I was wondering if anyone had any idea how doing noticeable car mods affects resale value. I'm pretty sure adding something like a replaced grille or aftermarket body kit may decrease the value, but is it signifigant? Or are those the types of things that people just return to stock when its time to trade the car in?

 

anything other than stock *decreases* the value of the car as far as a dealer is concerned. streetvalue is another story, however. when i got my TL-S it was dropped, debadged and had a AEM CAI in it. i payed full NADA value for it (which is slightly less than what the dealer wanted).

things like that won't hurt your value too much. if you go changing the radio system, adding carbon fiber hoods or cams, blowers, headers, i can imagine that will definitely decrease your dealer value for a trade in, although i would imagine they would still try and sell it for more than it's really worth.

by how much i couldn't tell ya. sorry.

SSTS

 

That's about what I expected :P So there is no point in doing mods if you plan on selling the car in 5-6 years, is there. Might as well lease it :P

 

For what it's worth, I wasn't considering doing anything crazy to my potential TL, but to the potential G35C. Was thinking that if I picked that car, I'd need to replace the grille at a minimum.

 

IMO, any modification is a sunk cost. Do it for your own satisfaction. Unless of course you can find someone as "fanatically" about cars as we are and can appreciate the the joys of mods.

 

SatinSilver has it right - my Type-S with all the CompTech mods had less trade value - the dealers want cars they can dumnp at auction or wholesale quickly, not tricked out cars.

The S2000 will be another story - I will advertize that in AutoWeek and the local papers, seeking a car lover who will appreciate the many performance and handling mods. There is always some kid looking for a very clean car that look and sounds "far from the madding crowd".

 

An OEM package like Aspec should command higher resale value though, right? Or is that totally lost as well?

 

you are 100% correct, the a-spec will have a higher resale, as the package is an extremely rare dealer-only option. only yhing is that there is no option for "a-spec" in the NADA guide or kelley blue book, so the dealer might not be as inclined to pony up the extra bucks as a private buyer would.

SSTS

 

Ive given this a lot of thought as well, and am likely to only do dealer mods such as
aspec package
and perhaps dealer installed sway bar.

The only thing that I added was the dvd player, which I dont think will reduce the amount of the car...but probally break even. if anything, it may raise a buyers intrest level, but in a few years (when i sell it) neraly EVERYONE will have a dvd player in their car and screens! (or at least in back seats)

So in summary: Im only going to be doing factory and dealer stuff...besides, in my opionion it looks better, and less 'ricey'

 

Actually, at kbb.com, the A-Spec package is listed as an option to choose
for acquiring the suggested retail price for a used Acura TL 3.2.

 

I think it depends on dealers too, some dealers embrace proper mods, I know that Acura of Brookfield in WI sells a lot of their Acuras with loads of comptech parts, aftermarket wheels and such. They also buy them and sell them for a premium. Either way, to achieve the most money for your car, you're better off selling private.

 

Don't ever sell your car to a dealer, either way you lose.

 

Agreed!

 

I think I'll just stick with the oem body kit, tires, and rims then. Maybe I'll go and get upgraded springs If I ever feel that the stock ones aren't adequate.

Though, if that mugen grille ever comes out...

Eh, screw it. I'll get whatever I want and worry about it in 5 years :P

 

These things will help to get top dollar when you trade (this info has been updated from my previous post that was moved):

