will upgraded suspension hurt value?

[911dean]

I have an '84 Carrera with 76k miles and very original, unabused and overall very nice. I bought the car with visions of upgrading the suspesion with Rebel racing bushings, sanders tbars, smart racing sway bars,ect... and the addition of 17" wheels with corner balance. The more I get to know the car I'm starting to wonder if I should. Would just like some opinions.

[full_garage]

As of today upgraded ANYTHING on an 80s 911 will increase value just slightly- The obvious exceptions being gaudy ground effects, aftermarket wheels, boy-racer stuff and overblown stereo installs.

Suspension and exhaust upgrades will usually make the car just slightly more desirable. Track car upgrades almost always make a street car more difficult to sell- so don't overdo it.

BUT- You'll NEVER get your investment back- that money is poured into a black hole and gone forever.

In 20 years the remaining super low mileage Carreras will be $100K cars any ANY mods will detract from value. For now- enjoy yourself.

[Matt Monson]

That has always been my favorite 3.2l Carrera color of all times. Nice car.

Things like sway bars and torsion bars really fall into the realm of "maintenance" items in a lot of people's eyes. If you don't upgrade them so much that the car isn't unpleasant to drive on the street and just becomes more sporting, it will neither hurt nor really help value. Just increase the fun factor during your ownership.

If you change the wheels, do NOT sell the stock ones. Aftermarket wheels are a bit different than say putting Bilsteins on a car that came stock with Boges. Wheels very much get into taste and push you farther away from the originality thing. The nice thing is aftermarket wheels are always really easy to sell if you return the car to the stock wheels and want to sell it.

[Macroni]

Funny to think we have reached the point of appreciating the value of a carrera. I would temper your desires to modify the car unless you are going full monty racing. If that is the case there are plenty of inexpensive modified cars out there.

Your car looks great!

[roadsterswap]

Leave it alone and enjoy it. There are plenty around that have been modified.

[Az911]

Did you buy the car as an investment or did you buy it to drive and enjoy?

[911dean]

Full-Garage: I don't expect to get back investment in upgrades. Part of owning a hobby car for me is working on it. I think I need 2 911s one to work on and one to drive. I'm thinking 22/29 maybe 30 for torsion bars.I don't know if this is over doing it. As far as aftermarket wheels I like fikse. I like the fuchs alot but 8 or 9s are expensive with dwindling tire options. I'm new to 911s and have only had mine since late last summer. I do know that I'm hooked on them and should have bought one years ago.

Matt: The color combo is why I bought this one. I might of even paid a little too much for it. I just had to have it. Plus I like nice survivor cars. I wouldn't call it concourse but a very nice driver.

Az911: I bought to drive, enjoy and hot rod. I'm starting to question the hot rod part, It's really pretty nice and original minus a head unit and door speakers. I'm inclined to hot rod it. I've got a 5 year plan in mind. I want it to appear relatively stock.

Dean

[VincentVega]

Did you buy the car as an investment or did you buy it to drive and enjoy?

No kidding. These are pretty simple cars to work on, everything you mentioned can be reversed if the next guy wants to. Your call if you want to worry about the next guy or enjoy your car.

Have fun

[Macroni]

Originally Posted by 911dean

I'm starting to question the hot rod part

I have two cars a full on 1973 hotrod w/ a 1988 3.2L, upgraded carrera suspension and Turbo brakes. My second car is a relatively stock 1969 911S all factory except for the interior. It is a car I bought in pieces and had restored. My observations of the two cars are as follows. They have both cost me the same. I use them both for spirited pleasure driving and informal rallies. The more I tinker with the S to get it as the factory specified, the better the car performs. It is a compelling and invigorating ride. Happily, I can get almost every dollars I put in it out. This is due to it being kept stock. My hotrod with its hand formed esposito fenders and perfectly (being defined as all support systems upgraded appropriately) installed 3.2L motor will only return 50 to 75% on every dollar invested. My perspective would be keep the upgrades invisible and period appropriate; suspension, slightly bigger Fuchs wheels, sport seats, steering wheel. Then hold on because that car will exceed every expectation you have! The last picture is Paul Kramer's 84 Carrera. The car is mechanically bone stock except for the rally motif and graphics. It is one of the fastest rally cars in Southern CA.

1973 3.2L Hotrod




1969S


Paul Kramer's