Does eco modding increase resale value?

[Cobb]

Myself and JimE were going back and forth today about gutting and making an insight a real mpg hog. I myelf am going to keep my honda and if I do sell it, it will be to a mpg junkie, someone I know personally vs a dealer or car max. JimE says either way it will hurt resale or trade in.

Who is right? You think an Insight with either a phev kit, mima and other proven mpg mods would fair well in a private sale. I know when it comes to electronics, rear seat monitors, big speakers, after market radios are typically removed at most dealers and they lower your trade in value. Some mom n pop car dealers will do either, but if its a good install they will leave it and mark the value up.

Just wondering....I see more opportunities to remove more weight up front of my car and increase aero. JimE has a full legal size piece of paper with items and estimated weight and half of a second page.

[kaypee171]

Just depends. If you find the right buyer it could increase value, but as a general rule, most mods that are not easily reversed lessen resale value because even if the buyer likes the mod, the prospective owner does not know whether the install was done properly.