Keeping the value or increasing the value of our cars?
Discussion
I am just interested about keeping the value or increasing the value of our pride and joys.
I know if we look after the cars and have them regularly maintained such as regular service then they will keep their value dependent in some respects the mileage completed, age etc. But what about add ons, such as clear rear lights, sports packs and also N400 sills?
I know these items added to a car would increase the saleability of the car and would make it more desirable, but if you take the cost of adding these items to your car against the increase value it might generate is it worth it?
If you are prepared to spend that amount of money increasing the looks and handling of the car for your own pleasure, would this not also increase the value of your car too, maybe not to the value of the initial outlay of the add ons, but would it not increase the value of the initial cost of the car when you first purchased it?
I know if we look after the cars and have them regularly maintained such as regular service then they will keep their value dependent in some respects the mileage completed, age etc. But what about add ons, such as clear rear lights, sports packs and also N400 sills?
I know these items added to a car would increase the saleability of the car and would make it more desirable, but if you take the cost of adding these items to your car against the increase value it might generate is it worth it?
If you are prepared to spend that amount of money increasing the looks and handling of the car for your own pleasure, would this not also increase the value of your car too, maybe not to the value of the initial outlay of the add ons, but would it not increase the value of the initial cost of the car when you first purchased it?
Simply, No for modern Astons
I think if you modify your car you do it for your own pleasure but you should also be aware that you may be reducing the pool of those who are prepared to buy a modified car. Not stuff like clear lens but BR modifications. That's why you see people doing mods that can be reversed when it comes to sale time.
As a ph'er I would have few concerns about stuff done at BR but there are many who would not have heard of them and I am sure dealers would use it as a reason to price the car down if you went that route.
I think if you modify your car you do it for your own pleasure but you should also be aware that you may be reducing the pool of those who are prepared to buy a modified car. Not stuff like clear lens but BR modifications. That's why you see people doing mods that can be reversed when it comes to sale time.
As a ph'er I would have few concerns about stuff done at BR but there are many who would not have heard of them and I am sure dealers would use it as a reason to price the car down if you went that route.
peterr96 said:
Erm... No it won't!
Very few cars are investments even with man maths applied. At our level I suspect no cars of any sort are investments.
Depends what you mean by 'level', pre '73 Porsches have made strong investments over the last 10 years. Early BMWs also have faired well, VW splitscreen camper vans have gone crazy over the last 15 years or so.Very few cars are investments even with man maths applied. At our level I suspect no cars of any sort are investments.
There are still 'investments' to be made, however as with all investments, theres risk involved.
As for the original question, I am not sure there are many modifications that will add significant value, possibly add to saleability, possibly the opposite, depends on taste I imagine, and I cant think of ANY modifications that will retain the value they cost for modern cars.
gibbon said:
Depends what you mean by 'level', pre '73 Porsches have made strong investments over the last 10 years. Early BMWs also have faired well, VW splitscreen camper vans have gone crazy over the last 15 years or so.
Caveat. I'm shooting from the hip here. I have no proof.However I suspect that the total cost of ownership of all the above (costs to refurbish, and maintain) still make these questionable investments. Do they REALLY make you money in the long run (which is what I would expect an investment to do). I accept that they lose you far less than a heavily depreciating Gaydon era Aston, but make money?? really?
The modern cars have been built in too great a volume for them to be appreciating assets in the foreseeable future, whatever improvements you may make. DB9 prices are starting to nudge under £30K and I imagine they will only keep falling.
I6 DB7s can be had for under £15K and you'll get a decent V12 for £20K. I'd wager in a few winters time you'll be able to get a perfectly roadworthy Aston Martin (and not a Cygnet!!) for a 4 figure sum.
I6 DB7s can be had for under £15K and you'll get a decent V12 for £20K. I'd wager in a few winters time you'll be able to get a perfectly roadworthy Aston Martin (and not a Cygnet!!) for a 4 figure sum.
