Extras

True, I put a lot of things on my Fabia vrs but people were put off from buying it because it had been 'potched about with' to much.
So, put it back to standard apart from map, tinted windows and led's (ironically) and it sold with ease.
I sold all the bits taken off and now that's going towards my Avant.

Some people are very vary about mods/extras added and presume its been ragged around, but some people want to buy a car already done so it saves them the hassle, i guess its 50/50 tbh.

personally i like to add extras/mods to cars as i enjoy it and appreciate the car more.

like it !

I think most people don't want heavily modified cars.

It's a fairly unusual thing to look for a car that someone else has modded and also means trusting that it hasn't been raced etc.

I knew when I started doing things to mine that I'd be keeping it but then I wanted to in any case.

Cars will not make you money, they make you spend it

N8 said:

Cars will not make you money, they make you spend it

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So true!

Seems ironic, as I would assume that a (tastefully) modded car was well maintained and taken care of, versus something stock that was driven by an old lady and probably serviced sporadically at a quickie lube place!

For me it depends on the car. I've seen some really nicely modded classics: a Vitesse with a 2.0L Zetec and 5 speed box, a gold Scimtar SE6 with Granada front and rear bumpers and Jag XK seats, a lovely Sebring replica MGB with uprated engine and suspension (replica Minilites) and so on. I'd happily buy any of them. If I could afford one I'd buy a Z-Cars Mini tomorrow just to play with on Sundays!

However; with current (ish) models, an something I am going to drive daily, modifications always put me off. I'd accept a remap (if it was done by a good name with all documentation) and an DPF/EGR delete (again - documentation), possibly some subtle cosmetic mods (upgraded interior, ICE, wheels etc) - but nothing aftermarket, and I'd walk away if lowered suspension, cat back exhausts, bigger turbos etc were mentioned.

Reading this back I suppose if the mods were something I'd do (if I had the time and money) I'd accept them (but look very carefully at how well they'd been done) but if they went beyond that I'd be very uncomfortable. I like to a few things to my cars but prefer to keep it subtle. I've had a remap (why not!) and DPF delete (no brainer), fitted Parrot Blue Tooth (too many RNSs getting stolen) got a nice set of mats, and have upgraded to a Sachs clutch when mine started slipping (but that's another story - see my post: http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/164781-new-sachs-clutch-slipping.html ). I will probably install Cruise Control (once I have the clutch sorted), might get some better (Audi) alloys, and possibly a MFSteering Wheel. Might get the roof resprayed (bird poo damage which wont polish out). I've already got black leather, dual climate and the stereo is pretty good. Not bothered about elec/heated seats (I know they are nice) and not a fan of tints, spoilers, splitters and general 'bling'.

I really like having the power and handling there to use (when it's safe) but in as stock looking package. That's why I loved my (stock) S4. Spotty 'youfs' in their slammed Clios ans Corsas couldn't believe how quick the balding, pot bellied old git in his "A4" was!

I'm completely with you old-boy-racer.. I think with modern cars being modified it is all dependent on who does it and whats been done as it could be some "youth" (as old boy put, I'm only 21) thats driven it worse than he stole it.. However with older cars being modified they are usually done by people who care about the car as you have to do restoration work or put alot of time, money, experence and effort into and it's their project and pride and joy more so than what a daily is.. However if the modern car is a show car however then yes, I know they're well cared for but percentage wise of modified classics to modifed modern cars that are well cared for is high as they're usually weekend project cars rather than dailys..

I have my audi which isn't standard but then I also have a classic mini project that is mid engined RWD (similar to zcar) and not a single thing is standard on it and I have to say that I care alot more about than my daily audi.. I make sure my audi is ok and what not but thats about it.. I don't make sure the tracking is off or have it corner weighted and keep it in a garage and service it ever couple weeks..

I guess I'd be carefully of mods on non classic cars.. Who had it before, who did it and why they did the mod and for what reason..

Lot of class for one so young Rich. You have my ideal car stable: Audi daily driver and a Z-Car for fun. Lucky guy.

You should see the rest of my stable then.. I think I'm on 7 or 8 cars currently, selling 1 and scraping another.. Only 2 are tinkered with though, the daily and the mini.. It's build thread is in my sig if your intrested in it.. Theres a TR3 and TVR in there too waiting for resto work..

Ontopic: The thing with modding your car is that you will never get the money back for them if left on your car when selling but is often a hassle to remove them as you sell the original parts.. They're only worth as much as another person wants them.. I would only do ones that I want and are easily removable or transferable as then you can keep them for your next car.. They also attract alot of unwanted attention and can risk losing them so thats why I do subtle ones or ones that I really want..

Richh999,

That's excellent advice.

You never get back what you put in and if you modify your car that's got to be at the top of your mind.

Just enjoy the results.

which is why you have a daily and a weekend / show car as im learning the hard way but give me 2 years and youll see

PH1L said:

which is why you have a daily and a weekend / show car as im learning the hard way but give me 2 years and youll see

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Mine have always been daily drivers...even the GpN Escort.

Enjoy!

Indeed, life is too short to worry about money sometimes!

Richh999 said:

You should see the rest of my stable then.. I think I'm on 7 or 8 cars currently, selling 1 and scraping another.. Only 2 are tinkered with though, the daily and the mini.. It's build thread is in my sig if your intrested in it.. Theres a TR3 and TVR in there too waiting for resto work..

Ontopic: The thing with modding your car is that you will never get the money back for them if left on your car when selling but is often a hassle to remove them as you sell the original parts.. They're only worth as much as another person wants them.. I would only do ones that I want and are easily removable or transferable as then you can keep them for your next car.. They also attract alot of unwanted attention and can risk losing them so thats why I do subtle ones or ones that I really want..

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Interesting build pics and write up. You are a very talented young man. I envy you your skills and facilities (love the JCB engine crane).

Back on topic: I completely agree with you. Youth, skill, facilities and wisdom! Well done fella. I'd have you on my (fantasy) Scrap Heap Challenge team any day!

S3Alex said:

Mine have always been daily drivers...even the GpN Escort.

Enjoy!

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depends on colour and what roads you drive

S3Alex said:

Mine have always been daily drivers...even the GpN Escort.

Enjoy!

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Depends what you need to do in your daily.. Unfortunatly for me, the mini isn't MOT'd YET and also praticality of using a 2 seater mini with no boot or rear seats due to engine isn't great as you can't take, carry or have many passangers.. I will use it regually though when I can..

No point having a car if your not going to drive it.. I hate people who buy nice expensive cars and then just leave them in the garage and never drive them and just show them off..

Old-Boy. Thanks, Glad you like it.. The JCB is one of the perks of living on a farm.. I would love to be on that show, would be soo much fun I think..

Ontopic. One great thing abouts some mods though is that if someone is looking at 2 cars, same age, milage, engine, price(ish) etc however yours has some mods they like/want/improve the look of the car then they'll most likely buy yours..
I paid an extra 350 for mine to already have the fbmfsw as I knew it would cost more for me to add it.. I would've choosen the other one though if it didn't have it as it had the alu inserts rather than piano black..