Factory Spec or Customised - which will sell more easily ?
Discussion
As per the thread title :-
Factory Specification
Tried and tested ?
Not very "individual" ?
Easier for the novice builder ?
Full support available from factory ?
Car more "saleable" second-hand as it is a "known quantity" ?
Car less "saleable" second-hand as it is a bit plain ?
Customised
Only the original builder knows how it is put together ?
Suits the original builder (may not suit subsequent owners) ?
Might be beyond the skills of a novice builder ?
Factory support may be less ?
Car more "saleable" second-hand as it is individual ?
Car less "saleable" second-hand as it might be harder to sort problems ?
DISCUSS !!!
Regards
Factory Specification
Tried and tested ?
Not very "individual" ?
Easier for the novice builder ?
Full support available from factory ?
Car more "saleable" second-hand as it is a "known quantity" ?
Car less "saleable" second-hand as it is a bit plain ?
Customised
Only the original builder knows how it is put together ?
Suits the original builder (may not suit subsequent owners) ?
Might be beyond the skills of a novice builder ?
Factory support may be less ?
Car more "saleable" second-hand as it is individual ?
Car less "saleable" second-hand as it might be harder to sort problems ?
DISCUSS !!!
Regards
I reckon the only real difference here would be wheather it's a factory Build or not.
Anything else will be different, I'll bet there are no two private build ultimas that are the same anywhere (unless the same guy builds more than one) I've seen good and bad home builds, factory builds seem harder to come by.
that's my two p's worth.
Anything else will be different, I'll bet there are no two private build ultimas that are the same anywhere (unless the same guy builds more than one) I've seen good and bad home builds, factory builds seem harder to come by.
that's my two p's worth.
weve done this before and it got rather heated....
neither camp will agree, there is no correct way imo its what suits the builder, this is my view ...
if you are wanting a quick fairly uncomplicated build go option 1. If you want something thats a little different go with option 2 but expect some blood sweat and tears. I dont build/own a car i want and worry too much about secondhand values etc, its more important to me how it goes and stops.
neither camp will agree, there is no correct way imo its what suits the builder, this is my view ...
if you are wanting a quick fairly uncomplicated build go option 1. If you want something thats a little different go with option 2 but expect some blood sweat and tears. I dont build/own a car i want and worry too much about secondhand values etc, its more important to me how it goes and stops.
Edited by Gulf LS3 on Wednesday 3rd February 09:41
Can of worms 
It totally depends on the buyer. The bloke who bought my GTR was VERY keen that it was factory 'approved' (event though it wasn't to factory spec. as such), the buyer of my Can-Am liked the car for what it was and was keen to make it his own with further mods.
Horses for courses really - but there is a degree of 'peace of mind' for those new to Ultimas where 'factory' spec cars are concerned.
It totally depends on the buyer. The bloke who bought my GTR was VERY keen that it was factory 'approved' (event though it wasn't to factory spec. as such), the buyer of my Can-Am liked the car for what it was and was keen to make it his own with further mods.
Horses for courses really - but there is a degree of 'peace of mind' for those new to Ultimas where 'factory' spec cars are concerned.
gtr-gaz said:
Gulf LS3 said:
weve done this before and it got rather heated....
Indeed it did! Lucky P nearly had a coronary 
FWIW, factory spec will always sell easier. Hope that helps!
I'd say the more standard it is the easier it would be to tell a prospective owner that maintainance is a doddle.
As said, any home built car will have differences.
The trick is to build what you want but not go to extreme.
There was a car with a really wild cream leather interior. The workmanship was superb but I, and a few others, hated it so quality of build alone is not enough.
I would put engine choice as the most difficult variation. Whilst an Audi, BMW or whatever other engine may in itself be a good engine and may be very well suited to the job if the Factory say to a buyer that they cannot support it then the buyer may believe that nobody can.
Be different but with reservation.
Steve
The trick is to build what you want but not go to extreme.
There was a car with a really wild cream leather interior. The workmanship was superb but I, and a few others, hated it so quality of build alone is not enough.
I would put engine choice as the most difficult variation. Whilst an Audi, BMW or whatever other engine may in itself be a good engine and may be very well suited to the job if the Factory say to a buyer that they cannot support it then the buyer may believe that nobody can.
Be different but with reservation.
Steve
In relation to the title of this thread I think a Complete Factory Spec car will sell more easily.
I brought an average GTR that was on it's second type of engine (was first a twin turbo V6, then a older V8) and have now ended up spending easily over 20K getting it to what I want on top of the purchase price (AP brakes, new suspension, new LS2 engine, wiring etc etc..).
In hindsight I should have spent circa 50K on a sorted second hand one but hey ho...
I brought an average GTR that was on it's second type of engine (was first a twin turbo V6, then a older V8) and have now ended up spending easily over 20K getting it to what I want on top of the purchase price (AP brakes, new suspension, new LS2 engine, wiring etc etc..).
