[thorrad]

So I have to ask if adding mods to my 2007 STi will reduce its resale value. The reason I have to ask is that unless something changes in my financial picture somewhat soon I will have to (**GASP**) sell it! I can't bear to think....

I have so far only added the APv2 to the car and nothing else. I have been (fairly) polite to the engine, with not too many trips to the redline and far fewer than most posters I hear from here. Most of the time I am stuck in traffic anyway...

All in all I have used it as a daily driver (evident from the 14200 miles on the thing) and have never really spend too much time trashing it.

The big question is: If I decide to mod the thing before I get rid of it (you know, just to see if it goes like they say) will I be adding to the value or subtracting from it? do you potential buyers want a virgin machine or one that has the basic mods you want?

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Selling your STi is FTMF'n L!

[upncummr]

In my opinion modifying the car is going to diminish the value of the car.

Best case scenario is that you'll find someone that is interested in specifically the mods that you've done and that will make the sale easier. But that's unlikely.

Typically when I see cars being sold here it usually says "Going Back to Stock Sale" and the seller is returning the car to stock form in order to maximaze its value and then attempts to seperately recoup the cost of the mods.

When I see buyers posting ads here they usually say "looking for stock, unmolested STi". Most prospective buyers shy away from heavily modified cars.

Gary

[GoLawrence]

Originally Posted by upncummr

In my opinion modifying the car is going to diminish the value of the car.

Best case scenario is that you'll find someone that is interested in specifically the mods that you've done and that will make the sale easier. But that's unlikely.

Typically when I see cars being sold here it usually says "Going Back to Stock Sale" and the seller is returning the car to stock form in order to maximaze its value and then attempts to seperately recoup the cost of the mods.

When I see buyers posting ads here they usually say "looking for stock, unmolested STi". Most prospective buyers shy away from heavily modified cars.

Gary

Gary is correct... If you don't take it back to stock you will just loose what you put into it. I sold my Intergra GSR with $5k in aftermarket and didn't get anything for it. I should have taken the time to take everything off.

Cars are money pits - but we love them

[Loubaru]

ummm... save the money you would spend on mods to help you be able to keep the car? if your set on modding it, you can just save your stock parts and return to stock when you sell it.

[evilSTi7]

yea, you sure as hell shouldn't be spending money on mods if you have to potentially sell the car.

Modding a car will rarely increase the resale value (unless it's high class parts on a high class car). To get the most money for you car when you sell it you'll have to take all the parts off, and you'll never be able to sell your parts to close to what you paid for them.

[thorrad]

That is pretty much what I thought. I really appreciate the input. I was also thinking that all of the trouble with modding this particular model year might also make it a better deal to just stay stock in the first place. I assume that there is greater value in the car being always stock even over a car that was modded and brought back to stock. That way the new owner knows that the car was not treated as harshly as it might be if it were previously modded. Is this the general thinking?

[FlyinbySTi]

Yes, I would keep the car stock. You wont get back the money you spend in mods. That money would be better spent on a new car if your buying one. People really want to mod a car their own way.

[boondocksaint]

Why are you even considering modding the car if you're in dire enough financial straights to force its sale? Am I missing something? Sorry.

[GoLawrence]

Originally Posted by thorrad

That is pretty much what I thought. I really appreciate the input. I was also thinking that all of the trouble with modding this particular model year might also make it a better deal to just stay stock in the first place. I assume that there is greater value in the car being always stock even over a car that was modded and brought back to stock. That way the new owner knows that the car was not treated as harshly as it might be if it were previously modded. Is this the general thinking?

Dude... you got an STi. Anybody that buys it knows that it was run hard one time or another. You don't need to mod it if you are happy with it. Most of us mod because we like to be diffrent, make the car match our personality a bit. I'm happy with it stock, well the SPT intake, STP CAT-Back, turbo shield, intake shield. I wen't this way because I wanted to keep the warranty valid, I paid for the extra 100,000 mi coverage.

What I'm saying is you don't need to mod it to love it. What made you get the STi in the first place?

Larry

[thorrad]

Originally Posted by GoLawrence

Dude... you got an STi.

...

What I'm saying is you don't need to mod it to love it. What made you get the STi in the first place?

Larry

Yeah! I sure do. I love this thing. I have thought of modding it but I don't want to hurt it. I also am not too sure if I need any more power.

I have been in love with Subarus for 15 years. I have in that time owned 8 of them with the STi being just the latest in a long line of subies that I have driven, often well into the 175,000 mile range. The STi is my dream car. I have loved it since I heard of it back in 2004. When I finally got a new job and was making some real money I ran right out and bought one. It was the only time I have ever bought a new car and it was wonderful. From the day I drove it off the lot I was in heaven. I don't want to have to give it up.

The issue of having to sell it is still a ways out and may be mitigated by a whole list of other factors but it still is hanging out there. The STi is a car that has a very specialty following. It is cult like in it's fanatic devotees. I know. I am one. I regret that I would have to sell but I will only do that if it is the only way. I want to make sure that those who would be buying this car from me would be able to have the same kind of experience with it as I did. Not to have it ruined by some modding I did just before I had to sell it.

Sounds like I might need to get a second job! Anyone need a really kick ass photographer?

[lidrew]

Originally Posted by thorrad

That is pretty much what I thought. I really appreciate the input. I was also thinking that all of the trouble with modding this particular model year might also make it a better deal to just stay stock in the first place. I assume that there is greater value in the car being always stock even over a car that was modded and brought back to stock. That way the new owner knows that the car was not treated as harshly as it might be if it were previously modded. Is this the general thinking?

Not Sure I know what you mean by "trouble with modding this particular model year"?

If you return your car to stock when you sell it, it will have roughly the same value as a car that was never modified. If you are doing simple Stage 2 upgrades, it would be a non issue. You flash back to stock and take all your parts off. sell them. Done deal. If you have extensive modifications done then a potential buyer might be a little weary about the car. A very HIGH percentage of STis are modified. It is a reason many of us buy a factory turbocharged car.....cheap to upgrade.
Another thing to keep in mind is just because a re car is modified, doesn't mean it was beat on any more than a stock STi. I'm 33 years old with a stage2 Sti and have been driving manual for 15 years. I have launched my car only a few times. Would you rather buy my car or the 18 year old kids with the Stock STi who launches at EVERY light??
Bottom line is you don't buy this car to "maintain value" and worry about how much it will be worth when you sell it. If you think it's "better off staying stock", you need to drive a Protuned stage 2 and then an upgraded turbo STi

[STIVendetta]

Originally Posted by boondocksaint

Why are you even considering modding the car if you're in dire enough financial straights to force its sale? Am I missing something? Sorry.

That what I was thinking??????

[JD_STI]

I don't understand this question. Should I mod my car before I have to sell it because I can no longer afford to pay for the car...

[Peleg]

Depends to what level you're taking it.

If you're going with mods that can be taken off/reversed/un-installed you can put the car back to stock.

I wouldn't worry about this too much though, cars depreciate anyways, life is too short, enjoy the car.

[05 CGM Sti]

Originally Posted by Peleg

Depends to what level you're taking it.

If you're going with mods that can be taken off/reversed/un-installed you can put the car back to stock.

I wouldn't worry about this too much though, cars depreciate anyways, life is too short, enjoy the car.

^^^ Yeah that! BTW 1700 miles on my 07 and i've never launched it! I've been stage 2 since 1220 miles and pretty much babied it so far. EVERY MODDED CAR LOOSES MONEY!!! If you can find any car/truck thats modified, base price+ mods, they all are loosing money. * Unless its a Muscle car that you picked up for cheep or its been passed through the family. *