Should I keep it stock?

[syclone1157]

I have a 96' B/W GTS with 6800 miles. The car is almost flawless. It has the original tires and looks great. My question is will doing some upgrades such as exhaust, headers, throttle bodies, intake and shifter take away from the value of my car? It doesn't even have the recalls done on it, such as the frame and window seal. It did have the O2 sensor recall done. I am thinking of preserving it with low miles. So hypothetically if it were 10 years down the road and at a Barrett-Jackson auction would it be worth even more if it were totally stock without the recalls even done on it? Thanks in advance for your replies.

 

[tim721]

I am thinking of preserving it with low miles.

then i would keep it stock.

besides, you wouldn't be driving it enough to even enjoy the mods!

 

[Ron]

I see no reason to not do the recalls. 10 years from now you won't be able to do them if you wanted to.

Beyond that, I believe you can keep the resale value up with moderate use anyway. It's not a ****** with 6,800 miles..... Would a Hemi Cuda be worth less today if it had 26,800 miles versus 6,800? 68 original miles would be another matter.

Also, as long as you keep the original parts and have the ability to return to 100% stock, basic mods should be no problem. Store the original tires for show only use if you like for that extra bit of originality.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I wouldn't go crazy modding a ten-year-old eventual classic.

But I wouldn't leave it sitting around preserving it as an investment either.

 

[PDCjonny]

And if you are going to actually drive it, change those rocks you are driving around on to some decent new rubber. Those are nine years old.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Since it sounds like you have it more for an investment, I'd leave it stock.

 

[Eric H]

I say Drive it like its a lease!

if you bought it for an investment, wash it throw a cover on it and leave it alone.....me, i bought my viper because i enjoy driving it, im not really conerned with what it wil lbe worth 20 years from now.

 

[thebigsnake]

I like my Viper(or any other make) to be all Viper. Not some Viper and some aftermarket parts.
Its a fact that mods reduce resale value, except for insurance settlements.
However I do have a soft spot for "cafe racers", if they're done right.

 

[HOGGG]

Mods,Mods,and more Mods. Enjoy the car. Remember it's not an investment. The V-10 will be crying under the cover.

Hogg

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Drive it like you stole it. Trust me, the car will love you for it.

Invest in Exxon Mobil, 10 year from now those stock will be worth more than the car. Plus, every time you stump on it, you'll be contributing the the stock's gain

 

[syclone1157]

Thanks guys. I think that you have really opened my eyes. Everyone has some very valid poiints. I think that I will do the mods that can be returned to stock. Andrew I can't agree more, I bought ( Valero ) at 45.00 last year and it is doing great. I think that I will just drive the tires off of it instead, new tires that is. Oh yeah, I will also go ahead and do the recalls. Who would you reccomend in the Dallas area? Thanks again guys for the enlightenment. I almost feel like a Milwaukee beer should fall on my head.
Martin

 

[onerareviper]

I see no reason to not do the recalls. 10 years from now you won't be able to do them if you wanted to.

Beyond that, I believe you can keep the resale value up with moderate use anyway. It's not a ****** with 6,800 miles..... Would a Hemi Cuda be worth less today if it had 26,800 miles versus 6,800? 68 original miles would be another matter.

Also, as long as you keep the original parts and have the ability to return to 100% stock, basic mods should be no problem. Store the original tires for show only use if you like for that extra bit of originality.

Yeah, what he said....

 

[joe117]

Don't drive it with those old tires. Save them if you like. They might be part of the "pure stock" picture some day.

The important thing is that you get some new tires that will give you some traction.
You have no idea what a difference it will make.

Actually, those hard old tires might even be considered dangerous. Vipers get away from guys all the time. Old tires put you much closer to being one of those guys.

Keep it stock?
Well, talk to some of the Vette guys about that. It is a big deal to have every little thing as pure stock as the day it was driven home.
Don't ever throw away anything that comes off of the car.
Mods? Isn't it fast enough as it is? Are you going to race it?
Can you use the power it has now?

Drive it?
Of course, drive it all you want. As someone else pointed out, if it becomes a valuable classic, it wont matter if it has 50k miles on it.
Well, it wont matter much.

 

[2MANYTOYS]

Mod it!!!!!

 

[TOOOFST]

update and mod everything,you might be dead in ten years!It'll never be a original cobra $$$ cow.That year loves mods.

 

[ViperJoe]

I would say that the majority of folks looking for a used Viper want a ****** snake.....there are only a select few that would look at or buy a modded car.

Years down the road....10-20.....people will ONLY want a STOCK Viper. At Barrett Jackson, that's what brings the big bucks.

Now, do what YOU want to do, and KEEP all of your STOCK parts!

Good Luck!

 

[vipeuup]

Lifes too short

 

[Big Medicine]

If I were you, I'd mod it.

Maybe paint some dolphins on the hood too.

 

[GTS Bruce]

Mod it.Make it your own.Save the original parts if you want to stick them on later. GTS Bruce