MX-3 Resale Value

[Ezee]

I just bought an automatic V4 95 MX-3 off of a friend, he gave me a good deal. I just needed something quick, but I plan on selling it as soon as I get some money for a 5 speed V6 MX-3. Anyway, I was wondering about basic, low cost mods I could do to increase the car value. I already plan on installing an aftermarket stereo system but what mods are going to give me the most value for the lowest price. For the record, there is a big market of wanna be tuners who will buy a car just because it has aftermarket parts, regardless of anything else, so there is little risk I'm going to decrease the value.

[Mx3Kid16]

i want a v-4 hahha

the best way to make it have good resale value...

put an extremly loud exhaust on it.
Cut the springs and dump it on its nutz.
Tear out the interior.
Delete the AC and Power Steering.

look. you just made a $1000 worth about 3000

good job

[Evo_Spec]

if your market is rice tuners, you could get some altezza lights off ebay and put a crappy loud raspy exhaust, they seem to like that, maybe some nice looking cheap rims, that's a start

FYI it's I-4 (inline 4)

[colinsmx3]

Where are you that has a "big market for tuner cars cause they have after market parts??" I know around here if you mod the car.... you decrease the value... and most ppl won't touch it since they look at it as it has probly been beat on....

[wytbishop]

Modding the car, even for performance will lower it's value. The most valuable example of any vehicle is the cleanest, best running stock example available. Fix everything you can in the interior. Get the engine running as smoothly as possible. Make sure the brakes work. Avoid buying a bunch of new parts if you're planning to sell it. Do your best to get the existing parts to work properly.

Clean the living crap out of it and put a realistic price tag on it.

[RS_OBD'oh_2]

I doubt you would ever be able to get back what you put in. These cars are fixed up and pimped because we love them. I know my car is worth much more to me than any other person out there. Do to it what you want, just don't expect the same respect from anyone our side our forum family.

[projectzemx3]

Where are you that has a "big market for tuner cars cause they have after market parts??" I know around here if you mod the car.... you decrease the value... and most ppl won't touch it since they look at it as it has probly been beat on....

so true, even something as light as a aftermarket shift knob is enough to make me think its been beaten on. god forbid it had a crappy sub and some nos seat covers, take it for a test drive and when you start the car the radio is already blasting...

[Ryan]

Stock, clean. Same as everyone else says. I shy straight away from modified cars, because I know people do sketchy work, and I don't want to deal with that. Maybe OEM upgrades, like putting in power windows or locks (properly).

[Nd4SpdSe]

Indeed. Cleanliness and proper maintenance and appearance are the 2 best things you can do for resale. A car with mods but runs like crap and looks like s--- will just scream neglect and abuse.

I've never seen a stereo add value, they're usually thrown in to sweeten the deal or for the simple fact that it's easier than returning it back to stock.

I would say a nice paintjob would increase it's value by alot since most Mx-3's now are old, worn and rusting away, but probably less than what it would cost to actually get it painted unless you got the car for almost nothing. Upgraded suspension that's done properly (not cut/heated springs and stock struts, and properly aligned) with some nice rims would help, but you'll probably spend $1000 on rims and tires, and you may get $500 back extra from the car, at best.

Trust me, and I'm parting out my car, you never get back what you put into a car, it's a lose-lose situation. Only do it for your own personal pleasure and satisfaction. Anything you do what would increase it's value would mean you actually lose money in the end. Anything that's cheap is just that, cheap, and will more likely decrease the car's value.

[beefmobile]

Indeed. Cleanliness and proper maintenance and appearance are the 2 best things you can do for resale. A car with mods but runs like crap and looks like s--- will just scream neglect and abuse.

I've never seen a stereo add value, they're usually thrown in to sweeten the deal or for the simple fact that it's easier than returning it back to stock.

I would say a nice paintjob would increase it's value by alot since most Mx-3's now are old, worn and rusting away, but probably less than what it would cost to actually get it painted unless you got the car for almost nothing. Upgraded suspension that's done properly (not cut/heated springs and stock struts, and properly aligned) with some nice rims would help, but you'll probably spend $1000 on rims and tires, and you may get $500 back extra from the car, at best.

Trust me, and I'm parting out my car, you never get back what you put into a car, it's a lose-lose situation. Only do it for your own personal pleasure and satisfaction. Anything you do what would increase it's value would mean you actually lose money in the end. Anything that's cheap is just that, cheap, and will more likely decrease the car's value.

+1

[Ezee]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help. I think what I might do is buy some cheap, easy to install bolt on parts to attract the ricer crowd, and clean it up real well. If the person who decides to buy it isn't into all of that, I'll replace/remove the parts and sell it to them at a reduced cost. I'll keep the parts for my next car. What would you say is a good price for a 95 with almost no rust, nothing wrong with it, no dings, 180,000 km. On a scale of 1 -10, after I clean it up a bit I'd probably say it is a 7.

[wytbishop]

I really nice 4cyl auto car might get $2500 - 3000 in Alberta. A "7" is probably worth $2k tops. That ricer crap is a total waste of money. You might as well burn it.

[Mx3Kid16]

To tell you the truth. 1,500$ these cars dont seem to sell very high at all.

[Nd4SpdSe]

Post up some pics would help to let us know how the car is.

[umcamara]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help. I think what I might do is buy some cheap, easy to install bolt on parts to attract the ricer crowd, and clean it up real well. If the person who decides to buy it isn't into all of that, I'll replace/remove the parts and sell it to them at a reduced cost. I'll keep the parts for my next car. What would you say is a good price for a 95 with almost no rust, nothing wrong with it, no dings, 180,000 km. On a scale of 1 -10, after I clean it up a bit I'd probably say it is a 7.

As everybody here has said, DO NOT install "easy bolt on parts to attract the ricer crowd". Please, we don't need any more POS Mx-3's around to tarnish the car's image.

Although it may make mine look better by comparison... proceed with the original plan.