Do mods increase or decrease value?

Hello all, I'm just kicking around an idea, and was wondering; do the mods we do like lifts, aftermarket roof racks, etc, increase or decrease resale value? My question specifically relates to newer vehicles. I can imagine that on an older car, people would like it tricked out a bit, but when it comes to a very new (less than a year old) vehicle, do people pay more (trade-in or private sale) if the vehicle is as close as possible to stock, or will you get more with a lift kit installed, nicer tires, stuff like that?

I absolutely love my 4Runner, but since I may be living in it, my brother is trying to convince me to go the Sprinter route instead.

 

Don't expect to get what you put into it back.

Also depending on how extreme the mods is it makes the buying group smaller. But could also ask more for the small group that wants those mods done.

 

Unfortunately this is a very subjective question man.

I think the most well rounded answer to it is that the more you modify your vehicle to suite your own taste, the more you reduce the pool of folks who would be likely to purchase it used. I think it holds true for each and every one of us, that when looking at builds we have posted on here, we find ourselves liking some aspects of a build, but thinking "I probably would have done that differently".

I'd much rather buy a stock used vehicle and mod it to my liking, than pick up someone else's fully modded 4R.

 

100% agree with this. We are all very individual in choices we make for our modifications. The more you add, the less likely it is a future owner will like those choices let alone be willing to pay for them and some mods will raise ref flags for potential buyers. I would rather start from stock.

 

Just depends on if the buyer is willing to pay but generally they do not increase value. Also some may decrease value like a vipederp cut.

 

If I were to buy a used car;

- factory spec is my highest money offer. (Except for trims like TRD Pro with Fox where I will look at mileage so I have idea how long I can use before replacing shocks. Also for 4Runners with XREAS & KDSS I worry about leaks and rust issues, hence pay less than regular 4Runners)
- if the car still maintains factory look but has high end suspension like King, Fox DSC, OME BP-51 with reasonable offset wheels and reasonably bigger tires like 285/70R17 with common tires its still keep my interest
- if I see a 4runner with viper cuts, body mount chop any cut and welding job, 35in tires will loose my interest would like to pay below factory looking used car price.
- if I see a 4Runner with heavy mods like a super charger I would go to a mode where I think "you better pay me to take over this 4Runner". Pretty much if power-train is modified its a no go for me.

 

Thanks for the responses, folks. Everyone was pretty in line with what I was thinking. For the record, I'm in the same boat that I'd prefer to buy as close to stock as possible myself. I guess what I was specifically wondering, is if dealerships/ buyers were likely to give you a reduced price for the vehicle because it had some mods on it. I knew for a fact I wouldn't be replacing the cost I put into the mods, I was more concerned with reducing the value from new. So far none of my mods are extreme, or even really permanent (Victory roof rack, Gobi ladder, and 2" OME lift kit). I just wanted to be wary of a salesman saying he would buy it for $2k less than KBB trade-in value because I had done a few mods to it or something.

 

Also most loans don't recognize the mods. So if its above KBB with little or no down the bank might not approve the loan for the buyer. If they don't have enough cash.

I bet dealer will try to bring you down just over the fact he will probably sit on it longer than a stock one.

 

If that were the case, it would probably be best for me to return it to OEM condition and try to make a buck or two on the parts on FB marketplace of craigslist.

 

You can list those parts here, too. What are you looking to get rid of?

 

IMO it will decrease the general resale value because you will loose people that don't want lifted and aftermarket stuff and the problems it can have (like having a pool at your home). But that's not to say you cant find the right person that will love it, just may take time selling it.

The more important thing is you may be living in it. I have did this during covid and I needed some mods to make it work. Like leveling the back so its flat for sleeping, interior constant power for charging and a fan plus a slide out table for cooking. Even added some additional lights for late night camping arrivals. Sleeping in the 4R is fine, but it sucks when it rains, so a Van would be the better option long term. I personally love the 4Runner for long term overlanding.

 

Ha! The downside of selling online is always shipping. Many vehicle mods are very heavy, bulky items (think shocks, roof racks, ladders, etc), that would cost a fortune in shipping compared to what someone is willing to pay for them.

But on a serious note; although getting a Sprinter is tempting, I've driven Toyotas (two 4Runners and two Tacos) for the last 23 years, and I'm head over heels in love with my new 4Runner. Selling it as I'm just getting it exactly how I like it would not be an easy decision. In a couple months I'll have a better idea of what my living situation is going to look like, and that's when the final decision will have to be made on whether to keep it or sell it.

 

Yeah, those are valid points. I have a 1500W Goal Zero, and I removed the seat bases on the 60% side for my pad, and installed a couple cargo cases on the roof rack for storage, but it's still a very tight fit for me and my 60lb pup and her crate. It's a comfortable platform for traveling and car camping, but as you said, for full-time living, it would be pretty darn brutal. So the choice I'll have to make is do I want to live in it full time, or do I want to have a small, cheap apartment and simply use it for lots of travel. My future finances will play a role in that decision, and it's still too early to tell.

 

True. But there are probably members local to you.

OTOH, I don't blame you for wanting to keep it. You could build a sleeping platform with storage underneath and see if it's sufficient. I'm pretty comfortable sleeping in mine, but I'm short.

Edit: I just saw that you already have a platform.

 

I did a 20 day mountain biking road trip out west from Maryland and I slept inside the 4R for 17 of the 20 nights and I thought it worked out perfectly for my needs. My buddy joined me / tagged along with a new Mercedes Revel van and it was awesome with all the bells and whistles ($150,000 end of year discount price). He had everything he needed and my set up was pretty spartan, but I was very comfortable and could get up and be moving in a matter of minutes, easier to park and hide. It took a little longer to get his Mothership up and moving. I don't have his budget, but I preferred the simplicity of the 4R. I am a firm believer in the KISS Theory - Keep It Simple Stupid. I completely removed the rear seats and have no intentions of putting them back. Now having a 60 lb dog would complicate things a bit! Best case scenario - travel along with someone that has a Sprinter Van (the Mothership).

