Retaining originality versus having the car you want

[MrBonus]

Does anyone else wrestle with this?

I don't plan to do anything that isn't easily reversible but I have 21/28 torsion bars and Von shocks (along with a host of bushings and turbo tie rods) that I bought over a year ago. With the run up in value on these cars, I have been hesitant to alter its originality. I don't think it's going to hurt the value significantly, especially since I will retain all stock parts, and I have no intention of selling anytime soon.

I daily drive my Evo which is substantially sharper and more crisp and I want that same direct response from my toy.

Am I being ridiculous?

[PushingMyLuck]

Do suspension upgrades fall into the mods category?
I'd be more worried about aftermarket wheels, radios, and such.
It's not a collector car, it's a driver's car.

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by PushingMyLuck

Do suspension upgrades fall into the mods category?
I'd be more worried about aftermarket wheels, radios, and such.
It's not a collector car, it's a driver's car.

Certainly to the concourse/collector crowd they would be treated as modifications. My car is not quite concourse quality but could easily be turned into it with a few issues addressed.

But you are correct, it is a driver's car, but I have started to treat it more as a collector's car if only because it has increased in value in the two short years I've owned it.

One way or another, the suspension is going to need to be refreshed and I've already spent $3500 in parts so I feel like it makes more sense to use them rather than to sell them and use OEM parts and the existing torsion bars.

[ficke]

You bring up a good issue I have wrestled with a lot over the years.
The first real time I had a problem with this originality issue was with a 1970 BBC Corvette, at car shows all I got was 'experts' picking it apart, wrong hose clamps, incorrect v-belts. the thing is I wanted to put in an aftermarket radiator because it over heated and a lot more drivability upgrades from original which would all lower the value. I finial just sold the car because I never felt like I owned it, I felt like I always had the future owners wishes in mind and it really never was my car to drive and enjoy like I wanted.
So with that in mind I have never done that again, I buy cars for me, new or used 'classic' realizing they deprecate with use.
People will not think twice about taking a loss on their daily driver but can not take a loss on the toy car?? why is there that disconnect. I do not know as I did it to.
Now be smart about it, if you own a early S but want a hot rod early car sell the S and build the hot rod out of a 912 for instance. Sell the real 914/6 you have and build the track 914/6 out of a 914. In you instance a few bolt on parts will have no effect on price to speak of as they are easily reversible by you on time of resell.

[PushingMyLuck]

You bought the parts, and frankly, you'll be selling to a driver, not a collector.
It's not like you're making it a track car with a rollcage.
I have a feeling your parts will not affect resale at all.

[RacerX1166]

Personally, I'd do it. Perhaps I'm wrong (which will undoubtedly be pointed out), but I look at changing the suspension on a G50, the same way I did on my 993. For a high end driver quality vehicle (such as you and I have), the market seems to appreciate certain mods that improve the driving experience; an upgraded suspension certainly falls into that bucket. PSS10's on a 60k+ mile 993 certainly don't decrease value (whether they increase it is up for debate).

So long as the upgrade doesn't involve cutting, and you keep the original parts, I think you're fine.

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by ficke

You bring up a good issue I have wrestled with a lot over the years.
The first real time I had a problem with this originality issue was with a 1970 BBC Corvette, at car shows all I got was 'experts' picking it apart, wrong hose clamps, incorrect v-belts. the thing is I wanted to put in an aftermarket radiator because it over heated and a lot more drivability upgrades from original which would all lower the value. I finial just sold the car because I never felt like I owned it, I felt like I always had the future owners wishes in mind and it really never was my car to drive and enjoy like I wanted.
So with that in mind I have never done that again, I buy cars for me, new or used 'classic' realizing they deprecate with use.
People will not think twice about taking a loss on their daily driver but can not take a loss on the toy car?? why is there that disconnect. I do not know as I did it to.
Now be smart about it, if you own a early S but want a hot rod early car sell the S and build the hot rod out of a 912 for instance. Sell the real 914/6 you have and build the track 914/6 out of a 914. In you instance a few bolt on parts will have no effect on price to speak of as they are easily reversible by you on time of resell.

I like the way you think. Owning a car for a next owner who you will likely never speak to again after he hands over a check is silly.

I've considered selling it and buying a less desirable 3.2 but dismissed that thought as ridiculous as I have a car in the color and condition I always wanted.

[MrBonus]

Originally Posted by RacerX1166

Personally, I'd do it. Perhaps I'm wrong (which will undoubtedly be pointed out), but I look at changing the suspension on a G50, the same way I did on my 993. For a high end driver quality vehicle (such as you and I have), the market seems to appreciate certain mods that improve the driving experience; an upgraded suspension certainly falls into that bucket. PSS10's on a 60k+ mile 993 certainly don't decrease value (whether they increase it is up for debate).

