Okay, well I was just wondering today about doing modifications on my car. If I were to custom mold IS 300 tail lights into my car, would this lower the value of my car? also could I still trade it into the dealer if it's been altered? any answers would be greatly appreciated.

 

The second you drove the car off the lot you lost a few grand... Yes a dealership will take modded cars.

 

From what I've seen and heard, the dealer most times won't take a mod car for a trade in, if they do, you won't get much for it. You should try and talk to some local dealers and see what they say.

 

For the most part, aftermarket parts won't up the value of the car they're on. Maybe if you're selling privately, but definitely not at the dealer.

 

trust me, any little mod you do to your car will make the value go down like crazy...i was trying to trade in my SI for the evo and the dealer told me my car worth 10G but will only give me 6G cause i painted the car white. it sucks.

 

yeah price usually goes down with mods because for the most part...no one wants it. you can sell it for more to someone who knows all about car's and stuff privately but usually you'll get the low end of the deal. many ppl want to do mods on their one also. so i guess it depends.

 

the dealer won't give you a dime more for any modifications, even if you have 10 000$ worth of 'em.

privately, well it's very hard to sell a modded car. No one want's a pre modded car. First they are all beaten to death, so engines never last, secund, they want to build up their's according to their tastes..

So modding a car is for you only, it's a continuous money trap.. That's why many only put direct bolt on.. they car sell the parts separatly and put the car back stock to sell it.

Etienne

 

they did this cuz repainting the car voids the paint warrenty on your car.

 

some mods can increase the value of your car.
for example my car came with hub caps, i now have 17's, one of the questions the dealer asks you is ...."what kind of wheels?" i can now check the alloy wheel box. so that mod helps. but thats about it, well my modded car almost got me about 20 grand, he thought it was an IS300. lol

 

yes mods lower value because the usually void the warranty so the price goes down always keep old parts to replace then just in case crap like that happens

 

Ricing out the Lancer now?

 

EVERY MOD YOU ADD TO THE CAR, IT LOOSES VALUE. THE ONLY WAY TO GET GOOD $$$ FROM IT, IS SELL PRIVATE PARTY. LIL BIT LESS THAT KBB.

 

cool cool, thanks for all the input. And yes I'm modding out the Lancer now, I'm not rich so I can't afford an Evo even though I want one bad, the VII that is. I'm still not that thrilled with the VIII but I guess I'll need some more time.

 

Actually, the cheapest mods, like neons, stickers and tint, both increase the value of your Lancer and add horsepower, without the need for often pricey aftermarket forced induction kits.

 

I would say like MrSpace, if you mod your car it's for you only. If you plan on selling your car say 3 years after you bought it. Don't touch the body, cause of paint warranty.

Second, keep all the original parts, so if you know someone who can replace the mod stuff with the original stuff for cheap, you won't lose a lot of money and you will have fun with your mod car for 3 years.

The only part I know that will add value to the car are good looking wheels and tires. Everyone likes good looking wheels, they are not ready to pay for them full price, but it will help to sell the car fast!

Friends of mine have done it already and it worked well with Honda's at least.

Good luck!