Modded resale value

[BoSNiaN]

Hey guys, not sure if this is something that's already been covered in the past or not but I've been noticing guys on here selling their modded A4's and taking a big hit from the looks of it...They are not only losing value on the car itself, but are also losing the money they put into the mods.

Example:

stage 2 B7 2L with respective stage 2 mods and ~60,000 miles going for $16,500.

vs

stock B7 2L with the same mileage is going for $16,000.


I can see both sides to this though. On one, the stock car is unmolested and you get to choose exactly what you'd like to do with it, but on the other, car #1 has at least 2-3K in mods and was probably owned by an enthusiast who took good care of it. This is part of the reason I want to avoid major mechanical upgrades (along with other considerations), but has anyone else noticed this or can provide an alternative explanation? [:|]

[TMurt]

I haven't had any first hand experience with this, but one way to see it, is that most people won't care about the modifications or see it as a reason to pay more. And if the person is another enthusiast then they might want to do their own thing instead. Although it might be taken care of, it could also have been driven much harder than a stock car as well.

A reasonably modded car will maybe help you sell the car more easily but I would'nt expect to get any mod money back. It's like any other renovation someone might do to their house. For example, say you spend 50k re-doing a kitchen, you are'nt going to be able to sell the house for 50k more just because of that. But it could make someone choose that one over another one they are looking at. If you see what I'm saying.

Also found this, things that help/hurt resale value
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/money-guides/add-ons-can-help-or-hurt-car-s-value-1.aspx

[bnish]

modifications will almost never increase the resale value of a car. obviously there are exceptions. but in general, when you change things in the car, it no longer operates under the factory specifications which means that the factory tests and research become irrelevant. ultimately this leads to void of warrantee etc. performance modifications are always a give and take. most people on this website will argue that there are only benefits to modifications, but the majority of car consumers will disagree.

[freaksavior]

modifications will almost never increase the resale value of a car. obviously there are exceptions. but in general, when you change things in the car, it no longer operates under the factory specifications which means that the factory tests and research become irrelevant. ultimately this leads to void of warrantee etc. performance modifications are always a give and take. most people on this website will argue that there are only benefits to modifications, but the majority of car consumers will disagree.

ditto.

As much time and money we invest into our cars, we don't get much if any at all back.

The mod I'm doing now (wrapping my interior in microsuede(check the Titanium Interior thread) ) will look nice, but it won't add anything to the value. It may however help me sell it at a later time if I can finish my conversion to black interior.

[mr shickadance]

thats why its called modding and not called investing...... and you estimate is very off, a modded stage 2 b7 will likely go for something around 14-15 where an unmolested b7 would go for about 16-17

[schizzy]

Modifying means the car was more like a toy to the person and not just a car. Power mods means the person could have beaten on the car

I would personally rather never buy a modded car and would pay more for 100% stock so I also know the mod work was done right

[Mc Suly]

thats why its called modding and not called investing...... and you estimate is very off, a modded stage 2 b7 will likely go for something around 14-15 where an unmolested b7 would go for about 16-17

Canadian VS USA prices are pretty different for cars in general

[mr shickadance]

my point was that his price for a stage 2 car was a lot loftier then he thought, you will likely see an umolested b7 for more money than a modded one was what i was driving at

[vbrad26]

every car i have owned went back to stock before selling/trading in
if that says anything lol

i even had dealers refuse to give me estimates on the audi because it was modified...their loss

[RAudiB7A4]

This is exactly why I've kept all of my stock parts. Just in case I ever need to convert back to stock. The only stock part I don't have is the non s-line front bumper and grill. Because of this very reason I know I need to complete my DTM conversion before any resale. The dealer, or anyone for that matter, will want a full conversion or completely stock. No in between. Luckily, DTM is OEM, so it should help the value, or at least not hurt it.

[Operator]

I'm a return to stock guy. If you read my mod list, I have a majority of the stock counterparts...

