what does tracking a car do to resale
Discussion
I don’t think tracking a car will necessarily increase depreciation. It all depends on whether you can show that you looked after your car. I track mine but have receipts of just under £20K showing when and what’s been done to it thus showing any prospective buyer thats its always been well looked after. 
5 laps of the Ring didn't hurt my Civic when I came to sell it, the high mileage did though!bordseye said:
MrFlibbles said:
As long as you maintain it properly, how is the buyer going to know you've tracked it?
because if he asks I will give an honest answer. wouldnt you?In my mind, the kind of person who'd ask if its been tracked, is also the kind of person to be switched on enough to realise if its been maintained properly its a non issue.
bordseye said:
MrFlibbles said:
As long as you maintain it properly, how is the buyer going to know you've tracked it?
because if he asks I will give an honest answer. wouldnt you?Besides, how the hell would anyone know if the car looks standard. I'm pretty clued up and do a few days myself. But would be hard pressed to tell if a standard looking car had been tracked or not. I'd view like any other vehicle, if the tyres where shot and the suspension/brakes where hanging I'd pass on it regardless.
bordseye said:
MrFlibbles said:
As long as you maintain it properly, how is the buyer going to know you've tracked it?
because if he asks I will give an honest answer. wouldnt you?
well said. I think it's a bit worrying that several people on this thread think it is ok to tell a pack of lies when selling a car! Having said that lots of people cover up number plates on track days so it seems there are plenty of others out there who are also economic with the truth. Buyers beware!! IMHO a car that has been tracked will be worth less than a non tracked car that's why people are prepared to lie about it's use. Edited by silv on Monday 14th July 15:13
Edited by silv on Monday 14th July 15:16
Yeah, those Radicals that've not been on track are worth much more
It doesn't affect value at all as long as you've done the maintainable required. I'd argue that most tracked cars get more oil changes and checkovers than non tracked cars, and that track driving itself isn't always harder on the car than road driving (smooth surface verses really bumpy surface).
It doesn't affect value at all as long as you've done the maintainable required. I'd argue that most tracked cars get more oil changes and checkovers than non tracked cars, and that track driving itself isn't always harder on the car than road driving (smooth surface verses really bumpy surface).
silv said:
bordseye said:
MrFlibbles said:
As long as you maintain it properly, how is the buyer going to know you've tracked it?
because if he asks I will give an honest answer. wouldnt you? well said. I think it's a bit worrying that several people on this thread think it is ok to tell a pack of lies when selling a car! Having said that lots of people cover up number plates on track days so it seems there are plenty of others out there who are also economic with the truth. Buyers beware!! IMHO a car that has been tracked will be worth less than a non tracked car that's why people are prepared to lie about it's use. Edited by silv on Monday 14th July 15:13
Edited by silv on Monday 14th July 15:16
There's a lot worse out there for sale than a car that's done a few laps of a race circuit.
Nathan & Chris, yep I don't disagree with some of your comments. But I think you would agree that five track days are probably harder on brakes suspension transmission etc etc than a whole year of ordinary motoring. IMO it's only fair to tell a potential buyer what the car has been used for.
Edited by silv on Monday 14th July 16:04
Normally if a car is tracked regularly, it tends to be in a very good condition and often upgraded, especially in respect suspention and brakes. I actually would prefer to buy such a car. Obviously most usual drivers would not, so you often see "never tracked" - how sad to see it when it's a proper sports car. The downside I would say would be the wear of the engine in spite of frequent oil changes (unless it's a rebuilt one).
silv said:
Nathan & Chris, yep I don't disagree with some of your comments. But I think you would agree that five track days are probably harder on brakes suspension transmission etc etc than a whole year of ordinary motoring. IMO it's only fair to tell a potential buyer what the car has been used for.
Fair enough, but if you can afford to do 5 track days then you can aford to keep the running gear in good order. Edited by silv on Monday 14th July 16:04
chrisr29 said:
bordseye said:
MrFlibbles said:
As long as you maintain it properly, how is the buyer going to know you've tracked it?
because if he asks I will give an honest answer. wouldnt you?Besides, how the hell would anyone know if the car looks standard. I'm pretty clued up and do a few days myself. But would be hard pressed to tell if a standard looking car had been tracked or not. I'd view like any other vehicle, if the tyres where shot and the suspension/brakes where hanging I'd pass on it regardless.
Melted rubber stuck to the underside of the car or around the inside of the wheel arches on the driven wheels
Gravel rash on the underside of the car or inside the wheels
Pockets of gravel stuck in corners where the owner forgot to clean it out
Blue spots on the brake discs
A standard car with a set of high end or race brake pads
A service history that reveals double the reccomended oil changes
Sweat marks on the steering wheel and seat
The smell of oil and clutch when you lift the bonnet...it hangs around a suprising length of time
The clues are not always THAT easy to spot but they are there. I agree with most people though that a car thats done a few trackdays and maintained properly is not really going to be any worse off than something that has been flogged on the road and not given any extra maintenance.
deviant said:
chrisr29 said:
bordseye said:
MrFlibbles said:
As long as you maintain it properly, how is the buyer going to know you've tracked it?
because if he asks I will give an honest answer. wouldnt you?Besides, how the hell would anyone know if the car looks standard. I'm pretty clued up and do a few days myself. But would be hard pressed to tell if a standard looking car had been tracked or not. I'd view like any other vehicle, if the tyres where shot and the suspension/brakes where hanging I'd pass on it regardless.
Melted rubber stuck to the underside of the car or around the inside of the wheel arches on the driven wheels
Gravel rash on the underside of the car or inside the wheels
Pockets of gravel stuck in corners where the owner forgot to clean it out
Blue spots on the brake discs
A standard car with a set of high end or race brake pads
A service history that reveals double the reccomended oil changes
Sweat marks on the steering wheel and seat
The smell of oil and clutch when you lift the bonnet...it hangs around a suprising length of time
The clues are not always THAT easy to spot but they are there. I agree with most people though that a car thats done a few trackdays and maintained properly is not really going to be any worse off than something that has been flogged on the road and not given any extra maintenance.
My last car sold for a pitence because it had 170k on the clock, all genuine miles because I did all but 12 of them.
Because it's being tracked doesn't mean it's being thrashed. If your a hammerhead at the wheel then tracked or not the car is probably going to be a heap. As the other posters have eluded with their maintenance schedules, mine gets more regular oil changes and gets warmed up and cooled down properly. Brakes are bled regularly and suspension points, parts checked often. Track time is 20 minute sessions. Personally, if your car is depreciating and it's track orientated get it on the track and enjoy it. Forget the depreciation, too many people get strung out about depreciation, just drive it and enjoy it while you can.
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