Should You Modify Your Car or Just Trade-Up For Something Better?

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  • Опубліковано 1 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 61

  • @WillThePlank
    @WillThePlank 9 місяців тому +13

    So I am somebody who CANNOT leave a car alone, all 3 of my vehicles are modified including my daily driver so I have some thoughts on this.
    When it comes to mods my first and most important one is maintenance, as mentioned in the video taking care of old bushes, worn parts and general wear and tear items is the best baseline to have on a vehicle!
    You now need to decide what route you’re going to go down, OEM+ or totally aftermarket, that will effect things like the reliability of your car, the ease or sourcing replacement parts and the general safety of your vehicle.
    You then need to look into how, when & where your car will be driven.
    If you’re willing to get stuck on speed bumps while commuting to work then by all means slam it, however a moderate drop which still allows you to carry passengers, still allow you to carry items for work and shopping will make day to day life easier if your car is a daily driven vehicle.
    As you said, always keep your stock parts if you can, not just because of resale but you never know if you’re going to change your mind or get tired of the cat back exhaust on your Diesel Golf.
    Be prepared to lose money, be prepared to spend all weekend covered in oil and most importantly be prepared for unforeseen problems due to your modifications down the road and save money accordingly.
    Oh and just to stress this again, take care of the maintenance!!!
    Probably many other things I forgot but if you really care about your car you will do thorough research before modifying anything.

  • @Marvelous0071
    @Marvelous0071 9 місяців тому +15

    I got a 370z as well I'm modifying my car, I'm not selling it. I didn't buy it to make money off it. I believe the hardest thing for car enthusiast to do is find satisfaction.

    • @vvwvvwvv
      @vvwvvwvv 9 місяців тому +3

      Setting a finished goal or starting with a firm idea is a superpower these days.
      With how many options you can find for customization/tuning online if you don’t have an end goal you could keep changing things forever! I think this also applies to most things of taste these days.

  • @BySixa
    @BySixa 9 місяців тому +5

    I think the most important factor is ensuring you do it right.
    If you take off a factory bodykit, at least put on a good quality kit - BN sports, Vertex etc. for the japanese stuff.
    If you take off factory wheels, go with quality - work, bbs, enkei etc.
    If you take the factory seats out, go with recaro, bride etc.
    If you swap the steering wheel out, momo, nardi etc.
    Nothing worse than looking into a nice car and seeing an ebay steering wheel and ebay seats. It ruins it

  • @dadcars
    @dadcars 9 місяців тому

    Great convo chaps, most cars for me I won’t even click on the advert if I notice they have non standard wheels! I’m a OEM looks guy myself but Ant’s Z is extremely cool 👌 😎

  • @marcos1669
    @marcos1669 9 місяців тому +3

    Not only is Straight pipping illegal, is also terrible from a performance and sound quality point of view, what you need is a proper well design exhaust system

  • @joe718gt4
    @joe718gt4 9 місяців тому +2

    I was very fortunate to get my GT4 at the bottom of the market with a very low interest rate. With the way prices are now (especially with the ADMs on GT4 RS's, and just life in general) I don't think it's worth upgrading anymore. Gonna try to get a 718 clubsport wing and Manthey harness bar when the money comes.

  • @davidmwood560
    @davidmwood560 9 місяців тому

    Hi James; very interesting and informative video, thank you.
    My 2006 Lexus GS300 SE-L has been modified for power, handling, brakes and a super quiet but super-efficient exhaust. It's now seriously rapid, glued to the road, and it's whisper quiet. I also get great economy;
    (0-60mph in 4 seconds; 43+mpg at 73mph and 22 - 31mpg around town); which I'm very happy with.
    All the mods have been done by Lexus, so my1 insurance hasn't changed, and I got a full!2 Lexus warranty too.
    For me, this was the right way to go.

  • @LawrenceTimme
    @LawrenceTimme 9 місяців тому +3

    Every time i want to improve or modify one of my cars it breaks or gets a big bill. 😂😂😂 The only reason i put aftermarket suspension on my sti was because it was half the price of the oem suspension as well as being better.

