Depreciation or appreciation (Facelift and interior lift and engine upgrade)
I just bought a 280GE 84'
The car is still in its original condition.
I bought the car with the intention of updating the look of the overall car (The same usual Brabus lool front , rear and sides) , Upgrade interior to a mordern leather look and at some point install a Chevy Ls series V8 engine....
My Question is :- If the car is all original wouldn't the car depreciate if I change/modify it from its original design?
Or does it not really make a difference with G's ?
Thanks in advance!
First question is - how much is it worth now? If the answer is £3,000 then you aren't going to depreciate it much whatever you do. If the answer is £12,000 then that's probably because of its "original condition" and if you change that then it is likely to depreciate because of the changes (they won't be to everyone's taste). And some of those "upgrades" you mention don't come cheap, especially if you are getting someone else to do them for you, and you probably won't get back the cost if you want to sell (it will still be a 1984 280GE)
Next question is - why did you buy it? If it's so you can customise it to how you want it so you can get even more enjoyment out of it for a LONG time then what does any depreciation matter?
Recommendation - enjoy it as it is for a while before making a decision.
For what it would cost you to upgrade your 460 to the spec you want (including the LS engine !!) you could sell your G and buy a LHD V8 G500 from Germany for around the same amount.
It would also have the benefit of still being a 'proper' G.
Not really interested in LHD - Something doesn't sit right with driving one lol
I can understand left hookers are not an option.
Molesting an original example is also not an option.
It is what it is and if as you say it is a good example then don't mess with her.
The naughty little chinese kits are often badly fitted to a car which is rotten as a pear and they are used to mask issues and sell on to those whom dream of being 50cent !!! (you cannot be 50cent for 50 pence !!! simples)
Let it live and love it !
(I've got one as well and the jesting about the original Burberry seats (which we all know they ain't by the way) go down far better then LED lights and 22" rims)
Well I say upgrade away
- 3 Litre 24 valve turbo engine,
- 6 Speed Manual Gearbox
- 4.1 Front and rear diffs
- G500 front brakes
- Disk rears
- Leather Seats & Wood Kit
- 2016 G55 Bumpers front and rear
- 463 Front end
- 463 Fenders
- 463 Lights
- 16" Astaroth wheels & 265 BFG AT/KOs
Will cruise at 90 if you so desire or do 26MPG if you want to take it easy, and yes for what I spent doing it I COULD have bought a lefty 500..... but that wouldn't run on chip fat
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I originally bought the car to upgrade it overall like stated - Once I saw n bought the car it dawned upon me that it seems like everybody if upgrading the look of their old G's.....The car is worth about £11k in great condition (Need to rust proof under side) , just had a new paint spray etc (Minor respray on front bumper n grill to freshen up look etc)
But your right I'm doing it too enjoy it then what does depreciation really matter in that context - I am not looking to sell it afterwards either! Drive it as is till I form a concrete decision