In hindsight I should have spent circa 50K on a sorted second hand one but hey ho...
I agree with you Steve to a certain extent but.....
these cars are relatively simple why would anyone need factory support after build?? I respect the factory but most engineers/respectable mechanics can look after any Ultima.
Build what you want and be different imo, i love what SSS does but his cars would not get factory support but does that make one of his cars worth less, no way imo!!!
There is no right or wrong way to build or modify and we all see things differently thats the beauty of ownership.
these cars are relatively simple why would anyone need factory support after build?? I respect the factory but most engineers/respectable mechanics can look after any Ultima.
Build what you want and be different imo, i love what SSS does but his cars would not get factory support but does that make one of his cars worth less, no way imo!!!
There is no right or wrong way to build or modify and we all see things differently thats the beauty of ownership.
Gulf LS3 said:
I agree with you Steve to a certain extent but.....
these cars are relatively simple why would anyone need factory support after build?? I respect the factory but most engineers/respectable mechanics can look after any Ultima..........
You and I know they are a basically simple car and so do those who build them.these cars are relatively simple why would anyone need factory support after build?? I respect the factory but most engineers/respectable mechanics can look after any Ultima..........
The thing to understand is the difference between those who build (or have a car built) and those who want to own. Those who wish to own may have no interest in how it works or maintaining it so will rely on someone servicing it for them.
The problem arises when a car is to be sold on to an 'owner'. They see a car advertised and will contact the Factory for guidance or to see if the Factory know the vehicle. If it has an Audi engine or a wizzbang sequential 'box the Factory will say they are not familiar with that configuration and will not be in a position to support the new owner. As they are not mechanical they will assume that nobody else will be able to service the car for them.
This has happened and been reported here by forum members who have lost a sale.
Steve
Depends how customised you mean, I cant remember seeing any 2 cars exctaly the same even tho plenty fit the 'factor spec' criteria.
there are quite a few people buying cars who dont do any work themselves and thus factory support is important.
For these people buying a car not supported by the factory pretty much means they wont consider it... of cause now we have respected specialists (steve D etc) who will work on cars that the factory wont so this may change.
You need to know EXACTLY what you are doing before you stray from factory spec IF your considering resale value when your building your car... As an example, the next owner fitted the factory std wheels about 6 mths after he bought it which ruined the car as the wheels were so much heavier than the ones I had fitted... the difference in the way the car drove was shocking and he had to spend a lot of money having the car worked on by a specialist (SS) before it drove even half as well as it did with the old wheels.... but NOT having factory wheels was a definate negative when i was selling the car.
there are quite a few people buying cars who dont do any work themselves and thus factory support is important.
For these people buying a car not supported by the factory pretty much means they wont consider it... of cause now we have respected specialists (steve D etc) who will work on cars that the factory wont so this may change.
You need to know EXACTLY what you are doing before you stray from factory spec IF your considering resale value when your building your car... As an example, the next owner fitted the factory std wheels about 6 mths after he bought it which ruined the car as the wheels were so much heavier than the ones I had fitted... the difference in the way the car drove was shocking and he had to spend a lot of money having the car worked on by a specialist (SS) before it drove even half as well as it did with the old wheels.... but NOT having factory wheels was a definate negative when i was selling the car.
Edited by andygtt on Thursday 4th February 11:51
Steve_D said:
Gulf LS3 said:
I agree with you Steve to a certain extent but.....
these cars are relatively simple why would anyone need factory support after build?? I respect the factory but most engineers/respectable mechanics can look after any Ultima..........
You and I know they are a basically simple car and so do those who build them.these cars are relatively simple why would anyone need factory support after build?? I respect the factory but most engineers/respectable mechanics can look after any Ultima..........
The thing to understand is the difference between those who build (or have a car built) and those who want to own. Those who wish to own may have no interest in how it works or maintaining it so will rely on someone servicing it for them.
The problem arises when a car is to be sold on to an 'owner'. They see a car advertised and will contact the Factory for guidance or to see if the Factory know the vehicle. If it has an Audi engine or a wizzbang sequential 'box the Factory will say they are not familiar with that configuration and will not be in a position to support the new owner. As they are not mechanical they will assume that nobody else will be able to service the car for them.
This has happened and been reported here by forum members who have lost a sale.
Steve
For instance, having come from a Caterham R500 - i was more than happy to buy a built car - and also could appreciate the hard and meticulous work of the builder (thanks Frank!)
Because of coming from a "kit car" background - although like the GTR the R500 is hardly a "kit car" is the sense of the word....buying a car from an self-built owner was actually an ATTRACTION to the sale!
Factory built/maintained Caterham's are generally not as well looked after as self build or modified ones...i.e. not warmed up properly, no regular oil changes apart from services etc. etc.
Depends on the car but equally depends on the buyer - I have a feeling someone coming from a ferrari/porsche/lambo background etc. etc. would have a very different point of view to me...
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