[funky_snowman]

Honestly, I won't even look at a car if it looks modded. People do too many stupid things for me to trust someone I've never met. Even wheels would be a serious red mark if they aren't OEM. The lesson is keep your stock parts, unless you are 100% sure that the car is going from your garage to the junk yard.

[BoSNiaN]

Honestly, I won't even look at a car if it looks modded. People do too many stupid things for me to trust someone I've never met. Even wheels would be a serious red mark if they aren't OEM. The lesson is keep your stock parts, unless you are 100% sure that the car is going from your garage to the junk yard.

Same, but what if its another A4? I think most of us take pretty good care of our cars and pay top dollar for parts...I understand this argument for a "supped" up civic, but chances are someone with a B6 or B7 won't be doing anything too stupid with it in the first place...

[Mr Bonez]

For all you guys that convert back to stock, does that mean you keep your stock exhaust as well?

[fammd]

For all you guys that convert back to stock, does that mean you keep your stock exhaust as well?

Good question. I had the installer get rid of my stock cat back after they installed the new ones...[facepalm]

[GarrettReid]

This is exactly why I've kept all of my stock parts. Just in case I ever need to convert back to stock. The only stock part I don't have is the non s-line front bumper and grill. Because of this very reason I know I need to complete my DTM conversion before any resale. The dealer, or anyone for that matter, will want a full conversion or completely stock. No in between. Luckily, DTM is OEM, so it should help the value, or at least not hurt it.

Even going full DTM may hurt resale. It raises the question "was the car in an accident" or "what happened to the original bumpers"

[B72.0T]

I still have my stock exhaust (no downpipe), stock springs, cat, and turbo inlet hose, and little other things.

[DRAKLORE]

I don't have a single stock part left, but I plan on keeping my car till it rots

[TMurt]

As long as you don't do much body or mechanical work it shouldn't hurt it. Even lowering it shouldn't hurt it too much. Most people might not even notice a mild drop because it makes it look closer to other sport sedans (Such as a C300) than the damn stock 4x4 stuff does. Also think rims wouldn't hurt assuming they stick to an OEM+ theme

[funky_snowman]

Same, but what if its another A4? I think most of us take pretty good care of our cars and pay top dollar for parts...I understand this argument for a "supped" up civic, but chances are someone with a B6 or B7 won't be doing anything too stupid with it in the first place...

paying top dollar doesn't necessarily mean improved over oe. imo (even on the a4) too many aftermarket parts are primarily for show, increase maintenance needs, and/or don't really operate well/as advertised or make a positive difference on a street driven car. personally, most of the time all an aftermarket intake, excessively low suspension,or whatever else means to me is that I have to replace parts.

most consumers won't want an exhaust or anything else that shows.
unless you are selling it to someone who knows the cars and would end up doing the same mods. even then, that person probably wouldn't pay above realistic market value just because he knows what you added. asking more because of the parts just means you arent going to get many bites. mods hurt resale value.

then there's the fact that you can get a large amount of your money back money back by selling the parts in good condition separately rather than selling them on the car. unless you are talking about parts that take a horribly long time to replace, it just doesn't make sense to not pull them off.

[cheemn]

Wow I am pleasantly suprised on this thread how most of the replies are so accurate. I hope this thread is useful for anyone new to modding so that before they mod they are prepared for what comes down the road when they have to sell their ride. This should be stickied as a caution/education about modding. Maybe some links to some websites pertaining to facts about modding and what it does to resale would be nice.

[DRAKLORE]

I will never buy an unmodded car again! if it has the mods that I would do anyways, the previous owner prob drives it the way I would anyways lol
It's a machine, not a girlfriend. It's meant to be used, and if built right, it should be able to handle most abuse sent it's way. Next car I buy will be somebodys project, I'm less interested in price above/below market value, and more interested in the reason why they are selling. If they have some emergency that they need to fund, as opposed to getting rid of it because they are "bored with it" then yeah. I think that most of you on here are just not mechanically inclined enough to confidently step into somebody elses project/build.
It's not like I'd be looking at some pos beater Honda, I think you all need to separate the two echelons of car buying... Buying stock/buying modded. You can't hold the same morals and values for each experience, you need to fully embrace what route you are most comfortable with and then take baby steps from there.

