Terryg Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 So having owned my car for about 18months I have, upto now, only changed very easily reversible things like wheels and GT3 console delete or things that can't be seen such as short shift kit., new radio speakers etc. I am now undecided about a couple of mods that while not irreversible, would be very noticeable and not something to change quickly, notable a Momo steering wheel and 997 seats. So I know for many of you even these swaps would be done without a thought, particularly the steering wheel, but the seats in particularly may require altering wiring and seeing as the new ones are heated, running new wiring switches etc. So, I just want opinion on these mods, I don't want anyone saying "it's your car, do what you want" that isn't helpful, just your opinion, nothing else. Thanks to anyone who replies. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menoporsche Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Opinion from what viewpoint? Value for money, taste, resale ease? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topbox Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 My thoughts on mods are you rarely get your money back when you sell, so how long to you intend to keep the car. Will they really increase pleasure, heated seats may well do but if they arethat important why did you not get a car with 'em in? Some people enjoy doing mods, thats fine, it gives you a sense of ownership, it might be the main reason they own it and looking at the tiny miles sone cover in a year is evidence for that. All fine. I rather like original older cars that are not messed with. I would sooner put the money into a an overall better car, than mod the one I have. Plus I like driving mine, 10,000 unnecssary fun miles this year and my daugher is studying Enviromental Sustainability at Uni, whoops ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terryg Posted January 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 44 minutes ago, Menoporsche said: Opinion from what viewpoint? Value for money, taste, resale ease? Your viewpoint Meno, whatever that may be. 44 minutes ago, Topbox said: My thoughts on mods are you rarely get your money back when you sell, so how long to you intend to keep the car. Will they really increase pleasure, heated seats may well do but if they arethat important why did you not get a car with 'em in? Some people enjoy doing mods, thats fine, it gives you a sense of ownership, it might be the main reason they own it and looking at the tiny miles sone cover in a year is evidence for that. All fine. I rather like original older cars that are not messed with. I would sooner put the money into a an overall better car, than mod the one I have. Plus I like driving mine, 10,000 unnecssary fun miles this year and my daugher is studying Enviromental Sustainability at Uni, whoops ! I bought the seats at a really good price and they happen to be heated, they needed work but since I can repair leather it didn't really matter and I knew I couldn'tlose if I decide not to fit them and just sell them on. I suppose I love the 986 in most respects but there are those little things that niggle me like the steering wheel being just a bit too big, the gearlever having too long a throw for a sports car and it is because I do actually drive my car that those things niggle me. If she was a garage queen I would keep her totally original as I do respect that line of thought. Thanks gents for your feedback (I am anticipating there will be some @Menoporsche Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topbox Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Yes its interesting Terry, I did not mean to be unduley crictical on the seat thing althought it souns that way in retrospect. The things that annoy you about a car, for me, are the things that give a car its particlar character. A short throw shift is somthing I might do as it does not alter the appearnce and you can fit a 987 one, an after market steering wheel, never. I am not a big fan of the 986 headlights but the knowledge of what the designer were trying to acheive, for me, are a reminder that sometimes the best fail a bit and can' t quite get the outcome desired, in this case aesthetics suffer over the practicality of an all in one light unit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clivescoobydo Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Keep it standard would be my view. I can understand the short shift as this bugs me but imho there's a fine line between buggering about to much that puts of potential buyers in the future. I tend to modify motorbikes more tail tidy, pipe, carbon etc. as they come out of the factory muted but cars I'm not so sure about. Just my view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulQ Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 If I had to go back to the standard steering wheel and shifter, I would probably sell my car. I'm not really into mods as such, but if there is something that I find annoying or that diminishes my driving pleasure, then I like to try and do something about it. I would certainly be more reluctant about doing mods to a newer or more valuable car though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el 3.2S Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 There may be a small percentage of potential buyers who are put off by modifications. I am pretty sure there is a much larger group of potential buyers who are not and who will appreciate a good car for what it is, mods and all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason986S Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Mods dont put me off, as long as they are quality parts that are well thought about and don’t make the car worse for the sake of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
map Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 @Terryg - make the changes, they are still reversible if originality becomes your thing at some point in the future. The main thing is that you're changing the contact points - of all the elements in any car they're the bit you're in contact with the most - alter these to suit your preferences and your enjoyment will increase. My own car is significantly tweaked (only bodyshell is unchanged save the characterful markings of a life lived) which makes it my car and for me that's important. My decision wasn't financial albeit I didn't buy newer replacement cars and so I didn't see a depreciation outlay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terryg Posted January 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Thanks guys, I always keep the original parts but right now I can' see myself selling the car anyway, I think I have to give it a go and I am going to try not to cut any wiring if possible. By the way I am a clear lenses man, that was the first change, still have the original ambers of course and they are in excellent condition so in a way I am preserving them. @Topbox no offence was taken, I was just explaining why I got the seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billzeebub Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Sound like good mods for an increased bond with the car. I would say to anyone modding their 986 to keep the original bits as I feel value in future will be with originality. You are obviously doing this which is good. The console delete kit mod that you have already done is something I love. It frees up space and makes the car feel more special in the GT2/3/supercar ethos. All Boxsters should have come like that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maz23 Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 3 hours ago, el 3.2S said: There may be a small percentage of potential buyers who are put off by modifications. I am pretty sure there is a much larger group of potential buyers who are not and who will appreciate a good car for what it is, mods and all! Very true .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perleman Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 I always mod every car I have. There are mods, and mods if you know what I mean BoXa.net will always have a buyer for your car at the right price Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edc Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 10 minutes ago, perleman said: I always mod every car I have. There are mods, and mods if you know what I mean BoXa.net will always have a buyer for your car at the right price Mods covers a wide range of things. Lairy body kits and chintzy wheels aren't my thing. To look at my car you wouldn't even know it's nodded but it has a lot relatively under the skin. I'd just go for it. Practically everything is reversible. The mods are there for a reason to make a change in the direction you want to go. A standard car is a good thing but in the same way that when people buy new there is lots of choice on the options list you can add character, traits and performance you won't otherwise get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topbox Posted January 6, 2018 Report Share Posted January 6, 2018 Enjoyed this thread. Yes, @edc I hate daft body kits and shouty stuff and as you say your car is much modded but they are unseen and very much for your own pleasure. @T24RES likes an understated mod too and as people point out and I sometimes forget, mods can be reversed. I can understand why people mod. but have predjudice against them as so many to my eyes are ghastly in appearence and weak in purpose. If I ever own a pair of Chippendale chairs I would not upholster them in a bit of pink PVC, even if I could change them back. I trained to restore antiqarian books for a living, so value original feautures and a bit of patina, which explains a lot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terryg Posted January 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2018 @Topbox @edc There won't be any daft bods kits I can promise you, I love the clean simple lines so even side skits and different spoilers are out. The real issue for me is that my car sits in the middle of the "condition" spectrum, it is tidier than most but by no means concours and I like to drive it reasonably hard so the steering wheel is an issue and I would like a lower seats. I don't think the chairs analogy really works as Boxsters are not rare or priceless (yet ) , if I had a 356 for example it would be bog standard not just because of its value, but also because, lets face it, it is never going to be modern drivers car. Patina is a difficult one, I too value it on furniture etc., but I don't like creating it on a car (leaving dents and scratches and calling them patina) even though if I owned a very old and unmolested car I would leave it that way. So patina is good on wood, leather and unfinished metal objects such as statues, on car bodywork it normally equates to neglect. So I am sure you have come to the conclusion I am "over thinking" this (story of my life, I sweat the small stuff and do things rashly on a grand scale|), but Iam glad the thread provoked some interest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southy Posted January 7, 2018 Report Share Posted