To Modify or not?

[nickd01]

Well, having owned the Chimaera for a few months now thoughts are turning to what I can tweak on her. A nice set of alloys and a bigger set of brakes were my first idea; along with some ACT bits and Mark Adams chipwork under the bonnet.

But, then I wondered about resale as I think I'll want a Tuscan in 18 months or so. Does a standard Chim sell easier than one that has been tweaked and modified? If I did alter the appearance (i.e alloys) then that must elminate some potential buyers? Maybe leaving her alone would make selling easier in the future? Or, does it appeal to buyers having some of the more standard tweaks already done?

Any opinions or thoughts?

[mongoose]

If you know your going to buy a Tuscan in 18 months,then i wouldn't spend the money on modifying the Chim.Put it towards the Tuscan.

[john57]

I think mods that make the car drive better are - to an informed buyer at least - potentially a positive point so long as they are well known and respected modifications such as Mark Adams chips / tuning, ACT stuff, Modwise, Avo, Nitrons, brake uprades, etc. I personally would steer clear of something that altered the look of the car such as alloys - but thats a personal thing .....

[Podie]

I've always taken the approach that if something needs replacing, then change it for something better...

So when brakes need doing, go for better disks and pads... if dampers go, then put on adjustables.

You never see the money back in the real world, but in my experience it makes a car easier to sell.

(S series sold in less than an hour of the ad going up, and the Chimaera ad didn't even go up!)

[lordgrover]

My primary concern would be whether it affects the insurance.

[lockhart flawse]

I agree; why spend money your going to sell in a short time?

I should leave it alone. You'll get used to any more performance you extract just as quickly as you got used to the performance of the standard car.

L.F.

[Nuggs]

TBH I don't think that mods will affect resale on a Tiv as much as with another car.

I think the majority of TVR-buyers do have a bit of pre-knowledge and may actually look out for ACT bits and pieces and some MA sorcery.

If you want to go faster for just a few months and have the best Chim you can, then spend the cash. Otherwise save for the Tusc. That's the decision; I really don't think resale value comes into the equation here.

[snorky]

Wheels only affect the resale if you get rid of the original ones and can't offer then as well....

[colinrob]

You won't get your money back on any mods but will probably find it easier to sell, save your money for the Tuscan you'll need it

[s5tvr]

IMHO, Podie is spot on - when you need to replace parts, upgrade them as it's not too difficult to do compared to the standard factory replacement parts. In general I would say if you want to go faster, buy a faster car. However, I put the ACT induction kit on my Chim 500 and had the Tornado chip fitted as part of a Mark Adams re-map and it has completely transformed the car - More BHP and more torque and much smoother to drive. IMO, the induction kit and the re-map don't constitute a "Mod" (my insurance company see it this way also) but represent an upgrade using better parts. The MA tornado chip and re-map doesn't increase the power or torque above the factory figures (which is way my insurance company are not bothered by it), it just puts back part of what is being lost through avoidable inefficieny.

[GreenV8S]

Modify? Sacrilege! Keep it standard man!

[Red V8]

Whatever you do don't fiddle with the bodywork (If you want a Tuscan front end, wait until you buy a Tuscan), and don't paint it a ridiculous colour.

[Fire99]

I think the word 'restraint' should be used in this situation.
To be honest,unless you are a genius, you'd never modify your car expecting to recoup the money spent when you sell the car..
A TVR is a bit more specialised than your average car and as such 'Tasteful' modifications don't tend to detract from the value and, in Podie's case, no doubt help sell the car quicker..
If you replace brake disks, Shocks, Induction kit etc with good upgraded items (when they need replacing) your car should be just that big more appealing when it comes to selling plus the car should be nicer to drive in the meantime..
Even Alloys, if they suit the car shouldn't have a negetive affect so long as you keep the originals...(as some do actually prefer the originals)

However i do believe things like headlight conversions and aluminium dash conversions etc (and of course any bolt on plastic parts) are much more subjective to the individual and likely to reduce the number of people interested in your car..

However, just to throw a swerve ball, if you dont care about residual values of your car, then do whatever you like.. Its your car and its personal to you.. If you like big wings and viper (or shelby) stripes then great, but dont expect to get much approval on forums like these or when it comes to selling it on. (not in a harsh way but you know what i mean)

[yellow5]

question for s5tvr, which induction kit did you use from ACT on your 500 and what performance differences did you get.