Would you buy a premodded car?

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,419
1,599
126
I'm in the market for a new car and I was wondering what were your guys' thoughts on buying a premodded car?

On one hand, the car might have been in the hands of an enthusiast and taken very well care of.

On the other hand, the car might have been abused like a red headed step child and raced every Saturday.


Opinions?


EXAMPLE



look at this car
pix and other stuff link

that is a 99 prelude for only 16

it already has

- 49,000 miles (Mostly freeway commuting from San Diego to LA)
- VIS carbon fiber hood
- Mugen replica front bumper
- Mugen replica rear valence
- Mugen replica rear spoiler
- Buddy club sideskirts
- Neuspeed sport springs
- Neuspeed front strut bar

Which is about 1.5k in mods alone

a 99 prelude generally sells for 16-18k
 

Rallispec

Lifer
Jul 26, 2001
12,375
10
81
i'd say no.. becuase the only reason to Mod a car is to race it.. so you can bet that its been driven some...
of course, with any car take it to a shop or something first and have it inspected.
 

flot

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2000
3,197
0
0
Maybe, but I'd lean towards no. Unless the mods happen to be *exactly* what you're looking for, and the price is cheap enough that it works out in your favor.

For instance, if the car has $2000 rims you really like - it's worth anywhere between the "normal" car price, and say $1000 more. But - if the car is a civic with a $4000 supercharger -- it's worth about as much as the civic without it - MAYBE a touch more but not likely. The question you have to ask yourself is, would I have put the supercharger on - and am I prepared to pay for the maintance if the upgrades were poorly done/planned?

The only big exception would be a near mint, immaculate show-car type. But those usually sell for $$$ well over what a stock car would be.
 

Tominator

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
9,559
1
0
Well, it all depends...

Rarely do mods actually increase the actual value of a car. If they do, the mods are done professionally and all receipts are available.

Rims and tires are worth maybe 25% of the best price you can find. They add very little value.

Professional modifications such as paint or mechanical mods are only worth something if done by a VERY well known entity. Very very fewfall in to this category.

Factory approved modifications are in a different category...
 

Rallispec

Lifer
Jul 26, 2001
12,375
10
81
seeing as how none of the mods are to the engine, it looks like you'd be alright.. i wouldnt pay 16k for it though.
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,419
1,599
126
why wouldn't you pay 16k for it?

the kbb/going rate on that thing is like 18
 

toph99

Diamond Member
Aug 25, 2000
5,505
0
0
something like a Saleen or Roushe, of course i would :) something that someone did in their garage i'd be a bit more wary of because i wouldn't know exactly what they did, or any problems they encountered etc.
 

BlackOmen

Senior member
Aug 23, 2001
526
0
0
With actual engine mods to a decent engine, probably (say a Chevy 350 making 410, then yes). But rice mods (either to a foreign or domestic car): no.