 

You hit the nail on the head. Camping and traveling with the 4Runner is ideal. It's the living out of it that is daunting. I know there are people currently doing it (I follow a couple "4Runner life" people on YouTube) but carrying all your worldly possessions in a 4Runner is not easy. More importantly, not having someplace to actually stand up straight inside, or sit in out of the weather for days on end, would be even harder. Since moving to Colorado a year ago, I have greatly downsized my possessions already...everything I own is in one bedroom of a house...and not a crowded bedroom . I find the minimalistic life appealing but having it all in/on a 4Runner is a whole new level.

 

I would. Dealers gotta make money too. Just don't let them make it off you. They got enough others to do that for them.

 

Best answer you will get is... YES.

 

Car camping / travelling in a 4R works great when flying solo. As far as living in a 4R and with a 60 lb dog (for how long) would be interesting. A Suburban would work better. I have a 2002 Suburban that would be perfect, but with 240,000 miles and 21 years old I was reluctant to invest in it. Run it til it dies at this point - my son has it in Montana while in college.

How long do you plan to live in the 4R? Doing this for the adventure or out of necessity? Sounds like fun!

 

Yes.

The very short version is that both my living situation and my financial situation are in extreme flux right now, and in 3-4 months, I will have a WAY better idea of what I can and can't afford. In the moment, the idea of living on the road would be for a somewhat extended period of time, like at least 1-2 years (if not longer). At this point it would still be a choice to live out of my vehicle, but it has the potential of becoming a non-choice rapidly. Haha I'm not intentionally being cryptic, the full answer would literally take pages of explanation.

 

After months of overlanding in my 4R I needed something to stand and do things in when it rained. Rain is an insanity maker with out a van. Soo, keep the 4R and get one of these for when it rains so you are not all balled up in your 4R with the dog all day. Just keep in mind the 4R will limit you to doing off road park camping/living. If it becomes a full time thing I cant see anything but a Van working because you will need to stay at a Walmart or some random side road at some point if living full time.

 

I was going to simply say decrease but then I read this comment. Sums it up quite well.

The only thing I might add from my own buying experiences is that the more modded it is the more weary I am. My concern is that they rode the piss out of it and there are underlying issues the seller either isn't disclosing or doesn't even realize.

 

Yes, mods decrease book value. Put in a stock vehicle and look at the numbers. Now change it to aftermarket suspension and see how much it drops.

 

In my eyes, it reduces value as a whole, unless it’s a very special build of a very special vehicle, done by someone known to have skills. I dont think 4runners fall in that category.

I would only do mods because you want them, because it’s how you want it to look, or to improve it’s functioning in a particular area.

 

It really depends. Certain modifications can increase value. But it depends on the vehicle.

On a 4runner. Id say any modification decrease value.

 

Pretty much everyone is saying what I'm thinking.

It definitely doesn't help with trade in value. It's possible that the right buyer will pay extra for a modded vehicle. But, a lot of people would prefer to buy a stock vehicle and choose their own modifications.

Funny story; when I was in my early 20's (2001-2002-ish), a family friend (Dad's Friend's kid) had a 1st gen Tacoma, heavily modified. Supercharged, big lift, MT's, etc. He had somewhere around $18K into it. He traded it in on a Lexus IS. They offered him $19.5K. they said the mods made it harder for them to sell. Then, when he asked for a discount on the Lexus, the salesman literally pointed and said something to the tune of "well, there's the door. And, if you find one at that price, buy me one, too".

 

Well unless you find your exact equal to buy it.....decreases street value.

In the car world, you don't buy modded. Only stock. Don't buy Someone else's problems.

Me personally, i contemplate a mod i was going to do myself. So there's that.

 

In trying to decide between a Sprinter and a 4Runner, there is a lot of research to do and a lot of math. The 4Runner is finished inside, while any Sprinter that makes sense financially vs the 4Runner is going to be a stripped tin can inside. To make the Sprinter a better option you’d have to build it out inside which takes time, money, and skill. Otherwise you’ll be constantly tripping over all your stuff in the van. Have you considered a roof top tent for the 4Runner? How would tour K9 feel about you sleeping upstairs while he/she slept in the crate downstairs? Finally, when your circumstances improve, if you have a Sprinter you’ll have to get rid of it in favor of a more practical vehicle. If you have a 4Runner when that time comes, we’ll, you’ll have a 4Runner.

 

I feel pretty funky if I don't have a shower every day.
How about you???

 

Those are good points. I've decided against a RTT for the 4Runner after giving it a lot of thought when planning out my build. The roof rack cargo space is a lot more valuable to me than a sleeping area, especially when I can sleep in an even warmer area inside the truck (and also more stealth, since many times it would be in a town or city parking lot). I also briefly considered a trailer, either one of those tear-drop kinds or just even a cargo trailer, but I've kind of ruled those out as well (but not completely). The benefit of a van vs the 4Runner, as I see it, is the livability. When I go out hiking, or in the rain, or snow, or dust, etc, and come back to my "home" if I get in the 4Runner, I'd either be climbing on my bed, or in the driver's seat (as would my muddy pup haha), and then changing in a cramped space into dry clothing. In a van, the increased space would be worth its weight in gold in anything other than perfect weather. Like I said, for traveling, I'd honestly prefer the 4Runner, but if it came to actually living full time, I don't think there would even be a comparison. But in the long run, I'd far rather own my 4Runner than a Sprinter, like you said. In the end, I think it will come down to whether I decide to make living on the road a full-time thing or not.