4Runner mods and value

[Zdoggy]

You will have to excuse me as I'm somewhat new to the 4Runner world, but I'm not new to customizing your vehicle. I'm coming from the Subaru community, which has been great, and I currently drive a pretty decently modified 2017 WRX STI. And I've put probably 15k of parts into that. Sooooo I've always read and heard that the mods to your ride really don't add any value, in fact could even decrease the value of your car....my point, I lurk on here almost daily looking for that perfect 3rd gen 4Runner 4x4 in Jade Imperial Green and I look at a lot of people asking WAY MORE than what the ride is worth because they have put money into modifications. Is this "rule" different in the truck community, or am I missing something. I mean, when I turn around and sell my subaru I literally would get nothing back on my tasteful mods I've done to it unless I removed all the parts and sell them separately. What say you 4Runner dudes!?

 

[TRDSchin]

You are correct that mods do not add value to a vehicle. Most people prefer a vehicle stock. Who knows how someone installed parts or whoever did them if they did a half ass job or whatever. It's more of a gamble IMO. Plus, most people buying vehicles don't want the aftermarket parts, so that narrows the category of buyers.

Sure, that seller is going to want to get their money back from the mods they have done, but they're going to have to find the right buyer. As a buyer, you have the power. Unless it's a really rare vehicle or unless you just really desire that specific one, you could probably get it closer to what KBB suggests.

I traded in my 2016 Subaru Forester for my TRD Pro, and they wanted it close to stock as possible. They said if I didn't they would deduct money. So, had to get stock wheels, took off the light bar, took off the after market skid plate, etc.. Was able to sell most of the items anyway so at least I got some of my money back.

So it really just depends on how bad you want that vehicle or how bad they want to sell it.

 

[Melrose 4r]

I think it's a valid question

I think it's a valid question. I see asking prices all over the place on Fjs and first gen 4runners and some modded trucks' sellers are asking higher prices.

It seems it would depend on the buyer. If you are looking for a stocker you would not value the modded truck higher. But if you were planning on doing the same mods anyhow, you might do the math and find out it's better to buy the modded one...as long as the mods suit your taste and vision and are properly executed.

 

[jordanrb81]

Mods are a deterrent

I have always been told not to buy a used vehicle that has been lifted or modified for off-roading, or lowered and modified for track events etc. I have even heard some say don't buy a used vehicle with a tow package unless you somehow KNOW it hasn't been used to tow or plow or what have you. the reason is wear and tear. if I can buy a 4runner from a soccer mom who never took her car on a dirt road, just to dance recitals soccer and whole foods, I know it hasn't been put through hell. Now I understand that many people who modify their vehicles don't actually do anything with them but as a used car buyer I still, from the age of 16 have been warned off because these modified cars have had their engines, transmissions breaks etc beat on much harder than someone who didn't do modifications (old wives tale perhaps but still). In fact that was one of the few reasons I bought my 4Runner new, I am usually a used car buyer. I am going to tow with my 4Runner and I have already taken it off road, but I don't want to buy one someone ELSE has done those things in because they may have overworked the engine or transmission. This may not be fair, or even correct but it is what I have always been told.

 

[Beaumont67]

I've never modified vehicles with lifts, suspension changes, heavy plate bumpers, over-sized tires & custom rims, etc.
- in fact, any and all of the above would render such a rig, non-imported into Canada now
- and Ontario new safety check rules, would prevent such upgrades from ever seeing the road

^^ Besides some Govn. frowning on it, for the purpose of ownership transfer and plating:
- many buyers, do not want to pay for other peoples tastes, mistakes or over-spending

Starting point with common mods = 0 to 25% base-line reduction, in estimated value.
- its all about supply & demand / and its only original once
- good clean original rides, collect the most buyer interest

Even dudes/gals that like expensive mods, will use non-original changes as a bargaining chip...to a builders ROI remorse !!

 

[derryck]

In general mods don't add value to a vehicle especially since they tend to be based on personal taste of the person doing the modding which personalizes the vehicle. In general 4Runners have unusually high resale value at least partially based on their strong reputation for reliability. If a particular vehicle has been modified and just happens to match the taste of a particular buyer then there's a possibility for a premium price. I sold my BMW 335 for almost $6K over the going market and it was exceptionally clean and heavily modified...just happened to be exactly what someone was looking for. Your audience will be much larger for an unmodified vehicle and lots of people associate mods with abuse so in general, you're better off putting the vehicle back to stock and selling it that way.

 

[Engineer]

In general mods don't add value to a vehicle especially since they tend to be based on personal taste of the person doing the modding which personalizes the vehicle. In general 4Runners have unusually high resale value at least partially based on their strong reputation for reliability. If a particular vehicle has been modified and just happens to match the taste of a particular buyer then there's a possibility for a premium price. I sold my BMW 335 for almost $6K over the going market and it was exceptionally clean and heavily modified...just happened to be exactly what someone was looking for. Your audience will be much larger for an unmodified vehicle and lots of people associate mods with abuse so in general, you're better off putting the vehicle back to stock and selling it that way.