Ah I wish they'd go storming up into the clouds but in reality it won't happen. I have spent quite a bit of things to maintain the paint and bought a karcher under car cleaner to clean all the road salt away but its a modern car.... I don't foresee my vantage turning profit for 20 years by which time it'll probably be long gone and fuel £10 a litre 
peterr96 said:
Caveat. I'm shooting from the hip here. I have no proof.
However I suspect that the total cost of ownership of all the above (costs to refurbish, and maintain) still make these questionable investments. Do they REALLY make you money in the long run (which is what I would expect an investment to do). I accept that they lose you far less than a heavily depreciating Gaydon era Aston, but make money?? really?
Well, I would say if you bought a very clean early 70s 911 E or S 5 years ago, looked after it and drive a couple of thousand miles on sunny days and weekend then yes, you would have made clean profit. Obviously every case is unique and the risk is in the unknown variables.However I suspect that the total cost of ownership of all the above (costs to refurbish, and maintain) still make these questionable investments. Do they REALLY make you money in the long run (which is what I would expect an investment to do). I accept that they lose you far less than a heavily depreciating Gaydon era Aston, but make money?? really?
I made money overall on my lowly 1967 912.
bomberh said:
I am just interested about keeping the value or increasing the value of our pride and joys.
I know if we look after the cars and have them regularly maintained such as regular service then they will keep their value dependent in some respects the mileage completed, age etc. But what about add ons, such as clear rear lights, sports packs and also N400 sills?
I know these items added to a car would increase the saleability of the car and would make it more desirable, but if you take the cost of adding these items to your car against the increase value it might generate is it worth it?
If you are prepared to spend that amount of money increasing the looks and handling of the car for your own pleasure, would this not also increase the value of your car too, maybe not to the value of the initial outlay of the add ons, but would it not increase the value of the initial cost of the car when you first purchased it?
Fit stuff you like, then when it comes to selling, return it to stock and flog the bits on flea bay. Investment??? Nah. I know if we look after the cars and have them regularly maintained such as regular service then they will keep their value dependent in some respects the mileage completed, age etc. But what about add ons, such as clear rear lights, sports packs and also N400 sills?
I know these items added to a car would increase the saleability of the car and would make it more desirable, but if you take the cost of adding these items to your car against the increase value it might generate is it worth it?
If you are prepared to spend that amount of money increasing the looks and handling of the car for your own pleasure, would this not also increase the value of your car too, maybe not to the value of the initial outlay of the add ons, but would it not increase the value of the initial cost of the car when you first purchased it?
P.S this contradicts everything written in the instructions for my man maths calculator.
burntout said:
I think that maybe 50 years down the line if kept pristine they could be worth a bit??????
yes...its like kids toys from the 60's and 70's though...you need to be given the toy youve always wanted but not play with it. Put it in the box and keep it in the loft to look at from time to time. When you are too old and unfit as to care, it might be worth somethingbut wheres the fun in that ?
buy it, use it, have fun, thrash it, trackday it, go on holiday in it .....
yes, you suffer massive depreciation ...but at the least the pence per gets smaller if you put 100k miles on it over 10 years
very few cars are "investments" and I think the best you can do with modifications is make it more saleable, should the buyer want the mods you have done.
To re-coup the maximum at re-sale, you would put it back to standard and sell the fancy bits you put on it....
burntout said:
I think that maybe 50 years down the line if kept pristine they could be worth a bit??????
bogie said:
yes...its like kids toys from the 60's and 70's though...
Does anyone else like keeping their cars?My first kids toy - 1964 Mini Cooper. A few races, class record holder in a speed hillclimb, but still has smart original paintwork.
On the face of it an 'investment', £360 to £10,000, but not if you factor for inflation, or if you never sell.
My pristine 4·7 has lost (not me) half its value, and in three years time will have lost another half.
Who cares though. I consider that we are lucky, proud and privileged, to be the owners of such beautiful machines.
Edited by Jon39 on Tuesday 9th April 11:40
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