The consensus is pretty clear – car modifications will most likely hurt your chances of getting a top dollar price for your car. Crazy vehicle mods might look awesome and funny vehicle mods might be entertaining, but the chances of someone else wanting 20-inch spinning rims and limo tint on the windows of a late 1990s Honda Civic hatchback are slim to none.

Cool Auto Mods Mean Much To The Enthusiast, But Not To The Buyer

The bottom-line is that your penchant for after-market mufflers and limo-tint will most likely trim hundreds or thousands (depending on how deep you go with your crazy car mods) from your re-sale value. The reason is very simple – what you consider a cool vehicle modification, most others probably consider lame.

Maybe like this one: 

cool-car-modifications

You Can Still Do Those Crazy Car Modifications, Just Take Precautions

The key to car modifications is to make sure you preserve the aesthetic and structural integrity of the vehicle. In other words, don’t do anything you can’t undo. Oh, and keep those factory-standard parts around for when you do decide to sell your car.

There are, however, vehicle mods that can potentially enhance the value of your car. Those car modifications are naturally more practical additions to your vehicle, rather than performance enhancers or purely aesthetic mods.

According to Bankrate.com’s 2009 Spring Car Guide, there are a handful of car modifications that can actually act to increase the re-sale value of your car, including:

• Rims of high quality and appropriate size
• Navigation systems.
• Electronics, like DVD players, flat-panel screens, satellite radio and high-quality sound systems.
• Tastefully applied leather seats or leather interiors.
• Properly installed and functional sunroofs and/or moon roofs.
• Bed-liners for pick-ups, fascias, grilles, step-bars, running boards, brush-guards, fog lights, taillight treatments and legal window tinting.

Now, Let’s Talk About Those Crazy Car Modifications That Might Ensure You Never Sell Your Car

You’ve all seen those cars – enormous spoilers; grotesque paint jobs; mufflers you can hear from mile away. Those crazy and sometimes funny car mods are great, but are generally disastrous for the resale value of the car. Again, from Bankrate.com’s 2009 Spring Car Guide, here are some vehicle modifications you avoid if you even want to get a decent offer should you choose to sell:

• Enormous rims; spinners; or any other absurd wheel choices
• Overpowered stereos
• Aftermarket superchargers or turbochargers that boost engine performance to achieve high-speeds. This implies the car was driven quite hard/carelessly.
• Loud exhaust systems.
• Lowered suspensions – especially for late-model vehicles because it often voids the manufacturer’s warranty.
• Low quality or vibrant-colored leather/vinyl/cloth interiors.
• Repainting the car in an unusual, non-factory color or a “mystic” finish – limits vehicle’s appeal, creates problems matching paint color, etc.
• Poorly-installed sunroofs/moon roofs.
• Illegal window-tinting.

Cool Car Modifications Aren’t All Bad, But Be Careful About Going Too Far

The trick is doing your car modifications with an eye towards the future and to proceed with caution. Funny car modifications or crazy vehicle mods are cool (like this list of most ridiculous car mods I’ve ever seen), but not cool to your finances when it’s time to sell.

The good about Big Bucks Auto is that we determine the value of your car or vehicle through our quick and accurate free car appraisal process.

After all, cars with good resale value generally make for much smarter buys new, because you’ll get more of your money back when you go to sell your car someday.  So whether you’re buying or selling your car, you should be interested in car resale values and the forces that drive them.

So Why Do Some Cars Have Higher Resale Values Than Others?

1. For the most part, car resale values are a product of consumer perceptions

First and foremost, car brands and models that are synonymous with quality and reliability often have very good resale values.  Brands that come to mind in this category are Toyota and Honda, among others.  These cars are generally perceived to be very reliable, and this helps fuel their strong resale values.  Since consumers are willing to pay a bit more for this reliability on the used car market, these cars often have good resale values.

2. Another factor contributing to good car resale values in today’s market is fuel economy

Now, more than ever, astronomically high gas prices are having major impacts on used car resale values. Consumers are looking for cars with good – if not great – fuel economy.  Large SUVs and trucks, vehicles which often get less-than-stellar fuel economy, have generally poor resale values as a result.

3. While SUV’s and large trucks are selling poorly due to high gas prices, smaller cars which are perceived to be ‘good on gas’, are exhibiting very high resale values

Again, smaller cars, from makers like Honda, Toyota, Mazda and others come to mind, as they generally get very good gas mileage; a feature consumers are willing to pay a bit more for in today’s market.

