discussion Is it worth modifying an older car to be a bit more modern?

[Jean55]

If you drive an older vehicle, would it be worth adding infotainment or other modern amenities to it (not performance but just convenience)

 

[Deleted member 121354]

If its convenience, then the question is more, what it the convenience worth to you?

 

[TwistedKnyte]

Depends on the person and depends on how much cash... I dont care either way but if your more of a purist or want to be judge by such people dont do it.... if you dont care go for it lol

 

[User_124703]

It depends on your needs and wants.
I for myself spent thousands in my decades old car. I love it and people with the same car and same spleen appreciate it, but others don't, they just shake their heads.
The money is gone, if you have to sell it. No one wants to pay more, because you modded it.
So do it, if you want to. Not cause someone else said so.

 

[User_125416]

Usually not worth it. More modern cars outperform older cars in the way comfort and amenities on such a level that to modernize the old car would just be a a money sink. I will say it depends on how old said car is.

 

[Bottomdweller]

Depends, can you do the work yourself, or have a friend help out. A custom shop cost would be pretty high, so buying new would be easier/cheaper. Doing it yourself can be rewarding but your doing it for yourself, no matter what you sell for it would be undervalued. I added a infotainment system, theft, backup cam and led glow to a 25 year old truck, for me it was worth it but the time spent fucking around was brutal because NOTHING actually fits. I wouldn't recommend doing this to a daily driver but if you love the car, give it some love.

 

[Peter9999]

Option 1:
If you are short on money: You always choose the neewer and lets call it "Discount Car"....

Option 2:
If Money is no Problem. You take the car you love, and give everything to that car.

I would love to be Option 2. Take a real old and cool car and customize it. But the truth is. I have to go with Option 1.

 

[User_124703]

I would love to be Option 2. Take a real old and cool car and customize it.

It will drain all your money...

 

[fernandotorres]

Country conditions, permits, modifications you can make without disturbing your neighbors, I think it can be done. The economic situation you are in is one of the most important factors. If you can make your old car much better in the end when you waste it, and then use it for fun and still be able to get rid of it financially when you get bored, I see no reason not to do it.

 

[mazep]

Why not? It's your car and do what will make it better for you

 

[Ant28jsp]

like many before, everything depends on you, your desires, your needs, your means. If you maintain your car well it's probably worth it as it will last over time otherwise maybe look at another option

 

[User_98650]

I think others have said its worth it if you like the vehicle. Or maybe you're just stuck with it for the time being and its cheaper to add some modern amenities than it is to purchase another vehicle. Though I think the age of the vehicle also plays a big role in this, like if its a older car that might be considered a classic vs a car from the last two or three decades, one is going to be able to be modernized with these amenities a bit easier and bit cheaper.

 

[jkj34]

If you drive an older vehicle, would it be worth adding infotainment or other modern amenities to it (not performance but just convenience)

A new truck is up to 110,000 even a work truck 2wd is 35+ grand

I recently got a 2009 50 thousand on the odometer heated garage for 10yrs of its life no rust $11,500 i put another good 8 down on a modern 3.5 inch deck spray liner backrack sprayed the frame and bumper to bumper brakes/tune up/fuel pump basically anything that needed work and added trim/mud flaps stainless steel. Yeah at the end it was alot but its spark/gas v8 i added stuff i needed no ev crap no software microtrasactions and cheap to repair like the rear disc breaks and parts being everywhere.

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When a light goes out on a 2009 replace the bulb on a modern car replace the entire premade one of a kind led panel.

Oh i forgot just got a light bar for it also 2yrs later but got one on a good sale

All new vehicles have way to many electronics on ev's you have 0 manual fallback people have died because everything is computer controlled even breaks get a software bug your dead. Did you know new chevy vehicles have digital speedometers that need software updates? they can just die nothing like not knowing any info as you travel down a highway. then you got monthly payments on way to much.


I say and will always say its cheaper to get a old vehicle that you need/like that is in good shape then fix/mod it to you're liking if you do not have cash upfront its easier to pay off the bank then a car dealership.

 

[User_124703]

I say and will always say its cheaper to get a old vehicle that you need/like that is in good shape then fix/mod it to you're liking if you do not have cash upfront its easier to pay off the bank then a car dealership.

If you can do it yourself.
If you have to pay a shop to do it. It´ll get very fast expensive.
But I get, what you say. I love my classic van... But cheap... Only with DIY...

 

[User_124703]

DIy so far when it comes done to inspection passes and insurance

But compare your cost to buying a new van 44 grand for a 2wd pos dodge

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But with it, you have a (not a whole) decade nothing than normal service and no issues.
With an old car there is always something to fix. And sometimes it won´t drive anymore out of nothing cause something is broken.
You get, what I´m saying? If you can fix it yourself and only pay for the towing. OK. Worth it. But in an high wage country... Where a little body work and a big service cost you a month salary. Nah...
If you don't need the car for your business, it's a completely different calculation...

 

[siegberd]

older for good looks and class
modern for comfort and security

 

[JadedSkywalker]

Depends on if it is a driver or a classic that changing anything effects the value.

 

[darkstealler]

Sometimes people modifying their older car to look equal with modern cars

 

[s45636526]

Yeah, its preferred for me. I see a lot of new models coming with subscription stuff so I'm sticking with older cars. I like to own every part of my car.

 

[forbiddendream]

I find it cheaper to update my older car then paying an arm and leg for a newer car. Even used cars are over priced right now