I find it very ironic...

[Mopar Steve]

I've owned Vipers since the mid to late 90's and usually look for a car that has not been fooled around with too much. A few small modifications are passable but nothing major.

I find it ironic that for so long everyone (Okay not everyone but most) are proud to announce that they have just purchased an all original car! Then as soon as they get it home they are so anxious to modify it. Wings, wheels, chrome do-dads, exhaust, engine mods, etc...

Do you see our cars as more valuable or less valuable after they have been modified?

In the collector car hobby most of us are only temporary custodians of our cars. We pay for the privilege to own and care for them during the time they are in our garage. Then they are sold and move on to someone else.

 

[Nsane1]

That's an excellent question. I wish there was a stat that said how many of which cars were actually stock, I would imagine vipers are way up there as far as percentage modified. I often say "I didn't think they made stock Vipers."

I think in the long run, the pure cars are worth more, as they will be exceedingly rare. So if you're the guy who sees himself selling in time I'd keep it stock.

However, what's the value to you of having a modified car now, vs ~10k extra in the future? (and heck you can always put it back to stock assuming you have or can get the parts).

Personally, I've always said screw it, and mod my cars in the first weeks of ownership, but keep the stock parts in case I do sell, but my plan is to be buried in my vipers, so who cares

 

[Free2go]

When I was shopping for a Viper, I looked long and hard for something that was as close to being modified to my taste as possible. I find anything stock deplorable. It is human nature to want more...and I wanted more before I had something.

 

[Fatboy 18]

I too was looking for a Viper with a few add on's, I don't ever plan on selling it so am turning it more and more into a replica GTSR

Thing is, I get invited to more and more car shows because the car looks like a GTSR

There will always be a buyer out there for a stock car, but that's not me

 

[Brass Monkey ACR E]

EPA will not let you be buried in a VIPER...lol...
Once you are gone you won't know what you are buried in
I believe in STOCK,looking back on MUSCLE CARS of he 60s/70s but do what you like

 

[FinalEd357]

As a buyer, I've always wanted non-modified Vipers. I can see why people do mod them, but I believe the most sought after will be the low-mile, stockers.. enjoy

 

[Paul Hawker]

Vipers are like Harleys...you gotta make them YOURS!

It usually does not make economic sense, but many people have their vision of the perfect Viper, and often that means making the changes that most appeal to its owner.

 

[MoparMap]

I think the trick (at least as far as resale value goes) is tasteful or subtle mods. Stuff like exhaust to change sound and a tune don't bother me much. Stereo upgrades can be hit or miss I found. Mine was "upgraded" when I bought it which drew me to it a little more from what I had read about the stock system. Needless to say I was not impressed and have since modded it back to "stock appearing" with different components. Suits my ear much better and looks nicer to me. My parents stock 03 really doesn't sound bad at all, so I'm not sure where all the bad reviews came from. Exterior appearance is the biggest one that holds me up. Looked at a red car with a single white stripe down the center the owner had painted on. Just didn't look right on a Viper and the cost to change it negated the price different in buying the car over a different one.

Big blingy wheels and chrome accents all over the place aren't really my style. I've found as I get older I like a little more reserved look. The matte chrome finish on the interior pieces has really grown on me and I've debated working it into my 67 Dart if I can find a way to do it.

That being said, there will always be a market for a stock car. Someone always wants the showroom museum piece. Others just want something they can drive. Keeping stock parts has always been my preferred way of handling things, though it eats up a lot of spare room sometimes.

 

[PDCjonny]

Always smart to keep the stock parts when you can, as a dealer will give you nada for them if you intend to trade the car in.
ANY mod is going to decrease the potential buyer pool some a lot worse than others.
The exhaust note has always been anemic on a stock car till the Gen V, that's almost a must.
My Gen 4 ACR's were embarrassing to startup. One mod that turns me off immediately is a radar detector.
Somebody has crawled through the car, disassembling stuff to run it and who knows how its hacked in.

 

[Fatboy 18]

Vipers are like Harleys...you gotta make them YOURS!

It usually does not make economic sense, but many people have their vision of the perfect Viper, and often that means making the changes that most appeal to its owner.

yes, agree with this, Harley really Got it, you buy a stock bike then they sell you the biggest aftermarket parts accessory catalogue available, now that, s great marketing.

 

[JonB]

As a Mod-vendor myself, this is REALLY ironic:

As an 'investment' you will lose less of your $$ on a bone-stock car.

I tend to prefer an exotic car in STOCK trim.....but non-exotics modded to hell!

"RESTO-MODS" do get a lot more respect in the collectible auction community that they ever have.

 

[Bonkers]

One of the reasons my modifications are all OEM based is simply
because I do not trust major alterations. Don't get me wrong, while
a HeffTT would have a loving home in my garage, its so hard to tell
if the upgrade was 1) done properly, 2) the rest of the car was
enhanced to deal with said mod, 2) and if the car well taken care of
afterwards.

I have less issues with a modified car that "could" be taken back to
stock then something from the FnF movies. Once you start going
balls deep on a car there is just too many variables to risk taking
chances on...

 

[MalingatorGTS]

I'm for the total mod it as you love it school. I bought a heavily modified GTS and look at it as; if I had all the money to build this car, would I do it like this? Chances are, you will have some changes to make it "your"car.

For the sale price, it would take twice the money to build the car as it cost to buy it.

There will be two schools of thought in this. I've never left any car stock..it's an addiction lol!