1. Big Acura TL graphic on windshied, or maybe Oakley
2. Another graphic on the back window, maybe one of those peeing ones, or some kind of saint or demon (reflective material or not?), or if you prefer a big 3 or 8 on the front doors, or some red/orange flame decals on the sides
3. Stickers from the local police, sheriff, or state police so you won't get a ticket for driving 140 on the Interstate.
4. Some neon lights underneath the car
5. A neon light around the license plate
6. A big ass rear wing from a NHRA funny car
7. Some 6" diameter exhaust pipes and some Hooker headers
8. A 100,000 watt sound system that has a 1,000 volume level on the display instead of that wimpy 40 on the Acura/ELS. Note: Be sure to put the subwoofers under the back seat and have your girlfriend sit there
9. Some landing lights from a 747 instead of those yellowish 9006 fog lights
10. A chain steering wheel and fuzzy dashboard cover
11. A bead back rest after having new tucked and rolled upholstery installed in TJ.
12. Some fuzzy dice and/or a rosary and assorted air fresheners for the rearview mirror
13. Chase lights on the headliner
14. LED's on the flourescent windshield wipers and on the valve caps
15. Cue ball shift lever
16. Reflective silver tinted windows--with the moleskin
17. One of those new g-force meters, or a set of real gauges mounted on the dash, but be sure the tach is at least 6" in diameter
18. Oil and air filters from an earth mover since the Honda/Acura are so wimpy
19. Some secret formula $25 a quart oil from a company that only sells on e-bay and will extend your oil changes to 50,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first, or your money back--guaranteed
20. Some car polish/wax you only apply once a decade that was developed by some secret government agency for the star wars program, but if you hurry you can get some for only $125 an ounce, since the supply is limited
21. A built-in radar detector and jammer
22. A set of cow magnets to increase my fuel mileage 17% (20% going downhill)
23. Some Yosemite Sam "Back Off" mud flaps
24. A set of chrome rims and tires from a Peterbilt, or those "spinner" rims that are so cool
25. Cleared headlights, of course
26. Take off all the badges (I don't need no stinkin' badges!)
27. A dash plaque (limited edition from the BIG/ODD LOTS)
28. How's my driving? bumper sticker
29. A brake system with red painted calipers with white Acura letters
30. A peel 'n stick genuine faux wood-like trim kit for the dashboard
31. Rewire the remote and install some hydraulics so that car will jump up and down when locking the doors instead of having that wimpy beep
32. Replace your horn with a system that plays Dixie, La Cucaracha, or Zip a Dee Do Da.
33. Smoked colored window, windshield, and sunroof visors
34. Get those beautiful silver and white taillight housings
35. Be sure to have your filthy hunting and/or baseball caps on the rear shelf, or a bobble head dog

 

^-- LOL spent sometime on that huh.

 

If I were to buy a car I would look for a non-modded car. Why? I have suspension work on my car currently and I tell you I drive it harder than I did when it was stock. the reason is because the car can handle it now.

If a guy with a suspension-modded car tells you that he drove his car "normally", would you be as inclined to believe him as someone with a stock car? I don't think so.

That's why. Buyers assume (more often than not, correctly) that ppl with suspension and/or engine mods drive their cars harder. Why would they mod it in the first place?

And people with exterior/sound mods do it to be aesthetically pleasing. However that is often subjective so it's really up to the buyer. Me, my suspension is done fully on my '00 Accord (Eibach Springs, Bilstein Shocks, '04 TL 20mm rear sway, Eibach Strut Tower Bar, 17" Wheels/Tires). The only other mod I'll put is my exhaust tips. I think on a car like the Accord, any other mods will likely look gawdy, or what I call the "trying too hard" look.

Basically, I kept all my stock parts. If I ever were to sell the car, I'd definitely revert it back, even though that's for the worse as far as handling. The buyer can always pick up the parts.

There's something called "buyer beware" where a seller does not have to ask tell you everything. But if the buyer were to ask flat out "have this car ever been modded" then ethically (legally?) the seller would have to provide that information. So even if you revert back to stock, you're not off the hook yet when it comes to a smart buyer.

So how do you know REALLY if a car is stock or just brought back to stock shortly before you buy it? hm....I have no idea.

 

Your car might be rice if....

 

 

Did I metion the plastic balls you can order on ebay to place underneath your rear bumper. I beleive this will increase your veichle's value substantially.

 

A "glow in the dark" plastic statue of Mary on the dash. A sale-clincher.

 

Bringing this back from the dead for the newbies.