So long as the upgrade doesn't involve cutting, and you keep the original parts, I think you're fine.

Awesome.

I had PSS10s on my 993 C2S as well and you are correct, it increased the desirability of the vehicle when I did eventually sell.

[COLB]

On anything but a concours car, performance modifications rarely affect value so long as they:

1) Are quality parts, properly installed;
2) Are widely acknowledged as being "upgrades" by the market;
3) Are not visually obvious
4) Don't undermined the "streetability" of the car

You wouldn't put Carrera chain tensioners on a concours car, but on the other 99.999% of cars, they are considered a desirable upgrade. This may not be so with early S cars, for for an impact bumper it is a no brainer.

Wider torsion bars in indiscernible, and even a concurs judge wouldn't know they were different. If it isn't cosmetic (i.e., it actually does something other than make the care heavier) and it is reversible without welding, do what you want.

[johnvan8]

Don't get trapped into the price frenzy. Just enjoy YOUR car. Don't think of how much it's worth today, just think of how much (or little) you paid for it 2 years ago. Did you buy it as an "investment"? If yes, then stop driving it immediately and only warm it up once a week to keep all the seals moist. Or did you buy it to drive and enjoy?
Money just has a way of sucking the fun out of everything, don't let it happen to your Porsche!
I vote for do what you like (well, except for stupid mods like putting a 959 body kit on it!) and the heck with originality just for the sake of getting a couple extra bucks at resale.
Besides, your proposed mods may actually be more desirable to potential buyers who understand the performance benefits.

[techweenie]

I looked at a car for a prospective buyer a year and a half ago and it had had the original engine hugely upgraded (+60 HP) with nothing visible from the outside. Well, except the Carrera tensioners, which I would not have done, had it been my car. Bottom line: it enhanced the value of the car greatly -- maybe +$10-15K because of the driving dynamics.

Other, visible mods can be done if they are reversible. People will sometimes overlook roll bar mounting holes, which would be an exception to the 'reversible' rule.

I know of a pristine '66 911 that has its drivetrain in a case in the owner's garage and a 2.7/915 in the car. I doubt the car would be worth any more if the original drivetrain was installed.

[PushingMyLuck]

Just be happy you have a price buffer if you sell. The price could very well go back to prices you paid 2 years ago after the next recession. It's happened in almost every other segment of discretionary luxury purchases.

I love what ficke said about his Vette. Who wants to worry about correct hose clamps?

[bhmkv]

I dont think tasteful mods really change the value much. Guess it depends on car and miles also. If its a super low mileage show car you may want to leave it alone. If its a fun weekend car I wouldnt hesitate to do suspension mods.

[Ronnie's.930]

Originally Posted by MrBonus

Does anyone else wrestle with this?

I don't - I mod however I see fit (only "check" to that is if I can, or can not, afford what I want to do) and am not concerned about how resale value is being affected - car is 1987 930. If I could pay for it, I would be building a 600HP monster engine as we speak (some day!).

I haven't done any body mods (except for the center-out exhaust and wastegate tips, and removal of the gay rear wiper assembly), and don't plan to, because I like how it looks in stock trim (including the DD bumper tits) and think that any wheels other than Fuchs, or good Fuchs copies look wack, so no Snoop Dogg wheel mods, either.

The engine, fuel system, ignition system, suspension, a/c system, interior, etc. are all fair game to me.

[Matt Monson]

I wrestle with this. In your instance I wouldn't think twice about it. I believe in maintenance that improves the performance of these cars. What you want to do is totally reversible.

I'm in the process of install a TRE harness bar and period looking Cobra seats and 4 point harnesses with RS carpets in my 912. Sport Purposes look. Again reversible and after the pan was replaced I had no choice but to do some sort of carpets.

I will be putting full SC front suspension and brakes on it too. going to restore the original stuff at some point but for now I want a car that I will love to drive and be safe in. I can always restore it later if I want to sell.

My little 2.5l engine project is a bigger debate. part of me wants to make my Bumble Bee into a 914-6. Far less reversible project. And some would argue a collectible car I would be devaluing. If I find a decent 911 Targa chassis before I finish building the engine then my decision is made for me. Otherwise in six months or so I might be the guy bumping this thread and asking for further input.

[mreid]

Both of my 911's (1974 S and 1984 Carrera) have extensive mods. Both were high mileage plain janes with original engines, worn out suspensions and brakes, and dried up interiors. Both are now wide bodies with 3.6 engines. I say unless it is very rare (930, pre-74, factory widebody, etc.), hack away!

Also, all the mods you've discussed are wear items that have to get replaced any way. Life's too short to worry!

[MrBonus]

Thank you all for your valued input. I'm going to get everything installed soon.

[pors1968]

For daly use reversible mod is almost a must Mostly on safe side like on SWB these A arm square tube they rust inside tube and break it nothing wrong to have better brake better seat .