things professional dealers would figure was the cost to restore to stock, and then lower their bid to cover the restoration.
A few examples were radio changes, custom interior work, non stock paint or stripes, wrong tires, non stock wheels, engine mods, and most items not stock.
The problem is as a dealer if you leave it with the customizations you greatly limit your market for the car.
Remember the old saying "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder".
Just because you love something someone else might dislike it.
I do not want to say do not modify your car, just remember at the time you go to sell or trade it, you have to find someone that will appreciate the mods you made and pay for them.
If you love the way your changes make the car look, by all means do it. You only live once and enjoy your life and the way you like things.
Just remember a stock car is much easier to sell and get your greatest return on investment.
Now if I can just find a supplier for whitewall tires for my new C7!
When a car came through the auction lane with custom items added, the first things professional dealers would figure was the cost to restore to stock, and then lower their bid to cover the restoration.
A few examples were radio changes, custom interior work, non stock paint or stripes, wrong tires, non stock wheels, engine mods, and most items not stock.
The problem is as a dealer if you leave it with the customizations you greatly limit your market for the car.
Remember the old saying "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder".
Just because you love something someone else might dislike it.
I do not want to say do not modify your car, just remember at the time you go to sell or trade it, you have to find someone that will appreciate the mods you made and pay for them.
If you love the way your changes make the car look, by all means do it. You only live once and enjoy your life and the way you like things.
Just remember a stock car is much easier to sell and get your greatest return on investment.
Now if I can just find a supplier for whitewall tires for my new C7!
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,937
Likes: 336
The problem with selling vehicles with MODs is when you try and get your money back for them.
I have always sold my cars and bikes faster when they have aftermarket items installed.I don't MOD the engines but add items for appearance. I list the MODs and their cost and price the vehicle as if it were stock and sell it in a hurry. People who know cars and bikes want a value. getting all the extra MODs for nothing is a good deal.
Newer cars sell better with tastefully done MODs. Classics sell better all original.
I have always sold my cars and bikes faster when they have aftermarket items installed.I don't MOD the engines but add items for appearance. I list the MODs and their cost and price the vehicle as if it were stock and sell it in a hurry. People who know cars and bikes want a value. getting all the extra MODs for nothing is a good deal.
Newer cars sell better with tastefully done MODs. Classics sell better all original.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 722
Likes: 274
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Dealers fight tooth and nail for cars that they feel will make a profit. There are no private buyers allowed.
I have seen extra clean low mileage cars actually bring full retail prices.
A private sale limits you to how much you pay to advertise. It also exposes you to a number of crimes and stolen cars.
As a former dealer I would rather negotiate the best deal I can on a trade and take advantage of the sales tax credit, which in most cases on an expensive car breaks you even.
I guess you never got a bad bank check or a bounced check. Oh I guess you get it all in cash and fill out the IRS forms at the bank.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,937
Likes: 336
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 407
Likes: 90
From: Round Rock Texas
At some point, we're buying the cars because we enjoy them. If saving the most money was the most important thing, we'd be in different cars. It's a depreciating asset and not in investment after all.
I'm going to modify the car to my taste and be aware that it potentially impacts my resale value. It's worth it to me to enjoy the car for the years that I have it.
I'm going to modify the car to my taste and be aware that it potentially impacts my resale value. It's worth it to me to enjoy the car for the years that I have it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 722
Likes: 274
From: Colorado Springs, CO
At some point, we're buying the cars because we enjoy them. If saving the most money was the most important thing, we'd be in different cars. It's a depreciating asset and not in investment after all.
I'm going to modify the car to my taste and be aware that it potentially impacts my resale value. It's worth it to me to enjoy the car for the years that I have it.
I'm going to modify the car to my taste and be aware that it potentially impacts my resale value. It's worth it to me to enjoy the car for the years that I have it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 861
Likes: 141
From: Desoto Texas
Some mods become factory options like the following not offered in 2014 but now a option for the 2015 model.
Splash guards,Side skirts,Paint protection,Black fish,Black front grill,splitters.
So all mods do not detract.
Just my two cents.R
Splash guards,Side skirts,Paint protection,Black fish,Black front grill,splitters.
So all mods do not detract.
Just my two cents.R
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 14,697
Likes: 203
From: Los Angeles CA
I was brought up in the car business and worked the auto auctions for over 30 years.
When a car came through the auction lane with custom items added, the first things professional dealers would figure was the cost to restore to stock, and then lower their bid to cover the restoration.
A few examples were radio changes, custom interior work, non stock paint or stripes, wrong tires, non stock wheels, engine mods, and most items not stock.
The problem is as a dealer if you leave it with the customizations you greatly limit your market for the car.
Remember the old saying "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder".
Just because you love something someone else might dislike it.
I do not want to say do not modify your car, just remember at the time you go to sell or trade it, you have to find someone that will appreciate the mods you made and pay for them.
If you love the way your changes make the car look, by all means do it. You only live once and enjoy your life and the way you like things.
Just remember a stock car is much easier to sell and get your greatest return on investment.
Now if I can just find a supplier for whitewall tires for my new C7!
When a car came through the auction lane with custom items added, the first things professional dealers would figure was the cost to restore to stock, and then lower their bid to cover the restoration.
A few examples were radio changes, custom interior work, non stock paint or stripes, wrong tires, non stock wheels, engine mods, and most items not stock.
The problem is as a dealer if you leave it with the customizations you greatly limit your market for the car.
Remember the old saying "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder".
Just because you love something someone else might dislike it.
I do not want to say do not modify your car, just remember at the time you go to sell or trade it, you have to find someone that will appreciate the mods you made and pay for them.
If you love the way your changes make the car look, by all means do it. You only live once and enjoy your life and the way you like things.
Just remember a stock car is much easier to sell and get your greatest return on investment.
Now if I can just find a supplier for whitewall tires for my new C7!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,759
Likes: 4
From: Texas
I don't expect my run of the mill Z51 to be worth anymore than I bought it for ever. That being said I've seen many people go a bit over the edge with chrome on some vettes and it's pretty horrid. No one likes to see a nice car that looks like its been molested by a color blind person or too much flashiness. You will always hurt your resale if its something that can't be undone.