[funky_snowman]

I will never buy an unmodded car again! if it has the mods that I would do anyways, the previous owner prob drives it the way I would anyways lol
It's a machine, not a girlfriend. It's meant to be used, and if built right, it should be able to handle most abuse sent it's way. Next car I buy will be somebodys project, I'm less interested in price above/below market value, and more interested in the reason why they are selling. If they have some emergency that they need to fund, as opposed to getting rid of it because they are "bored with it" then yeah. I think that most of you on here are just not mechanically inclined enough to confidently step into somebody elses project/build.
It's not like I'd be looking at some pos beater Honda, I think you all need to separate the two echelons of car buying... Buying stock/buying modded. You can't hold the same morals and values for each experience, you need to fully embrace what route you are most comfortable with and then take baby steps from there.

regardless of mechanical ability, the a4 project car supply greatly exceeds demand. its time and financial needs are just too high,and payoff too low when compared to the alternatives. its also just much easier to buy an unmolested example than to realistically expect to catch everything in a prepurchase inspection on a modded car.

unless you are talking about a popular project car (the possible exception), mods hurt resale... especially mods done "just because", which accounts for most of what people do on this board.

[Sprode]

Same, but what if its another A4? I think most of us take pretty good care of our cars and pay top dollar for parts...I understand this argument for a "supped" up civic, but chances are someone with a B6 or B7 won't be doing anything too stupid with it in the first place...


Honestly, I won't even look at a car if it looks modded. People do too many stupid things for me to trust someone I've never met. Even wheels would be a serious red mark if they aren't OEM. The lesson is keep your stock parts, unless you are 100% sure that the car is going from your garage to the junk yard.

You clearly haven't bought a modded car before. Other people's work is the worst thing on the planet. Even if it is done right, it is not done the way you would do it and you have to figure it out. I bought my A4 slightly modded, and some of it has been nice, but if anything ever goes wrong with it you have double the problems because you have to figure out what they did, then how to undo/check it, then redo it. God forbid something goes wrong with the engine.

[Sprode]

I will never buy an unmodded car again! if it has the mods that I would do anyways, the previous owner prob drives it the way I would anyways lol
It's a machine, not a girlfriend. It's meant to be used, and if built right, it should be able to handle most abuse sent it's way. Next car I buy will be somebodys project, I'm less interested in price above/below market value, and more interested in the reason why they are selling. If they have some emergency that they need to fund, as opposed to getting rid of it because they are "bored with it" then yeah. I think that most of you on here are just not mechanically inclined enough to confidently step into somebody elses project/build.
It's not like I'd be looking at some pos beater Honda, I think you all need to separate the two echelons of car buying... Buying stock/buying modded. You can't hold the same morals and values for each experience, you need to fully embrace what route you are most comfortable with and then take baby steps from there.

Ever bought a car with more than basic mods shane?

[DRAKLORE]

Nope :-) but I do know what your saying lol. It's not mechanical or aesthetic parts that are the problem. Its those birds nest wiring fiascos that would really scare me haha

[mr shickadance]

it would depend on the mods, i mean if it has a bixenon swap, or a set of v3's on it i would take a look.....i would also just spend more time talking to the seller, i mean after 10-15 minutes of meeting someone you can generally get a basic understanding on if the person knows what they are doing.

i mean i would buy phil's modifications.....shane on the other hand..... hahaha

[DRAKLORE]

Straight up Custom baby
Lol

[Sprode]

Nope :-) but I do know what your saying lol. It's not mechanical or aesthetic parts that are the problem. Its those birds nest wiring fiascos that would really scare me haha

You laugh now. You'll realize why modded cars lose their value (value=what someone will pay for it, not what its worth to you) when you can't trust the competency of work that went into a car at any given time once you buy one. I have changed or adjusted almost every mod that was on the car when I got it, and I thought I was getting such a good deal since it had half of what I wanted done already.

