GR Yaris:Relationship between Resale Value and Customization

The following is Rikutsu-Kone-Taro‘s personal opinion based on the perspective of Rikutsu Kone Taro. If it can contribute to making good judgments at your own discretion, I would be delighted.

The main point of this page is that excessive or irrational customization (modification) can decrease the resale value, similar to accident-damaged cars.

Originally, the term “resale value” refers to the value of a normal car when selling it in the used car market, and I am aware of the perspective and values of enjoying customization (modification) without disregarding resale value.

However, on this page, I deliberately focus on resale value, positioning the purchase price by used car dealers as resale value, and expressing my opinion on the impact of customization (modification) on the resale value.

Many years ago, I witnessed a conversation where a representative from a major used car trading company stated, “Cars with excessive or irrational customization (modification) are essentially the same as accident-damaged cars, encountering accidents due to excessive or irrational customization (modification).” The definition of what is excessive and irrational is, of course, a subjective matter, but this statement by the representative made even “Rikutsu Kone Taro” raise an eyebrow.

First of all, what is the difference between repair and customization? I started thinking about that.

In terms of fixing problems, repair and customization might objectively be the same.

Excessive or irrational customization (modification) is an act that damages the performance of the car, so in that sense, it seems similar to an accident.

Therefore, customization (modification) should be done carefully.

“Rikutsu Kone Taro” doesn’t believe that normal is always the best, and he understands the desire to modify a car you like even more.

However, standing on the premise of utilizing limited funds effectively, I think it’s not easy to customize (modify) without considering resale value.

In the first place, customization (modification) reflecting the preferences of ordinary people is highly unlikely to increase resale value.

If Ken Block is driving a car in a video that has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on YouTube, enthusiasts might pay a high price for it, but Ken Block is not an ordinary person.

Therefore, if the desire to customize (modify) a car (or bike) you like more starts bubbling up inside you, please be cautious.

It could lead to a situation where you have just lost money unnecessarily.

Don’t be swayed by the excitement of magazines or parts dealers; discern what you truly desire. If someone says, “Thinking about the price when selling? Are you really going to mess with your car?” it’s probably just the industry’s ploy.

Well, if you can agree with the customization (modification) content beforehand and are satisfied with the outcome, that’s a great success.

If you agreed beforehand but are not satisfied with the result, consider the expenditure as a learning experience to be applied in the next opportunity.

If you spent money without agreeing beforehand, that’s truly unfortunate.

If you want to try to recoup some money, removing the installed parts and selling them individually might result in a somewhat favorable financial outcome. However, removing parts can be quite challenging.