  • @ricsu3462
    @ricsu3462 9 місяців тому

    Such a complex question! And yes you almost never get your money back on mods unless it's one that's considered a must have or highly desirable, so there's the investment aspect against it. If it's a JDM under 100k that will go on forever, then yes mod it as they all need it and the warranty matters little coz they just never break. In fact the Nissan Zs are built for you to mod and left a lot of stuff vanilla. If it's a new or used german under 10 years old under 100k I would get an extended 10 year warranty and just do reversible cosmetic mods if needed. If it's a 200-300k supercar/exotic, I consider these pretty perfect out of the box (and that's the point of these cars really) and does not need any mod, the good ones that is. For these cars I rather save up for the maintenance and repairs (esp mclarens) rather than adding to the headaches. Usually I find cars in the 100-200k range flawed and need some slight attention. For example, my audi r8s fall in this category and if you have a v10 you gotta let the sound out. The OEM exhaust is simply unacceptable to mute the whole point of the car, the engine. And most buyers appreciate the exhaust so the value isnt lost at all. In another instance the cost to upgrade my 458 to the speciale is 300k which is silly, so I just straight pipe the car and give it some extra carbon bits for 15k and I think that's a much better proposition than dropping 300k, which I can use to buy another exotic. The carbon bits are highly desirable and almost no loss in the used aftermarket if you buy them used. Personally, I like the aventador to look like an SV but then again the cost difference is 300k...I know the lp700 is timeless looking but for a car with this character I need it to have more aggression, so screaming x pipe and adding carbon bits to the car with a wing to look like an SV for 50k or so would be my route to take. Most exotics are out of warranty forever so that's almost never a consideration. Another scenario I came across personally is an audi r8 v8 supercharged (belonging to a friend) or a base v10. Similar power levels, more sound in the v10, similarly priced, but the v8 is lighter and a 6mt. V10 6mt costs a bit more. So throughout my 9 years of ownership, I had extended warranty so the ownership was very stress free and easy, and other than the exhausts and some slight tunes to engage the engine and rtronic faster, it's pretty much stock. My friend's on the other hand, couldnt get an extended warranty with the supercharger, and adds a lot of bills to the maintenance because oil change or spark plugs need supercharger removal etc. When his AC went out he also couldnt fix it for 6 months because supposedly that's an engine out procedure (no longer true, but still, a lot of labor hours). So his experience was a lot more stressful which eventually made him sell the car.

  • @ReeceT20
    @ReeceT20 9 місяців тому +1

    I've got a modified M240i that I actually offered up to jay for review, it's sports cat all legal and above board, and ive kept the OEM parts too, some cars are built to modify, some are great out of the box it depends what you like

  • @PaulMansfield
    @PaulMansfield 9 місяців тому

    I have a fully stock 1.5L ND (4th gen( MX5, and a 2L ND.2 with the BBR220 upgrades and more. They're both great, but the latter is just phenomenal.
    Unless you're running a motoring museum, or only a short-term owner, I'd say to do the upgrades that'll make you happy.

  • @jamesonslow
    @jamesonslow 9 місяців тому

    Interesting conversation. It's all about the tasteful, subtle customisations. 👍

  • @PeteAnda
    @PeteAnda 9 місяців тому

    Great topic and good advice. Love that he loves 370, not my thing but beautifully done, wonderful job.
    I own my cars, so will mod them a little for my needs. Im not interested in having the latest and following others (hence owning Elise, GT86 and Ninja 1000) but being myself. Haters gonna hate. Thanks for a great video.

  • @femiomomo4467
    @femiomomo4467 9 місяців тому +2

    What about modifications to improve manufacturers known faulty issues. For example early Bentley V8 continental turbo valves clog up and then the turbo starve of oil and explode. This can be an issue if the car is out of warranty.

    • @benpenagonzales6014
      @benpenagonzales6014 9 місяців тому

      This is the same as Matt Armstrong did on RS6. Replacing the strainer for a bigger filter.

  • @DontPanicDear
    @DontPanicDear 9 місяців тому +1

    ‘It depends’
    Is answer to the question.

  • @JoshuaKoerner
    @JoshuaKoerner 9 місяців тому

    I’ve never considered modifying a car, but now I have one I’d like to modify. But in an OEM+ kind of way. For example, I can’t get the quality fuel that the manufacturer recommends. I’d like to slightly detune the engine to keep it happiest longest. Replace some historically riskier parts. The suspension is old and there’s a lot of body roll. I’d like to go up a step on suspension from the OEM. The convertible top has a plastic back window that’s garbage. I’d like glass with a heater built in.

  • @kevinmcg6747
    @kevinmcg6747 9 місяців тому

    Modifications can range from the most simple visual rear spoiler to a fully blown engine, drivetrain and suspension feast. I've tended to stick to exhaust, induction or simple styling all of which are easily reversible and often I've removed the items pre-sale and sold them on the used market thereby minimising the loss. What I will say however is that I had a lightly modified BMW M135i which I had the option to seriously modify or upgrade to an M2 Competition - the M2C ended up on the drive and I'm so glad I did that (plus I benefited from the crazy COVID used prices that meant losses were minimal when I sold it), not because the M135i was a bad car but the M Car was just a different visceral experience. Kevin

  • @kip8790
    @kip8790 9 місяців тому

    I like to modify my cars but only using the same manufacturers parts bin or oem suppliers. I had a Corrado with a R32 engine which was lovely, now just pricing up an E81 with V8 M3 mechanicals which I’ve wanted to do since forever.