January 7, 2018 Go for it. Make the car your own. I have done quite a few mods to mine but you would be hard pressed to see them. Everything visible I've done would have be be available as an option when new, red seat belts, rear speakers, coloured centre console etc. I feel more open to modding areas you can't see like the manifolds, by pass mod, larger throttle body, ecu remap. The future value of a 986 will be cars that are original, due to the numbers made this is way off and as always any car could find a buyer. Mod your car and have fun with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason986S Posted January 7, 2018 Report Share Posted January 7, 2018 Fitting genuine or branded parts tastefully is the way. Just do it, enjoy it then worry about iriginality later. These are older cars now and unless silly low mileage “purist originality” isnt worth worrying about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harri986 Posted January 7, 2018 Report Share Posted January 7, 2018 Definately do it Terry.Ive got the same seats in mine and havn't looked back.A little lower and better at holding everything in in the twisties.Not too difficult to put back to standard either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topbox Posted January 7, 2018 Report Share Posted January 7, 2018 Hi @Terryg the chairs thing, for me, works, it is exactly my point. Why do things have to be old, rare and pricless for people to respect them for what they are and how they are. A 986 is a sports car whose gear change has a long throw. Perhaps that characteristic reflects something of the sense of superioriy the brand has of itself - we dont need short snicky little gear changers to keep an advantage we have power presteige and confiedence in our in proceeding. Patina, for me, is not neglect, its how a thing looks that has been cared for while being used, its a fine line, not all objects acquire it, quite what that means on car bodywork is something difficult to quantify, which is why I find it interesting. Modding is lots of fun and I enjoy seeing what people do to their cars, the process is part of automotive history, while I can embrace that I also believe a lot of it spoils a good car. Others can and will disagree of course and by their mods I will know them ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terryg Posted January 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2018 @Billzeebub complete agree with the comment about console delete, the 986 is old school and it looks better without the centre console as well as giving more legroom, definitely one of my favourite mods. @Harri986 did the electrics work out easily and do the have heaters? On another note I drove the car today for the first time in ages as I was home in Ireland for Christmas. When I used to park her up the gearbox would be awful for the first few miles on startup, since fitting Jims roller bearings to the SSK it is nearly perfect even from stone cold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harri986 Posted January 7, 2018 Report Share Posted January 7, 2018 The connections are different .mine came with them still connected but with a length of wire attached.I had a local specialist fit them as I didn't want to be messing anywhere near airbags in fear of them going off.No seat heating on mine either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terryg Posted January 7, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2018 13 minutes ago, Topbox said: Hi @Terryg the chairs thing, for me, works, it is exactly my point. Why do things have to be old, rare and pricless for people to respect them for what they are and how they are. A 986 is a sports car whose gear change has a long throw. Perhaps that characteristic reflects something of the sense of superioriy the brand has of itself - we dont need short snicky little gear changers to keep an advantage we have power presteige and confiedence in our in proceeding. Patina, for me, is not neglect, its how a thing looks that has been cared for while being used, its a fine line, not all objects acquire it, quite what that means on car bodywork is something difficult to quantify, which is why I find it interesting. Modding is lots of fun and I enjoy seeing what people do to their cars, the process is part of automotive history, while I can embrace that I also believe a lot of it spoils a good car. Others can and will disagree of course and by their mods I will know them ? Sorry Topbox we shall have to disagree on many of those things, I own a sports car primarily to drive and enjoy it, the gearshift in particular spoils that and it is certainly number one or two (console delete) on my "must mod" list especially as it doesn't alter appearance. There are many things we don't need (sports cars for example) but if we are going to have them we may as well make them work properly and that is not necessarily showing a lack of respect for the object, in the case of the 986 it is precisely that it is so good that we want to iron out the few flaws, With regard to patina I don't think we really disagree, I didn't say it was always neglect but in terms of bodywork I have often heard dents and damage described as patina. Having said all that, I invited opinion and I genuinely thank you for sharing yours!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topbox Posted January 7, 2018 Report Share Posted January 7, 2018 Thanks for the oportunity for an interesting discussion, we are fortunate to be able to enjoy such an unimportant disagreement, enjoy your car @Terryg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.