[flyingfish2626]

From just selling a heavily modded B5 S4 avant, I think the biggest drawback to mods is you really cut down on the buyers pool with every mod you do. Most people are ok with wheels and headlights. But when turbos are involved is where most people draw the line.

[JPT]

Why I dont buy moded cars is that it makes it really hard to find spare parts. It is too likely that you will have to do research on aftermarket parts, and figure out what make, and try to get replacement parts (and who knows if the aftermarket company is still exists). Then most will not honor warranties to new owners (warranty applies to original purchaser only)

I have tried to help people track down who makes what part on the internet... What a headache...

[shiro1745]

I would buy a modded car from somebody I know or even somebody here if in time you see all the progress he's done and this way get to know the car a bit. As Draklore said, if I'm planing to mod the car anyway it makes no sense to pass a deal like that cause we all know how expensive the aftermarket parts are and they all add up. I got my car the same way but it was a special case I dare to say, first of cause I knew nothing about the mods on the car (didn't know much about this specific car either) and second cause I got it with ~3k of mods as a CPO (I know lucky me).

I would be skeptical though buying a heavily modded car that I don't know, without inspecting it carefully beforehand and without knowing what I would get myself into.
I keep the records of all the mods I do to the car, all the receipts, paperwork, all the dates when different parts went on, services(oil changes, filters, alignments, tune-ups, etc.). If I ever need to sell it I could provide the car's history since I bought it. And of course I keep all the stock parts as well.

[Sprode]

I would buy a modded car from somebody I know or even somebody here if in time you see all the progress he's done and this way get to know the car a bit. As Draklore said, if I'm planing to mod the car anyway it makes no sense to pass a deal like that cause we all know how expensive the aftermarket parts are and they all add up. I got my car the same way but it was a special case I dare to say, first of cause I knew nothing about the mods on the car (didn't know much about this specific car either) and second cause I got it with ~3k of mods as a CPO (I know lucky me).

I would be skeptical though buying a heavily modded car that I don't know, without inspecting it carefully beforehand and without knowing what I would get myself into.
I keep the records of all the mods I do to the car, all the receipts, paperwork, all the dates when different parts went on, services(oil changes, filters, alignments, tune-ups, etc.). If I ever need to sell it I could provide the car's history since I bought it. And of course I keep all the stock parts as well.

That is a huge IF.

[funky_snowman]

so, i think we can agree that selling and buying modded cars is generally a bad idea.

[BoSNiaN]

From just selling a heavily modded B5 S4 avant, I think the biggest drawback to mods is you really cut down on the buyers pool with every mod you do. Most people are ok with wheels and headlights. But when turbos are involved is where most people draw the line.

Good point. The numbers I used in the first post were just examples (looking at your Scott lol) but I see now car #1 would be the same price, if not less despite its mods....I also agree it depends on the mod. Wheels, upgraded OEM stereo, xenon's, I think will increase the cars value, but something like a turbo will drastically reduce it. Another thing that would make a legitimate excuse for the price difference is that enthusiast (or modded) cars have typically much higher mileage.

[DRAKLORE]

I couldnt sell my a4 anyways! 1. To attached! 2. I am way to honest to attract buyers to the car, I would disclose every little scuff ding or blemish, and warn the buyer of any little gremlins or possible issue. (that's why I'm no fun at car shows! People be like "Wow man, that car be perfect!" and then I be like"no way man! If it was perfect would these wheels have these scratches! Or this bumper be sawz-alled!".... Instead of just sayin THX!
That and most people who heavily mod cars are complete douschebags...

My .02

[Charles.waite]

Good point. The numbers I used in the first post were just examples (looking at your Scott lol) but I see now car #1 would be the same price, if not less despite its mods....I also agree it depends on the mod. Wheels, upgraded OEM stereo, xenon's, I think will increase the cars value, but something like a turbo will drastically reduce it. Another thing that would make a legitimate excuse for the price difference is that enthusiast (or modded) cars have typically much higher mileage.

