INSIDE The Car Guy Mind: WHY Do You Do ALL This When You Could Just Go Buy A Ford Raptor? For LESS.

Spies. We have to have a talk. No, it won't be as awkward as the one you had with your parents about the birds and the bees.

This one is a bit different.

We've been chewing on this one for a bit. Although we're all for personalization, customization and making one's vehicle stand out, it seems that it becomes illogical at a certain point.

Most folks understand that with any modification, you'll essentially NEVER see that money come back.

So WHY would one take a Jeep Wrangler, and spend the cost of the vehicle on aftermarket parts, to turn it into a FrankenJeep? WHY would the owner of a standard BMW 3-Series spend boatloads of cash to turn their 330i into an M3? You can just go and buy an M3, which in some cases, will cost LESS.

Help us understand, Spies! How does THIS car guy's mind work?

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 1/18/2020 6:32:47 PM

+6 Boost

My guess is that the building/creating process is much more satisfying to these people than just cutting a check. I would have to agree.

PUGPROUD - 1/18/2020 6:59:57 PM

0 Boost

The heart wants what the heart wants.

TomM - 1/18/2020 7:59:10 PM

+2 Boost

Over the decades - when money WAS an issue - I and my kids put back together dozens of cars - that I could not have afforded to purchase in decent condition. IT was a lot easier when an engine had one Vacuum hose (For the Vacuum advance of course) and eventually we got pretty good at it. There is a certain feeling you get with driving a car made from a variety of parts some of which were not designed to be compatible. And my kids still do their basic maintenance on their cars. It is - I guess - something like driving a manual - at an even higher level. Can you purchase the same car - probably not - and it certainly was not available 50 years ago. For example - most of the cars we made came with GM automatics - because they were the best at it back then. That led to a lot of interesting "adapters". WE also did our own upholstery which led to things that you really could not get otherwise.

Today you would need to be a computer wizard to do all but the basic body work and interior - and a lot of the fun is simply no longer really possible within the constraint of money. And of course, now money is not an issue for me at all - age is. Even so. I still had my Front Driver's seat moved back a little to allow a Leg that has limited movement to get into the car easier. I probably would not have even thought about that if I had not the experience I have had.

MDarringer - 1/19/2020 8:22:03 AM

0 Boost

#1 This may be an irrelevant consideration: "Most folks understand that with any modification, you'll essentially NEVER see that money come back." It may falsely assume that the person expects to do a trade in with in short-term rather than keep it long-term.

#2 Gingerbread is essential for Posh Boy off-roaders.

#3 This is no different than the people who buy the Porsche 911 GT3RSTurboGTRS or an Audi RSRSSRSSSRS

Agent00R - 1/19/2020 3:35:44 PM

0 Boost

Regarding your points, Matt..

!) Yes, you're right there. Didn't even think of that...

2) Haha!

3) IDK. Those vehicles are quite different from the factory and, typically, hold better value down the road. The whole point of this story is why would you go overboard when you can get an equally great factory product.

MDarringer - 1/19/2020 9:07:43 PM

0 Boost

#3 The point is that special edition BS is hype and expense without a commensurate return for the radically increased cost.

pauerb - 1/19/2020 8:48:14 AM

+3 Boost

While mods aren't my thing I imagine individuality and having a unique vehicle plays a role.