 

[Free2go]

For the sale price, it would take twice the money to build the car as it cost to buy it.

Well said. Damn well said...and only your sixth post.

 

[gb66gth]

My car is stock (expect for brake lines) because I just love it the way it is. I figure Dodge spent multi millions of dollars in the development of the car. What am I going to do with my thousands that will really make it that much better and still dead nuts reliable?
I mean, 600bhp and no electro-nannies, that's enough for me.

 

[Camfab]

Aftermarket parts are not going to have the same reliability as OEM tested parts. That's a fact, secondly modded cars are always a question mark because you never know what clown did the build. Today's super hero vendor usually turns in horror stories down the road. Anyone here long enough knows what I'm talking about. So originallity always wins, because the builder has a clean slate with known quantities or the collector gets what he wants. I modded mine with parts that came from a guy who works at Chrysler, that said I still feel OEM parts are superior.
My rule is to never change the OEM look. I've never pent money on wheels, part of the reason I had to have an ACR. I would never put a wing or any sort of non OEM body parts on anything I own. They ALWAYS go out of style and nearly always destroy the beauty of the original design.

 

[Camfab]

As a side note, the Viper is no different in buyer than any other car. Everyone wants an original car.

 

[Free2go]

Aftermarket parts are not going to have the same reliability as OEM tested parts.

So true. Especially when it comes to power steering brackets and pullies....

 

[Camfab]

On rare occasion a factory NON PERFORMANCE part may have issues. Though replacing a defective part has nothing to do with the point of this thread.

 

[Free2go]

Some OEM parts on our Vipers are clearly designed with obsolescence in mind. And EVERY part should be a performance part on a Viper. If a guy bought my car and decided to take off the StopTech big brake kit with 6 piston calipers in the front and four in the back to put on the OEM four piston in the front and zilch in the back...it would be his prerogative. The OEM brakes were perfect for picking up milk at the grocery store.

 

[Camfab]

You've hit the nail on one of the Gen II's weak points for sure. However as a general rule, when you have aftermarket parts on the car, there is always a question of long term reliability and availability of parts. I'm certainly not bagging on your brakes because they are a huge improvement, but I'm a skeptic, and if I was buying the car I'd be concerned about the install. Clearly I'm very anal, but it comes from years of issues on parts that were the greatest thing since sliced bread. Call it the school of hard knocks, I'd rather buy stock and make my own modding decisions. It's simple the number of OE cars is shrinking which will eventually drive up the price.

The funny thing is, if in my lifetime these things actually really skyrocket in value, guys will be looking for stock brakes and new unmolested rear knuckles with factory sponge bob brake lines. Just the way it goes...

 

[Camfab]

One other point with regards to brakes. A guy here with a blown Gen II with aftermarket steel braided brake lines had one fail. It caused a total loss of his car. I've never heard of this occurring with those crappy factory brake lines. The aftermarket brake lines never fit right. They are always missing a kink here or there and typically get caught up in the suspension. Again in general, aftermarket parts don't meet OEM specs or durability.

 

[Ghosteh]

Modified cars are always less desirable and harder to sell in the future. And, as a general rule, you'll never recover the expense of aftermarket mods.

People love to "personalize" their stuff, which is what Harley-Davidson counts on nowadays. Try and find a "stock" Harley out there.

Porsches are the same way. 20+ years ago, almost no one would leave their 1970s & '80s cars alone. Now sellers are finding out that unmodified cars & original equipment brings a HUGE premium and marketability. I just sold a very clean 930 with a few small mods (upgraded turbo, stainless exhaust & aftermarket radio) and did very well, but if it had been 100% original, I could have seen $10-15K+ more.

I agree with Mopar Steve; IF I ever change anything on my car, it will be reversible and I'll be storing the original factory part.

 

[Nine Ball]

In the collector car hobby most of us are only temporary custodians of our cars. We pay for the privilege to own and care for them during the time they are in our garage. Then they are sold and move on to someone else.

Wrong. When I buy a car, I buy it for myself. I race it, modify it, do whatever I want with my car. I couldn't care less what the next owner(s) do with my used car, once they own it. Life is too short to worry about preserving your expensive purchase for the next guy, buying it at a discount.

 

[MalingatorGTS]

Wrong. When I buy a car, I buy it for myself. I race it, modify it, do whatever I want with my car. I couldn't care less what the next owner(s) do with my used car, once they own it. Life is too short to worry about preserving your expensive purchase for the next guy, buying it at a discount.

1000000% AGREE!!! Unless it's a VERY limited production, one off, low production number car and you are buying it as an "investment", enjoy the car. If you like them stock, keep it that way. If want to mod the snot out of it, it's your car. Every custom car I ever built and owned I did for me. Sometimes it was a big help when selling, sometimes, it just took a while longer to find the "right" buyer. Did I ever get my money out...nope! I got the pleasure out of building it, owning it and DRIVING the car. Sometimes like I stole it, sometimes just on a nice sunny day for a nice cruise., that said, making a car "mine" or "my way" is what for me is one of the greatest pleasures in owning a car.....and then...drive it like you
stole it!!! LOL!

 

[Free2go]

Wrong. When I buy a car, I buy it for myself. I race it, modify it, do whatever I want with my car. I couldn't care less what the next owner(s) do with my used car, once they own it. Life is too short to worry about preserving your expensive purchase for the next guy, buying it at a discount.

Words of wisdom.....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxoMqs7iGqk