I am modding it so it is the way I want it NOW. I am also saving all my OEM parts so I can go back to stock anytime I want to.

I don't really care what the car is worth in terms of money, either now or in 10 years or in 30 years. It's really a non-issue for me. They only way it would matter is if I sold it, and since I don't plan to do that, it's not an issue.

Right now I like it a little more showy than stock. Later I may want it stock again, if so then I will go back.

 

I agree with ruexp67. I didn't think that I would want ANY significant modification to my S (other than ditching the crappy sound system) but YOU GUYS ALL MADE ME CHANGE MY MIND! DAMN YOU ALL. AND DAMN MY WEAK AND EASILY INFLUENCED MIND!!!

Anyway, I also think that one of the nice things about this car being a Honda is that even if I throw out, break or lose an OEM piece, I should have no problem obtaining a replacement, at a reasonabel price, in the future.

 

interesting to look at this thread after 16 years, bought my 2nd 07 AP2 back in April 2021, Stock, 36k miles, paid 30k. i'll keep her stock for sure.

 

Wow, you really dug this up from the archives! But it is quite funny to read back on this, and the couple of posts stating that “I can’t see this car being a classic”. While it may not be a classic yet, it’s got the recipe to be one. I see this as a similar feat of engineering as the NSX, and we can all see where that’s been heading over the last 3-4 years.

Just bought my second S2000 as well — feels good to be back.

 

I've sparred with people over this issue. Often, though not always, mods WILL decrease the value of the car and I would never mod my car in any way that was irreversible, e.g. putting on a body kit. How many times have you gone to a car show and heard people say "If only the owner had modded it?!". I get it...it's the owner's car to do with as he or she pleases...but I've never understood why someone would spend a lot of money to devalue their car. I like to think that the designers and engineers at Honda got it right the first time.

 

Because they're thinking of enjoying it in their own way...not maintaining value that someone else determines later.

But I am not sure what the argument is? Obviously a "special" car is worth more in stock form (apples to apples) than a modded one. It also costs nothing to leave it stock.

At first, yes, a modded one may sell for more. But once the car goes out of production? Nope.

Nobody sensible will argue that.

But... saying something like, "I don't get why anyone would want to spend money to devalue a car" is like saying "I don't get why anyone would want to eat a hot dog with condiments on it". Its because they want to enjoy their hot dog. They're not thinking about how much it'll be worth with/without mustard.

I have a tough time believing its difficult for you to understand why someone mods a car...

People still mod cars to enjoy them. There's a multi-billion dollar industry behind modding cars. Its so huge that OEM's leave "mod ability" on the table to attract buyers. Some OEM's even have modding houses connected directly/indirectly to their operation (AMG, RUF, MUGEN, TRD, HPD, Roush, SVT, Spoon, Alpina, etc).

High performance cars wouldn't exist if people didn't like hopping up cars. In fact, most high performance cars are just economy cars that the manufacturer hopped up. That leads to them building building some performance into the base model inherently. Everyone wins.

Hell, people can spec out a Corvette or Mustang a million different ways from the factory. Meaning you're just shopping from a library of manufacturer provided mods.

You gotta try and relate to the human condition a little bit, my man. People mod refrigerators. No way its hard to believe why they'd mod cars.

 

Life isn’t about maximizing investments, people devalue the cars through modification because they enjoy it and want to make the car fit their wants more closely.

hondas accountants needed the car to appeal to a pretty broad audience. I do not, I need it to appeal to me. I think stock S2000s universally look really, really dated and awkward, I like my car. We are not the same.

this is the purest form of art to jeff gebhart

 

Yep 100% with you. While the only changes from stock has been my Alpine HU and will most likely upgrade speakers, that will pretty much be it. But that's because that's how I like these cars, not for any resale value. The look and feel of these cars in stock form is all I want and still manages to satisfy that itch just by taking it out on a long drive through the back roads here in NC. Plenty of twisties and beautiful views and I don't even have to go to the Dragon. Modifying this car I think might take away from that in my opinion.

 

Well...they DID appreciate in value though....

That aside,

Modding the car *if you know what you're doing* will add to the experience. Makes the car more valuable for the individual in that way.

Some mods will, infact, add value in the real world market.

Plenty more ways to ruin it, though. And by ruin it...I mean ruin it for yourself. People sometimes mod cars in ways that ruin their own experience.

As long as you're enjoying it...

 

To begin with, if you want to mod your car, go for it...I couldn't care less. From minor mods to the "Can-Am S2000" that I saw here a while back and everything in between. It's your car, so go for it! You used the "hot dog" and "condiment" analogy. Go ahead and put condiments on your hot dog! . But few people put ketchup or mustard on a hot dog and then turn around and try to sell it to someone else. My point is that if you buy a car and heavily mod it, it's going to hurt you IF YOU TRY TO SELL IT unless you find a buyer who shares your taste in mods, which is very possible. You'll have more buyers interested in an unmodified car than in one that has been butchered beyond recognition. Maybe I'm in the minority on this subject (not that I really care). But if you want to mod your car, then mod away! Perhaps at the next S2000 meet I'll see just how far someone can take a stock car with mods.