  • @DanPyjamas
    @DanPyjamas 9 місяців тому

    I'm keeping my car for another 4 years. I've considered a remap about half way through my ownership, to refresh it. I've never had a car for that long before. I usually get bored. But with insurance going up so much this year (Admiral went from £1,000 to £1,800 this year as a renewal), I'm not sure if I ever will...

  • @mcgherkinstudios
    @mcgherkinstudios 9 місяців тому

    I can appreciate both routes. I used to be someone who thought supercars are for people with far too much money. You could go far faster for far less cost.
    However, I get it. I get the idea of driving something special, something that is a work of art, for the experience it is at any speed. You absolutely could go as fast for far less, but nowhere near as elegantly.
    I’ll still be happily sinking a tonne of money into my Volvo making it into a competent all rounder with big power and big grip, but it won’t ever be special in the way that even something like an Elise is.
    As for value, we wouldn’t own these generally depreciating assets which require a load of maintenance if we cared about that.

  • @Jalreal
    @Jalreal 9 місяців тому +1

    I like the concept of "Stock Plus." Don't mess with the so-called ethos of the car, but you can get away with a couple things here and there. Big brake kit, wider and stickier tires maybe, coilovers, headers and exhaust, a light tune, or a little boost increase if its a turbo, Things of this nature.
    Once people get carried away and start overhauling engine, etc... yeah just buy a faster platform to begin with.

  • @ldwp6395
    @ldwp6395 9 місяців тому

    I think it depends on the car. If you have an emotional attachment to it, then modify it, and if youve always dreamed of having a car in a certain way you can't get standard, but if it's a car you've dreamed about in standard form, then chop it in for the next step up the ladder.
    For example, I have a mk3 Capri I bought as a shell, I'll be modifying it as I always wanted a modified Capri, but I won't build my idea of a perfect B5 Audi, as even though I'd probably enjoy it, I'd lose money, and the amount of time i put into it.

  • @megajohntopunishenslave427
    @megajohntopunishenslave427 9 місяців тому

    I agree with insurance company’s some price it crazy for a premium to make you walk away. Specialists know you mod your car because you care about it

  • @theofficialstig
    @theofficialstig 9 місяців тому

    I was thinking about this a lot recently.... and since buying my lotus
    Evora s to 430-460hp or an R8 V10/997 turbo
    the V10 is much thirstier and less practical, the 997 turbo is less special.
    I should really test drive before deciding.

  • @15DEAN1995
    @15DEAN1995 9 місяців тому

    I bought a car from a dealership that was decatted and it had a brand new mot. The only reason I found out was I went to get the brakes upgraded and the mechanic said to me my car was illegal.

  • @hexgraphica
    @hexgraphica 9 місяців тому

    This is the reason why so many light garage restomods are popping up like mushrooms on a rainy week. It's a way to have a car modified by a recognized entity in a serialised way, which will prevent the resale value from tumbling down.

  • @laskos02
    @laskos02 9 місяців тому +1

    Didn't the mechanic in the previous video on James channel made a point about getting a decatted car MOT d?

  • @volt8684
    @volt8684 9 місяців тому +3

    Yes its hard one. Have a berlingo mk1 have modded it with heated seats😂

  • @marcos1669
    @marcos1669 9 місяців тому +4

    There is another thing, I think one of the problems is when you modify a car, you are "stealing" buying oportunities to many other car enthusiasts.
    What I mean is if you modify a car, now there is less stock car in the market, which makes the prices worse because most people don't want ro go trough the hassle of unmodifying the car

  • @twowheelsoneleg5672
    @twowheelsoneleg5672 9 місяців тому

    Rule of thumb for me with bikes and cars are no mods within warranty then only mod if its a keeper. Also accept that in a lot of cases mods add nothing to the value come resale

  • @jimmyquinn9639
    @jimmyquinn9639 9 місяців тому +1

    Another good video 👍👍👍👏👏⭐️⭐️⭐️

  • @dugmeat5881
    @dugmeat5881 9 місяців тому +2

    I like originality but sympathetic and reversible mods i can get behind. Excessively modifying cars so often equates to ruining them. Japanese cars, anything rwd and cheap are always picked up by the "drift" or "stance" crowd, get distastefully modded or mechanically ruined (diff welded, drilling holes in the body etc) or mistreated and crashed resulting in fewer examples of interesting old cars and premiums for the few survivors!

