Dollars and Sense, Stock vs Modified Options

[Gunn1]

The Suby, V8, 6 conversions and other mods currently being done on the 914 are all interesting alternatives and additions to the stock make up/characteristics of the car. But coming from a dollars & cents, and return on investment angle wouldn't a nicely done stock 914 make the most sense? After looking and comparing the Sold "Stock" or mostly Stock restorations and the Sold mild to highly modified cars and the prices they are selling for, it just doesn't seem like all the additional $'s spent on modifying a car are worth it when it comes to resale end of things.

Is there something I am missing?

[iankarr]

Yep. it's almost a universal law of this hobby that you don't get back the money you put in. But most people who modify their cars do it for their own pleasure...and that's return enough.

For that matter, doing a concours restoration is no guarantee you'll make a profit when sold...or even get your money back. Especially when factoring labor into the equation.

In my experience, the best way to "invest" is to buy the best car you can afford (without paying above market), keep it stock and in good shape, and enjoy the hell out of it for a long time. It turns out that time itself yields the best ROI. If you're lucky and catch it right (911s 5 years ago) you may not have to wait long.