Modify/or leave it alone ?

[Tom Larkins]

Alright, new owner hear has a few questions. I've done the homework on the the mods i'd like to do, if any. I bought a 96t blk/tan with less than 27k on it, and the original owner took great care with the car, I mean this thing looks new. My first choice was to get a 97 with more HP but I had a limit on what I was wanting to spend on my 1st NSX. My ? is.. Is the market better for an stock NSX or is their really no difference as long as it has a good history and/or low miles. I don't expect to profit at all with this car. I have always wanted one and don't care, but my intent is to upgrade in a couple of years to a 2nd generation model if Acura delivers on what i expect, and I don't want to drop $10k on mods, especially when its a 96 (greater weight)than 91-94 and may be considered a less desireable. For you guys that know more about these than I do, your feedback is always welcome as I have learned much from the FAQ & forum.

 

[nsxtasy]

As a general rule, a modified car is more difficult to sell than a stock car. The reason for that is that there are many people who will only consider a stock car and will not even look at a modified people. The more significant the mods, the more the number of potential buyers is reduced. However, that doesn't mean that a modified car is unsellable; it simply means that you may need to be a bit luckier in finding someone who is willing to buy a modded car or, even better, one who wants one with exactly the mods you have made. Or, it may mean that you have to sell the car for less than you would if it didn't have those mods.

Regarding the market value of a modded car, there are many, many mods that will not raise the market value of the car at all. Spend $1,000 on a mod and the market value doesn't go up (and could even go down due to the smaller number of buyers). There are some mods that WILL increase the market value of the car. I consider any of the major supercharger kits in this category. An NSX with a Comptech or BaschBoost or GruppeM supercharger is worth more than one without one. However, it is not on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Spend $10K on a Comptech supercharger and it may increase the car's market value by $5K. (You can remove it and sell it separately, but again, you won't get the original purchase price back.)

My recommendation is this. Get the mods if they're worth it if you weren't going to make or lose anything on them when it comes time to sell. For example, if an aftermarket exhaust costs $1500, get it if the enjoyment of the exhaust while you own the car is worth $1500 to you. If you're worried about how much money you're going to get back from your "investment" in a mod, you probably shouldn't get it. If you don't care about how much you'll ever get back and you still want the mod, then get it.

I also would strongly recommend not committing to any mods until you drive the car for the first month or two. After doing so, you may find that you don't need to modify it at all - or that you have different priorities for which mods to make after owning it than you were guessing at beforehand.

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 22 May 2002).]

 

[RyRy210]

Well, I can tell you that I wanted an NSX that was bone stock when I was looking for one. However, after owning it I did install some headers, springs, and shocks. My rationale for modding was simple. Whatever honda changed througout the years was a part that I would potentially replace. Being the 1st year for the T, the springs rates and shocks was weaker than the previous and newer models. That was the 1st to go. I replaced it with eibachs and bilsteins. Then learned that the '97+ NSXs came with factory stainless steel headers. I replaced my cast iron exhaust manifolds with the comptech header. I'm completely satisfied with what I've done to my car, and I don't expect my car to increase in value either. I would obviously steer away from mods that are permanent like some body kits. All my mods are completely reversible. If I do sell my car, which I don't think I will, I will definitely return it back to stock and sell it in stock form. I would then sell my performance parts individually.

 

[Tom Larkins]

Thanks, words of wisdom. I will wait a couple of months and see if my desires change with drive time. I guess what i'm looking for (market preception)can't be factored when adding mods to the car do to the the varied pricing on the open market.

 

[Michigan NSX]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
As a general rule...there are many people who will only consider a stock car and will not even look at a modified people...

I like looking at modified people!

------------------
'91 Black/Black

 

[Tom Larkins]

plastic surgery can't fix the flaws, maybe a new exhaust can ?

 

[NetViper]

Originally posted by RyRy210:
Then learned that the '97+ NSXs came with factory stainless steel headers. I replaced my cast iron exhaust manifolds with the comptech header.

Do you think doing the header alone is worth the cost? Do you feel the difference in power? It seems like swapping the header ads the most power and I would probably like to do that down the road when I pick up the car.

 

[CDub]

Do you think doing the header alone is worth
the cost?

Yes

Do you feel the difference in power?

Yes, and the only thing out of I/E/H

The best performance mod I've done other than forced induction
Wheels are the best mod for looks.

 

[Tom Larkins]

What forced induction system did you use ? and was it done before the exhaust ?

 

[RyRy210]

Originally posted by NetViper:
Do you think doing the header alone is worth the cost? Do you feel the difference in power? It seems like swapping the header ads the most power and I would probably like to do that down the road when I pick up the car.

I did feel a difference in power. The car picks up faster and does not "run out of breath" like it used to. The car also feels smoother as well. No regrets so far.


------------------
NA1 NSX-T
- Comptech Headers
- NA2 Brake Upgrade
- Eibach Springs
- Bilstein Shocks
- Zanardi F&R Sway Bar
- '02 OEM Wheels

 

[docjohn]

I like Ken's stand on this issue,and it has been the same down through the years.Mod the car for you,the money you spend is buying enjoyment.And the only way to know if a mod is better is to live with it stock for a while,to compare.In a way ,if you have to worry about the cost alot,hold off.wait till the demons keep you up at night and torment your every waking hour.