4. Still, some exceptions in car resale values exist!

Cars from Hyundai and Kia, although generally perceived to get excellent gas mileage as well, still do not have very high resale values. This could be due to the fact that negative consumer perception of other factors, like construction quality, and overall reliability, outweigh the positive impacts that good fuel economy has on these cars and thus the resale value of these cars is lower.

5. Other consumer perceptions, like perceptions of high-class luxury, also have big impacts on car resale values

Luxury European automobiles and super-luxury cars in particular, have very high resale values.  Cars like Porsches, BMWs, and others often demonstrate high resale values as a result.  Consumers view these cars as being high quality, high-class, and this is reflected in strong demand on the used market, keeping resale values high.  These cars often also have high ratings in safety and durability, further contributing to their good resale values.

6. But wait; there are exceptions to the ‘luxury’ rule as well!

Some luxury cars do not have high resale values, although they may still be of generally high quality.  Jaguar and Saab cars often fit into the luxury category, but this is not reflected in their resale values, which are notoriously, lower than many other luxury car brands.
All in all, consumer perceptions and overall public opinion of a car brand and model, in combination with economic factors, like high gas prices, all have major impacts on car resale values.

Are you wondering if your car has a good resale value?

Why not find out!  At Big Bucks Auto™, you can get a free appraisal to sell your car today, with no obligation.  We are a highly reputable used car buyer; the largest used car buyer in the New York Metro / Tri-State area.  With Big Bucks Auto™, you’ll be able to get fast cash for your car, without the hassles of selling privately.  So come on in to Big Bucks Auto™ today, and get a free no obligation quote on your used car!

Learn more about why choose us to buy your car and call us today at 1-888-44-BUCKS or 1-888-44-8257

Here are the top 10 factors affecting your cars resale value.

1). Mileage.

Your cars mileage probably has the biggest impact on the vehicle’s resale value.  It’s really quite simple; cars with fewer miles are generally worth more money.  A good rule of thumb is that 10,000 – 12,000 miles per year is considered to be about average.  Much more than that will likely have a negative effect on your car’s resale value.

2). Season.

To get the best resale value for your car, try to sell your car in its best season.  In other words, a 4×4 vehicle will likely sell for more, and sell more quickly, during the winter months, while a convertible will have the best resale value during the summer months.

3). Condition.

Cars in better condition are certainly worth more when it comes time to sell. Dents and dings, chipped paint and holes in your cars upholstery means a negatively impacted resale value.  Keep your car in good condition and get more money when you sell.

4). Options.

Cars that were ‘loaded’ with all the good most desirable options are worth far more than base model or lightly optioned cars.

5). Make and Model.

Make and model has a huge impact on car resale values.  Some make and model cars are simply less than desirable on the used market, while others are in high demand.  For instance, American-made family sedans generally do not hold their value well, while European cars may hold their value far better for many years. Make and model, and consumer perceptions of the make and model can have major impacts on your car’s resale value.

6). Economic Factors.

Although current economic factors are beyond your control, they still affect automotive resale values.  For example, the currently high gas prices hurt resale values for gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks – while having an extremely positive impact on economy car resale values.

7). Appearance.

A car that looks better almost always sells better!  To maximize your car’s resale value keep it looking good by washing, waxing and vacuuming, especially before you show the car to prospective buyers.

8). Vehicle History.

With everyone having easy access to sites like Carfax.com and other vehicle history reports, it’s easier than ever for a consumer to check on a vehicles history before making a used car purchase.  A history of any collisions or other problems can certainly have a negative effect on your auto resale value; another reason to stay out of collisions and drive safe!

9). Local Supply.

Supply can have a big impact on car resale values.  If there are a lot of cars like yours for sale in your area, it will likely be harder to sell your car.  Adversely, a limited supply could make it easier for you to sell your car quickly – and for more money.

10). Other Factors.

There are a multitude of other factors that can affect automobile resale values, from service records to magazine reviews to the color of your cars exterior.  Some of these are out of your control, while others are not. All in all, you can make sure you get the most for your used car by taking care of it while you own it, keeping mileage low, and staying out of accidents!

Are you curious about how much your used car is worth? Get a free quote to sell your car today, from my team at Big Bucks Auto™.  We are a reputable used car buyer; the largest used car buying service in the New York Metro / Tri-State area.  With Big Bucks Auto™, you’ll be able to get fast cash for your car, without the hassles of selling privately.

Thinking about selling your car? Read our How to Get Fast Cash for Cars article for some useful tips.