Honestly no mods will ever increase the value of a car EXCEPT to an enthusiast who would have done it anyway. But to the general public: no, unless you can pass it off as an OEM "upgrade". Stereos will NEVER increase the value of a car. Period.

[BoSNiaN]

Honestly no mods will ever increase the value of a car EXCEPT to an enthusiast who would have done it anyway. But to the general public: no, unless you can pass it off as an OEM "upgrade". Stereos will NEVER increase the value of a car. Period.

It will in my case I am pretty certain, Symphony II (b6 style) to Symphony II+ (b7 style).

[groundround]

i hope i never have to sell my car, i want the year it took me to pay it off back in return :).

[mr shickadance]

OEM upgrades will bring the value of the car up.....for example, a non s line to s line full conversion.....you could certainly pull the wool over some dealers and have your car qualify for s-line.....some dealers will catch it, others will be quick to make you an offer and suffer as a result.

wheels are a 50-50, i mean private party maybe if the wheels were super legit and rare, yea.....but you could always put stockers on your car and sell the wheels on the side anyway so it really should not count

any performance mods you can go ahead and drop the resale value on.....that means HFC's, chips, sway bars, coils, im sorry....if its not OEM its not going to get you any money

sound mods are a waste of money too (in terms of getting that money) with one exception.....the RSN-E, that baby would up the price of the car for sure how much? idk but it would certainly increase value

the adaptive bi-xenons.....yea that will up you cars resale value




but you dont mod your car for the resale value, you mod the car bc its your hobby and you like tinkering and you like enhancing the driveability or entertainment that the car brings you


if you honestly are thinking about resale then mod away.....just be sure to:

1) don't drill, tap, screw or attach anything that you can't undo.....for example....if you want water meth? well get a FMIC first and tap into that, that way when you resell your car you can yank the water meth and the old FMIC out and swap in the dsmic with no harm done to your car

2) don't paint anything.....you will spend an assload re-painting and painting will hurt your resale value too!....this is why plasti-dip and wraps are a very good option

3) mod within reason.....dont go dropping rods and upgrading valve springs bc you kno your lazy ass will not end up taking those out and it will NOT help resale value

[groundround]

haha

I look at my car as one of my best friends.

We have gone through a divorce together, a DUI, a 3 some etc... no way am i selling this thing.

[ericpaulyoung]

groundround - that is pretty cool. I do hope you are not counting the car as one of the 3-some ;P
- Eric

[groundround]

groundround - that is pretty cool. I do hope you are not counting the car as one of the 3-some ;P
- Eric

LOL like I said we went through a lot together :)

I controlled the pedals and she did the riding and steering, I have to count my car as the third.

[Sprode]

It will in my case I am pretty certain, Symphony II (b6 style) to Symphony II+ (b7 style).

Think about the fact that you are paying OEM price to buy the part and I will assume labor to install it. The return you will get will be based on the depreciation of the car. It may slightly improve the selling ability, but you will get back nowhere near what you put in. Half at most.

[vdubjetta02]

I just traded my Modified b7 a4 into a dealer. At the end of the day, I talked him into giving me $750 more than he wanted to because I had all my reciepts & professional installation for my modifications and I had a thick ass folder of all my records. He quickly realized that I took care of the car.

-The dealer sold it within 4 hours of listing my car..... as the dealer told me " You aren't your average street racing moddded up enthusiast, Your car was very tasteful & we appreciate that"

[Sprode]

I just traded my Modified b7 a4 into a dealer. At the end of the day, I talked him into giving me $750 more than he wanted to because I had all my reciepts & professional installation for my modifications and I had a thick ass folder of all my records. He quickly realized that I took care of the car.

-The dealer sold it within 4 hours of listing my car..... as the dealer told me " You aren't your average street racing moddded up enthusiast, Your car was very tasteful & we appreciate that"

How much do you think you spent in mods?