  • @grahamnutt8958
    @grahamnutt8958 9 місяців тому

    Food for thought...... and I don't mean the 🎶 by UB40 😊

  • @andrewdhome
    @andrewdhome 9 місяців тому

    What about insurance? Do you use specialist insurers? Or do you still go with mainstream insurers?

  • @chriscomparescars4416
    @chriscomparescars4416 9 місяців тому

    I like modified cars but sort of grew out of it. I can't help but think every penny spent on mods gets in the way of me getting something better

  • @hyphydan
    @hyphydan 16 днів тому

    Big power upgrades usually require fuel system upgrades , another cost many don't consider.
    Labor costs would be huge unless you DIY. Just buy a better car

  • @missedapproachmark
    @missedapproachmark 9 місяців тому

    Should have been a podcast.

  • @Cloxxki
    @Cloxxki 9 місяців тому

    The mods I'd want are minor or huge. A stock lame VW or Skoda family car, is probably getting in the way on the Autobahn. Happy to chip that.
    Some fancy sedans...I'd turn into a never made wagon. Like the Lucid Air Sapphire. Seems friggin' amazing, but it's a sedan.
    Some cars are weirdly heavy. I'd love to put a whole new engine in it and lose loads of weight. Then offset it with a peppy hybrid system that drives a second axle. Now, that's a modification. Off the shelf hybrids tend to just add power to the already drive axle. Some are AWD with a prop shaft, yeah, they're nice I guess...

  • @benpenagonzales6014
    @benpenagonzales6014 9 місяців тому

    Third car that can take me to the station out of the winter depths, and take wife to Paris for the weekend? 5-10k as deposit or all in. Looking at Alpine A110 with comfort seats.

  • @MrDead1975
    @MrDead1975 9 місяців тому +3

    save the cash and put it towards the next trade up. modding cars is just pissing away lots of money you'll never get back on resale

    • @sportzntouring
      @sportzntouring 9 місяців тому

      It depends on the amount of cash you lose in depreciation as you trade-up. A lot if you're buying new. We talk about if you're changing cars regularly then it's not worth it. But, it is worth it if it's a car you're keeping for the long run.

    • @DontPanicDear
      @DontPanicDear 9 місяців тому

      Not everyone prioritises resale value, over fun and enjoyment in their lives.
      The hit you take selling and the margin you pay buying, is usually the greater loss.

    • @BySixa
      @BySixa 9 місяців тому

      depends on the car

    • @DontPanicDear
      @DontPanicDear 9 місяців тому

      @@BySixa
      ….and the person.

    • @BySixa
      @BySixa 9 місяців тому

      @@DontPanicDear I completely agree.
      I know of cars in the drift community where certain modifications you will get most of your money back on resale. I also know plenty of cars where modifying them, even well, will reduce the value

  • @jondonnelly3
    @jondonnelly3 9 місяців тому

    I don't agree with Jay, sometimes mods do add value to the car. If say I wanted a replica BMA M3 but powered by a hybrid or diesel so car is dailyable for long commutes, I would definitily pay more for the car. Or say a Golf R modded with Revo producing an extra 100HP, thats worth buying over one thats not been. There are many examples where it can add value. Or an escort modded into Mexico.

  • @PaulB58
    @PaulB58 9 місяців тому

    I de modified my car back to stock down as far as the stock radio it's now worth a lot more Celica TRD Sports M

  • @DeanMackenziebelldmb
    @DeanMackenziebelldmb 9 місяців тому +1

    I'm 2,400 on car 16,000 on parts a4 b7 3.0 tdi

  • @jondobbs
    @jondobbs 9 місяців тому

    02:16 Audi Halford’s Parts Edition

  • @megajohntopunishenslave427
    @megajohntopunishenslave427 9 місяців тому +2

    I would only say mod your car if your it’s last owner. The money you put in will never be recouped so enjoy it.
    My mk3 mx5 has been super200 Ed by BBR and in the coming months it will be back for a super charger upgrade. (Jay you will have the offer to test drive it to complete the MX5 series lol)
    If I ever brake the car all the parts swap in to a new shell or I donate the parts in to a kit car for the hell of it.
    I spent 2.5k on my mk3 and spent 4 or 5 times that modding it.

  • @davebarron5939
    @davebarron5939 9 місяців тому

    Here in the USA, older American iron, I brought my 83 Camaro to LIFE with LS swap and 4L65 transmission, with numerous related upgrades. Love It! Oh, and here you go - ua-cam.com/video/9aNXb9uMXA4/v-deo.html