Resale: Stock V Modified

[GUZZLA]

Hey crew,

I'm looking at heading down the modification route with my VF2 SSV Ute. At this stage, I'm considering upgrading the roller rockers, CAI, exhaust in some capacity, and a engine & trans tune. And if I do, I pretty much void 6.5yrs of factory warranty - for whatever that might be worth. But I'm contemplating how far is too far when the inevitable happens and it's time to move it on.

I know there's quite a mix here with aftermarket ECU tunes, partial and full exhaust systems, cams and superchargers etc. But I'm keen to hear your thoughts about resale on the VF commodore, particularly the V8s and modifications to them. I'm not concerned about getting money back for performance enhancements done, I'm just curious if you think any sort of performance enhancing mods devalues the vehicle or, as a buyer, make you question the manor in which the vehicle was driven and thus it's long term relability.

Also, at what point along the modification process would you no longer consider purchasing a vehicle 2nd hand?

 

[monstar]

When performance modifications are integrated, complimentary according to a defined goal for enhancing an aspect of driving performance (versus looks or coz racecar) then you are selling something more valuable than a stocker. The notion that the ultimate second hand SS is a stocker, over one that has had proper mechanical attention, is a furphy.
Well sorted mechanically with clever, understandable tweaks and enhancements is a deal breaker for me, more likely to make the shortlist over supercheap price for year/model from owner who doesn’t know where the dipstick is.
I draw the line at DIY turbo or supercharged cars, changing cam spec and forged gear is fine. Short diff gears and 3” exhausts, 20”+ rims, riding on bump stops, coloured globes or nightshade tint.
Mine’s modified but there’s a story to it, doesn’t look that different to stock.

 

[Redline16]

I would only buy a stock vehicle second hand but I'm likely to be different to others

 

[Forg]

I would only buy a stock vehicle second hand but I'm likely to be different to others

You’re not different to me.
The main reason is I don’t trust the previous owner to get it done properly, but knowing for sure that it’s been ridden hard & put away wet isn’t a positive.

Things may’ve changed now, but back when I worked at Red Book in the mid-late 90’s we found that the majority of modded cars had lower value than a stocker; the main exception being “brand name” modified (eg. HSV). This was a double-hit for depreciation, lower sale value plus more was spent in the first place.

 

[gtrboyy]

If mods were done smartly with common sense it shouldn't affect value of car...

Downside is most modifieds are either done badly with owners cutting corners or in poor taste giving you impression it's been badly treated(usually true)

 

[monstar]

You’re not different to me.
The main reason is I don’t trust the previous owner to get it done properly, but knowing for sure that it’s been ridden hard & put away wet isn’t a positive.

Things may’ve changed now, but back when I worked at Red Book in the mid-late 90’s we found that the majority of modded cars had lower value than a stocker; the main exception being “brand name” modified (eg. HSV). This was a double-hit for depreciation, lower sale value plus more was spent in the first place.

I’m guessing that was before Gumtree, Carsales and eBay, where the majority of second hand cars are sold today. The good old days when you could trust a second hand car salesman and his Redbook and Glass Guide... more than a random like you or me flipping his car for cash on Gumtree.
Thank **** all that crooked institutionalised nonsense has gone the way of the Yellow Pages and monthly car price data in car mags.
There are no second hand car yards any more (by comparison), housewives and students flip cars weekly in diverse lucrative niches, specialists are everywhere like non-English speaking backgrounds who source and sell only one or two models of one make.
Yeah it’s either deregulated or gone to shiit, doesn’t matter really, point is there is more trustworthy information, dialogue, opinion instantly available that affects price and demand and turnover within every category now free, and free of the fear and control tactics used by the middle man and his Redbook or Glass Guide.
Trust and confidence in car buying comes from communication (with real humans) and knowledge (given freely on sites like this and socmed), both more accessible to the risk averse buyer today without fear of commitment. For checking veracity of seller claims, ownership and all sorts of history from big data mining there’s help for you to keep chaste.

 

[Noeleter]

Stock always worth more.

 

[EYY]

People don’t spend thousands on ‘go fast’ mods to drive them to church on Sunday. Most of the time they’ve been thrashed.

Stock will always be worth more to me. I like to make my own changes personally.

 

[greenacc]

A virgin is worth more than a flogged out ........ but if you can see a car has had a lot of $$ spent on quality mods and have created something special then I guess you have to decide what your willing to pay.
I heard plenty of examples of people spending 30 grand or more modding a car and only getting back the price of a used Camry.

 

[SnowDoggyDogg]

The non-modified vehicle will appeal to a wider audience of buyers. Whether that translates into a higher resale or quicker sale is tough to determine.
Enjoy your car mate - you get one shot at this thing called life and the joke is you never know when your times up.