I agree with this, rule of thumb is no they will not help but I did get good money for a low mileage well maintained supercharged (among other mods) NB Miata back in the day as it was exactly what they buyer was looking for and the blower kit was no longer made - not a chance did I get my money out of the mods but I would say I was on the upper side of 50% which is pretty good considering most of the time people wont touch a forced induction car with a 10ft pole.

 

[Zdoggy]

All good points for sure and I agree with all that was said. I guess some people just hope that the mods they have done will line up with what someone is looking for. I also believe if someone has put in tons of money into their ride, it's well done and they are not asking too much more than stock it's a good way to save on something you might want because you were gonna do that anyways! The only reason I posted is because I have seen quite a few rigs over the past few months that have had quite a bit of work done to them that were for sale and asking for so much more than a stocker would go for. Anywhere else and they would just get blasted for asking as much as they were and I never see that here. Maybe people are just nicer here lol. Anyways, I'll keep on looking for that Jade Imperial Mica Green 4x4! Enjoy the holidays

Z

 

[Thai]

You will have to excuse me as I'm somewhat new to the 4Runner world, but I'm not new to customizing your vehicle. I'm coming from the Subaru community, which has been great, and I currently drive a pretty decently modified 2017 WRX STI. And I've put probably 15k of parts into that. Sooooo I've always read and heard that the mods to your ride really don't add any value, in fact could even decrease the value of your car....my point, I lurk on here almost daily looking for that perfect 3rd gen 4Runner 4x4 in Jade Imperial Green and I look at a lot of people asking WAY MORE than what the ride is worth because they have put money into modifications. Is this "rule" different in the truck community, or am I missing something. I mean, when I turn around and sell my subaru I literally would get nothing back on my tasteful mods I've done to it unless I removed all the parts and sell them separately. What say you 4Runner dudes!?

Personally speaking, IF i ever get a used vehicle, then i will AVOID any vehicles that have mods on them...even if those mods make sense and what i would eventually do.

For example, if i am looking for a 4runner TE, then i would rather buy a stock one with factory tires than a lifted BFG AT KO-equipped 4runner. The plain stock one likely has not been abused by the previous owner. The modded one may have been taken off-road and suffered damaged that may not be evident on inspection.

Same goes for your Subaru. I would not touch it with a ten foot pole IF i were in the market for your car...not because you’re a bad owner or your mods suck, but because the chances of you abusing it is higher.

 

[JPOVS]

I would think modding a 4Runner would net more than a sports car for resale. The 4Runner still has the tool/utility aspect. So some mods help the tool equation. Some look at also if I'm going to use this as a tool, I don't want it to be new either.
Me personally I wont buy used because I'm too paranoid about how the previous owner treated it. My first car at 17 years old was a Chrysler k-body and it had a blown head gasket. First sign should of been he just changed the spark plugs. Mom said then "well there church people so you should trust them". About the only thing I buy used in life anymore is "wood" furniture.
When I bought my 4Runner I knew I was going to keep it for 10+ years, so I wasn't too concerned about modding it. Right now its mainly a tool, and in 10 years it definitely will be.

 

[Zdoggy]

Personally speaking, IF i ever get a used vehicle, then i will AVOID any vehicles that have mods on them...even if those mods make sense and what i would eventually do.

For example, if i am looking for a 4runner TE, then i would rather buy a stock one with factory tires than a lifted BFG AT KO-equipped 4runner. The plain stock one likely has not been abused by the previous owner. The modded one may have been taken off-road and suffered damaged that may not be evident on inspection.

Same goes for your Subaru. I would not touch it with a ten foot pole IF i were in the market for your car...not because you’re a bad owner or your mods suck, but because the chances of you abusing it is higher.

True, however, people that mod their cars are usually better caretakers of vehicles. They are usually enthusiasts that know how to take care of their ride and do so regularly. A lot of people will put parts on their car to make it look a certain way but don't use it the way it's intended with the parts added. Where as some dude that has a vehicle that he gives two about is probably bone stock lol.

Ps you know you wanna buy my Subaru

 

[rihavens]

Not to sound too cliché, but the value of a modified vehicle is exactly what someone is willing to pay for it. You'll never get your money back out of it, but someone who likes the looks of it may pay extra. As for me, I am keeping the stock parts. I will be turning it back into stock before I sell it (if I do.)

 

[3gunshooter]

i have been in the market for a few weeks after moving from the Nissan world. There it's pretty common when getting ready to sell, usually upgrading to a newer version of the xterra,. Anything that can, gets swapped to the new one, or the parts are sold for 50-75 cent on the dollar and original parts are then reinstalled. Theres more value and demand when stock.I noticed while I was looking for a 4R that, IMHO, guys who have invested serious $$ in the rigs expect to get almost all of it back. Asking Crazy $$ for trucks with 150-250K on them. Not sure who would pay high dollar for them. I'm not saying they don't have value but...... I found an 09 all original one owner 83K on it for almost the same price a few folks were asking for older gen 4's with 200K/ sorry for the ramble but I figure if I invest 7K to get this just right and keep in for 7 years, about 8,000 miles a year.. that investment will end up at $1000/year. well worth it and when I sell it, I won't cry when I don't my money back on the add ons.. I had my fun and besides parts be all worn out by then anyway.