[Homer]

The last thing I'd do is buy a molested (modded) car from some schmuck.

[GAIC Husky]

The last thing I'd do is buy a molested (modded) car from some schmuck.

x2. If I am buying a used car I make sure that the miles are low and she is a virgin to mods.

[mr shickadance]

How much do you think you spent in mods?

the real question is how much money could he have got had he parted out, then trade in.....prolly a LOT more then 750

[vdubjetta02]

the real question is how much money could he have got had he parted out, then trade in.....prolly a LOT more then 750

I had Zero stock parts, I sold all my stock parts after I put the aftermarket parts on making my modifications actually cost a lot less

EX. I bought Koni Coils on special for $900 and sold my stock sport suspension for $450. So my coils only cost me $450.....

At the end of the day, my mods did not cost me that much money, so your assumption is incorrect.

Also, I am not going to spend my time de-modding a car, I have other things to be working on and I see it as time x value of my time = not worth it

[Inked]

I don't have a single stock part left, but I plan on keeping my car till it rots

This, /thread.

Modding is a waste if you are just going to sell it in a year or two. Park the car n the garage and buy a new car then you can have the old car as a toy for a BAT setup

[vdubjetta02]

This, /thread.

Modding is a waste if you are just going to sell it in a year or two. Park the car n the garage and buy a new car then you can have the old car as a toy for a BAT setup

Could not disagree more.... I drive about 40,000 miles a year. I want to enjoy my commute, therefore I enjoy moddifying my car. I get to enjoy my car how I want it for 40,000 miles a year/ 2 hours a day driving it. No stock car under $50,000 is going to keep me happy driving it 2 hours a day for that many miles.

[mr shickadance]

I had Zero stock parts, I sold all my stock parts after I put the aftermarket parts on making my modifications actually cost a lot less

EX. I bought Koni Coils on special for $900 and sold my stock sport suspension for $450. So my coils only cost me $450.....

At the end of the day, my mods did not cost me that much money, so your assumption is incorrect.

Also, I am not going to spend my time de-modding a car, I have other things to be working on and I see it as time x value of my time = not worth it


your telling me that all of your mods ended up netting you only 750$? were you chipped? (stage 2 right?, exhaust, intake, HFC too) bc if thats the case then you already blew your budget factoring in only a tune and coils.....my assumption is not wrong


all im saying is that if you were to keep your stock parts, and part out your mods you would have ended up with more than what the dealer gave you as an add-on

[DRAKLORE]

I think this is a stupid argument, because no matter if you part out, sell your stock parts or don't mod at all, you lose a buttload of cash if you sell regardless.

So I guess it looks like me modding to my desire, selling all my stock shit for profit, and enjoying my car and hopefully my kid will someday to... Is the most beneficial route to take...

/thread

[Charles.waite]

I think this is a stupid argument, because no matter if you part out, sell your stock parts or don't mod at all, you lose a buttload of cash if you sell regardless.

So I guess it looks like me modding to my desire, selling all my stock shit for profit, and enjoying my car and hopefully my kid will someday to... Is the most beneficial route to take...

/thread

This. You'll never "get your money back" from modding a car. Any car under $100k are absolutely terrible investments always/without exception. Most cars over that are even worse investments. If you're getting an audi with the hopes of getting a good resale down the line you are deluding yourself. Get something Japanese if thats what you care about. Otherwise enjoy it and consider the cost of modding an investment in your happiness!

[DRAKLORE]

The only vehicle related investment that's smart, would be to buy a classic for a few hundred and spend a few thousand to restore it, worst case scenario you give up half way and sell it for what you've got into it. Bondo and used parts can be bartered for or really cheap.
Ask me how I know :-) I've been picking away at my 81 Vw rabbit pickup for the last few months! Might have spent 150$ so far and it's already 100x better! Parts if you can find them are so freaking cheap too

[funky_snowman]

cheap cars are the best projects.