I'd love to modify my car but at the same time, with the minimal gains you get for the prices and my lack of money to work with, I prefer to keep it mostly stock. If money were no object, I'd tinker to my heart's content. I do agree with Nick on this one though...those who buy a car for it's collector value are missing what the car is about.

 

Lousy example,...It is not worth more because of the wing and flares, it is worth more because it has a HISTORY and the history is that it was Steve McQueen's car.

You don't have to wait 30 years for the car's value to reward you or bite you. Go to sell a modified beyond redemption S2000 now, or next year or at any time. If you have some body kit or some big wing on it the resale value is much less than if you were selling a pristeen stock one. So not only did you waste your money on some bullsh*t mod, you have wasted even more money in what you lose in resale value. As far as "improving" the car, most of these mods DETRACT from the performance of the stock car. Big wheels may look cool but they in many cases zap some HP. Body kits are abortions and even if you think they look cool they probably do nothing but add weight and drag. Big wings-same deal. Lowered suspension unless you plan on racing on a smooth track they are foolish you will be hurting your street handling.

DISCLAIMER - Of course each person is entitled to do whatever they want to their cars. I am only expressing this OPINION because the question was asked.

 

my 17" fatter wheels actually save weight, and in my seat of the pants feeling is that they actually help in acceleration, and definately in handling....

Just my opinion....but I do know for a fact they weigh less (scale)

Scot

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Bieg
[B]Big wheels may look cool but they in many cases zap some HP.

 

Wow Beig-

That's some strong sentiment. There's just no holding you back.

Body kits as "abortions"... "lousy example"...

Selling cars just to see the resale value... From my point of view, a pointless exercise. Why would anyone sell a car they liked? I know I bought an S2000 to have fun. If I wanted resale value, I would have bought real estate- what I would say "kind of a no-brainer."

Hmm- The NART spider I mentioned was worth more despite the "abortion" that was performed on it. I know many people don't plan on being famous or being a history maker, but there are some of us who have higher aspirations and goals. I'm sure there were some people who told McQueen the same things you enjoy shouting here, but the bottom line is that it's worth more now, no matter what excuses you may present. What my main purpose of that example is- it's never going to always be clear cut. Your perception of what "abortion" body kits look like are not like those of many others- hence the market for these items. Market demand for anything is not always dependent on how original it is, but rather what a concensus of "experts" decide at that period, hence rewritten history, skewed views dependent on being politically correctness, etc.

Mass produced cars will not be remembered if everyone didn't drive them. Many drivers are also tinkerers. Hence, for this car to be remembered, many will be tinkered with. If you wanted to be part of a car enthusiast's owners' group that didn't modify cars you should have bought an appliance like the Toyota Camry, whose enthusiast drivers are probably not too prevalent. You could be "preaching to the choir" in that scenario.

However, your massive knowledge of the aftermarket never ceases to amaze me. I must use your technique some time when talking about something I, like you, have no idea about. Speaking of...

Didn't you change out your transmission gears? Wouldn't that lower the intrinsic value of your car? I know that if I were to buy a "historically significant example" I would want it to have ALL the original parts- on the car, will all original seals intact. If you're so concerned with keeping the car original I'm sure some concours officials and many collectors would have things to say about that one.

 

Anyone who buys a car worrying about resale value shouldn't be buying that car in the first place.

I'd be willing to bet that a full Mugen S2000 would definitely fetch more than a stock S2000 upon resale, no question.

 

Ever seen a classic car show or a high end auction? Car better be correct or it will be ignored. Your Steve Mcqueen car is a lousy example you are just a bit too thick to understand that the celebrity value outweighs the devaluation the mods would normally cause.

Also nobody (smart people anyway) buys a car to make money. I just don't go out of my way to lose money on the cars I own. Having a factory fix such as the recalls and the tranny service bulletin done does not devalue the car and arguments like that make you sound like a fool.

BTW don't you receive sponsorship help from many of the companies that sell mod parts? Kind of makes your opinion a bit biased doesn't it? You are here (to a certain extent) to promote aftermarket mods are you not?

Makes it kind of hard to trust your opinion when you are on the payroll of the aftermarket don't you think?

I think people should know that and perhaps you should make it more clear. Even if it is only getting your parts at a discount you are still beholden to the aftermartket guys.

 

I love doing mods to my car. As a young person with a nice car, Honda did a great job fine tuning this vehicle. Each person had different tastes to what and how he treats his car. As for me I've done over 38 mods ($16,000) worth of mods. I am happy and feel great when I drive my S2K, it's like no other on the street.

Just my .02

enjoy

 

This is a great question!

I was totally anti-mod at the very beginning. I think this was due to my perception of the activity based on the many Civics I have seen driven around town....However, I have come to really appreciate that some mods really enhance your own enjoyment. Some of Rick's accessories and a new shift knob have shown me that cars can be augmented without being tacky. Heck, I even purchased a new shifter knob for my wife's TL. I doubt I'll ever be a person to put a new exhaust system on my car, but you can at least call me more open minded about these sorts of activities.

 

I'm an anti-modster because I change cars quite often and being in the auto business, cars that are not factory have a harder time selling (generally). Mods are usually not a good investment, you hardly ever recover what you put into them. So it's all about resale for me. Now on the other hand if I had a ********* like Greg does, one who supplies all my needs and desires (inc. unlimited money) that would be a different story.

 

The mods I have made, and plan to make, are merely to even the car out a bit, and by that I mean that it's simple to see that the speakers, horn, carpet, plastic rear window, and 16" wheels (among other things) aren't on par whith the rest of the car as a whole, and I have no reservations about addressing and modifying each in good time. And for the record, I didn't purchase this car to sell it, I purchased it to flog it.

Andrew