 

[Rondigs]

From what I’ve learned, you’ll never (okay rarely) get your money back on mods. I usually stash the OEM parts and return it back to stock for resale or trade. Then, sale the mods separate.

 

[wcjeep]

In addition to the cost of the mod is insurance payout. Accidents happen. Theft happens. Does your car insurance pay full price of the mod? Probably not.


To the original question. I bought my Jeep and Diesel truck stock. Then modified. Mods were done my way. Vehicles were driven my way. I would buy stock vehicles first. Less likely to have hidden problems.

 

[jordanrb81]

In addition to the cost of the mod is insurance payout. Accidents happen. Theft happens. Does your car insurance pay full price of the mod? Probably not.


To the original question. I bought my Jeep and Diesel truck stock. Then modified. Mods were done my way. Vehicles were driven my way. I would buy stock vehicles first. Less likely to have hidden problems.

the answer to your question is it depends on what is disclosed. your insurance company only knows what you tell them and prices your policy accordingly. if you tell them the nature of your modification and it's approximate cost they can schedule it on your auto policy, think of it like a personal articles rider on your home insurance, same concept. they will charge you more for the modification but it's typically only a couple dollars more a year. the thing that causes the most consumer complaints with insurance is not understanding what's going to happen until it's actually happening to them. I equate it to trying to play a game that you don't know the rules to, eventually you're going to have a moment when you say; "hey unfair, this is Bull$*&t." it isn't, you just didn't understand the rules till something went wrong. Also remember most auto policies pay ACV not replacement so consider the resale value of your mod and if you think it's worth insuring. Not sure, well how much would you pay for a 3-5 year old COI for example?

 

[indawire]

Mods

Back in the day when we raced Motorcycles in the street the mods often cost as much as the bike itself. Yep, it looked cool, may have been faster and provided lots of bragging rights but get your money back? Rule of thumb - you did it for your own head not someone else's so don't expect someone else to pay for what you "needed".

 

[Horsethief]

Some people try to get more for the mods, people just want to try to get as much money back as they can.

Personally, I would not buy a modded vehicle unless I knew the person who modded it, and the mods were mods that I would do, and they were done CORRECTLY.

I was looking at Jeep JK's a while back, and the modded ones seemed to go for a premium. I think that's a symptom of that segment of the crowd that got into the JK's.

A common dealer trick on those is to install cheap lifts, nice looking wheels and tires, and charge a few grand over the value of the parts. Those Jeeps look cool on the lot and get people into the showroom, and there's always that impulse buyer willing to spend an extra 5 grand for 2k worth of wheels and tires. Most times they were also running the base 3.21 gear ratio with 35" tires. A very poor combo.

I definitely wanted a stock Jeep - no angry bird grilles or lightbars for me.

Now that I'm looking at a 4R, I also want low mileage, stock vehicle. Only mod I'll accept is stock sized, better tires.

Most of the time, mods are to subjective and personal to the person who did them to get any resale bump later.

Like that Subaru someone posted - I'm sure they love that car, but It's definitely not my cup of tea. It's too low, and IMO unless it's on a beater drag car, the hood color should match.

Like my Grandfather said, "There's an ass for every seat".

 

[Prommy]

True, however, people that mod their cars are usually better caretakers of vehicles. They are usually enthusiasts that know how to take care of their ride and do so regularly. A lot of people will put parts on their car to make it look a certain way but don't use it the way it's intended with the parts added. Where as some dude that has a vehicle that he gives two ���� about is probably bone stock lol.

Hmm, I might argue to the contrary. People comfortable and mechanically inclined enough to modify their vehicle may be more comfortable pushing it's mechanical limits. With a lift, guard, and off road wheels, I'd drive through more brush, mud, and steeper hills. That's more wear on brakes, bearings, and drive train. On a sedan or coupe, faster speeds means higher RPM and more wear on piston rings, etc.

After all, any performance mods are done to make a vehicle subjectively or objectively "better" and if I had a car that I thought was better, whether it was or not, I would drive it more aggressively than if I were more cautious or less overly-enthusiastic.

With off road vehicles, anything armor-related is either added weight, which means accelerated wear, or there because an operator wants it to be in the way of damage-causing objects.

This isn't all bad, per se, but unless there is a limited supply of stock vehicles, I don't think the demand for pre-modded cars will value them at or above stock price

 

[Ausumm]

Personally,
I drive all of my cars into the ground before I sell them.
So a couple of mods isn't gonna make a major difference either way.
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